XtraTime Web Desk: From now on Iran’s goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand will belong in that limited category of goalkeepers who can say, “I’ve saved a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo.”
It can be called as a record in the history of World Cup because he is the first goalkeeper who has saved a penalty of CR7 on the grandest stage.
But his journey to play for his nation in the World Cup in Russia is more inspirational than the heroics he did tonight against one of the best footballers of the current generation.
Alireza ran away from his parents and home to become a professional footballer which was his childhood dream. And for that reason, he was homeless for some time as well.
He worked in a dress factory, in a car wash company and as a street cleaner as well to feed himself and fulfill his dream.
“I slept by the club’s door and when I got up in the morning I noticed the coins that people had dropped for me,” he said.
“They had thought I was a beggar! Well, I had a delicious breakfast for the first time in a long while.”
After a huge amount of hard work and dedication, Beiranvand would become a professional footballer and realise his dream of playing at a World Cup.
Tonight he saved a penalty against Cristiano Ronaldo on the biggest stage of them all.
It has been a remarkable journey for the 25-year old lady. He is another example of the phrase “Never give up”.