1. Early Life and Education
Seyyed Jalal Hosseini's early life and academic pursuits laid the foundation for his disciplined career in football.
1.1. Birth and Early Life
Hosseini was born on 3 February 1982 in Bandar-e Anzali, Gilan Province, Iran. He is the second of five sons born to Jahan Hosseini. His younger brother, Jamal Hosseini, also pursued a career in professional football.
1.2. Education
Hosseini majored in German Studies, indicating an academic interest beyond his burgeoning football career. He also later pursued studies in law in 2007.
2. Club Career
Hosseini's club career spanned several prominent Iranian and Qatari teams, marked by consistent success and numerous titles, particularly in the Persian Gulf Pro League.
2.1. Malavan F.C.
Hosseini began his professional career at his hometown club, Malavan, in 2002. During his tenure until 2005, he made 86 appearances and scored 2 goals. He played a significant role in Malavan's success, contributing to their runner-up finish in the 2003-04 Iran 2nd League, which secured their promotion to the Persian Gulf Pro League for the subsequent season.
2.2. Saipa F.C.
In the summer of 2005, Hosseini transferred from Malavan to Saipa. Prior to this move, there were discussions about him joining Persepolis, but the transfer did not materialize. At Saipa, he quickly established himself as a vital player. In the 2005-06 season, he was the most consistent player for the club, making 28 full appearances and scoring one goal. He continued his strong performances in the 2006-07 season, with 26 appearances and one goal, contributing significantly to Saipa winning the league title. His contributions also extended to the AFC Champions League matches for Saipa. During his time at Saipa until the 2008-09 season, he accumulated 125 appearances and 8 goals, and was recognized as the Persian Gulf Pro League Defender of the Year for two consecutive seasons (2006-07 and 2007-08).
2.3. Sepahan F.C.
Hosseini joined Sepahan in the summer of 2009, immediately becoming a regular starter. His period at Sepahan was highly successful, as he won the Persian Gulf Pro League three times in a row, from the 2009-10 to the 2011-12 seasons. After three years and 94 league appearances, during which he scored 4 goals, Hosseini departed the club in 2012, having cemented his reputation as one of the league's most established and formidable centre-backs. His exceptional performances during this period also earned him a selection for the AFC Annual Best XI in 2011.
2.4. Persepolis F.C. (First Stint)
In 2012, Hosseini signed a one-year contract with Persepolis. He extended his contract for another year in February 2013, remaining with the team until 2014. During this first stint, he was widely regarded as the best defender in the Iran Pro League. He was a crucial player in Persepolis's second-place league finish in 2014 and also contributed to their runner-up position in the 2012-13 Hazfi Cup. For his outstanding performance, Hosseini was named the best defender in the 2013-14 season by the Iran Football Federation and was also included in the 2013-14 Persian Gulf Pro League Team of the Year. He made 64 appearances and scored 2 goals over two seasons.
2.5. Al-Ahli SC (Doha)
On 17 July 2014, Hosseini moved abroad, signing a one-year contract with Qatar Stars League club Al-Ahli. He made 26 official appearances for the club, helping them to a fifth-place finish in the league and securing qualification for the 2016 GCC Champions League. He departed the club in May 2015.
2.6. Naft Tehran F.C.
After his spell in Qatar, Hosseini returned to Iran in the summer of 2015, joining Persian Gulf Pro League runners-up Naft Tehran. With Hosseini's contributions, Naft Tehran reached the quarter-finals of the 2015 AFC Champions League. He made 28 appearances and scored 2 goals for the club. Midway through the season, Hosseini and many other Naft players and management had disputes with the club's board due to unpaid wages. As a result of these issues, he left the club before the 2016-17 season. Despite the short tenure, he was recognized as the League Best Defender and included in the 2015-16 League Team of the Year.
2.7. Persepolis F.C. (Second Stint)
In the spring of 2016, after extensive negotiations, Hosseini announced his return to his former club, Persepolis. Shortly after rejoining, he was appointed as the club captain for the 2016-17 season. His second stint at Persepolis was highly successful, as he led the team to an unprecedented five consecutive Persian Gulf Pro League titles from 2016-17 to 2020-21. He was an indisputable player and played a pivotal role in the team's dominance. The Asian Football Confederation website described him as a "solid defender" for Persepolis.
Under his captaincy, Persepolis also won the 2018-19 Hazfi Cup and four consecutive Iranian Super Cups (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020). He also led the team to two AFC Champions League runner-up finishes in 2018 and 2020. Individually, he continued to earn accolades, including being named Navad Player of the Month twice (November and December 2017), and receiving the League Defender of the Year award for three consecutive seasons (2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19). He was also part of the League Team of the Year for three consecutive seasons (2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19) and was recognized as an "Iran's AFC Champions League Legend."
