Reza Ghoochannejad decided that he will quit playing for Team Melli in protest after not being given any playing time in FIFA World Cup Russia 2018.

Gucci was the only goalscorer in the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 and played a major part in the team. Four years later, however, Queiroz was not sure if Ghoochannejad, who had his best ever professional season in Holland, will be as useful in Russia as he was in Brazil.

Reza Ghoochannejad (31 years) who plays for SC Heerenveen in the Dutch league, was an unused substitute in all the three Iran matches against Morocco, Spain and Portugal.