On 25 June 2022, Hosseini officially confirmed his retirement from football as a player, describing the decision as "difficult" but "right." At the time of his retirement, with 9 league titles, he was considered the most honorable and unattainable Iranian player in terms of domestic league championships. The sports news outlet Varzesh 3 marked his retirement as the "start of the Superman in a coaching suit," expressing hopes for his immediate transition into coaching.
3. International Career
Hosseini's international career saw him represent Iran at various levels, from the U-23 team to the senior national squad, participating in numerous significant tournaments.
3.1. Youth Career
Hosseini was a member of the Iran U-23 national team. He participated as a wild card player in the 2006 Asian Games in Qatar, where he played a crucial role in leading Iran to a bronze medal. He also participated in the 2010 Asian Games, where Iran finished fourth.
3.2. Senior National Team Career
Hosseini made his debut for the senior national team in a friendly match against Belarus in February 2007. He quickly became an integral part of Team Melli. In July 2007, he was called up again and played in all four of Iran's matches at the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, scoring his first international goal in the opening match against Uzbekistan.
He was consistently called up for various qualification campaigns, including the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification and 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification, as well as the 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification and 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification. He also featured prominently in the 2010 West Asian Football Federation Championship, where he scored one goal and helped the team reach the final, and the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, where Iran reached the quarter-finals.
On 1 June 2014, Hosseini was selected by coach Carlos Queiroz for Iran's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where Iran competed in the group stage. He was subsequently called into Iran's squad for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup on 30 December 2014. On 24 March 2016, Hosseini earned his 100th international cap in a match against the Indian national team, becoming a member of the prestigious Century Club. In October 2016, France Football magazine selected Hosseini as one of the top three defenders in the world during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.
In May 2018, he was named in Iran's preliminary squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia but ultimately did not make the final 23-man roster. On 1 December 2018, Seyyed Jalal Hosseini officially announced his retirement from international football, concluding his national team career with a record of 115 appearances and 8 goals.
4. Player Profile
Seyyed Jalal Hosseini is renowned for his exceptional defensive capabilities and leadership qualities, making him one of the most respected figures in Iranian football.
4.1. Style of Play
Hosseini is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders in the history of Iranian football. His playing style was characterized by exceptional tactical awareness, impressive athleticism, intelligent positioning, and an aggressive yet disciplined approach. These attributes allowed him to effectively lead his team's defensive efforts. He possessed a high running rate, strong fighting spirit, and excellent ball-cutting ability. Beyond his technical and physical prowess, Hosseini was also recognized as a player who deeply respected the legacy of the Persepolis club, embodying strong ethics in sports.
5. Career Statistics
5.1. Club
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Malavan | 2002-03 | Pro League | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | _ | 24 | 0 | ||
| 2003-04 | Azadegan League | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | _ | 30 | 0 | |||
| 2004-05 | Pro League | 30 | 2 | 2 | 0 | - | _ | 32 | 2 | |||
| Total | 84 | 2 | 2 | 0 | - | _ | 86 | 2 | ||||
| Saipa | 2005-06 | Pro League | 28 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | _ | 28 | 1 | ||
| 2006-07 | 26 | 3 | 2 | 0 | - | _ | 28 | 3 | ||||
| 2007-08 | 34 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | _ | 39 | 1 | |||
| 2008-09 | 29 | 3 | 1 | 0 | - | _ | 30 | 3 | ||||
| Total | 117 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | _ | 125 | 8 | |||
| Sepahan | 2009-10 | Pro League | 31 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | _ | 38 | 2 | |
| 2010-11 | 33 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 0 | _ | 46 | 2 | |||
| 2011-12 | 30 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | _ | 38 | 2 | |||
| Total | 94 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 22 | 2 | _ | 122 | 6 | |||
| Persepolis | 2012-13 | Pro League | 30 | 1 | 5 | 0 | - | _ | 35 | 1 | ||
| 2013-14 | 27 | 1 | 2 | 0 | - | _ | 29 | 1 | ||||
| Total | 57 | 2 | 7 | 0 | - | _ | 64 | 2 | ||||
| Al-Ahli | 2014-15 | QSL | 25 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | _ | 26 | 0 | ||
| Naft Tehran | 2015-16 | Pro League | 24 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | _ | 28 | 2 | |
| Persepolis | 2016-17 | Pro League | 27 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | _ | 35 | 1 | |
| 2017-18 | 20 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 1 | _ | 35 | 1 | |||
| 2018-19 | 29 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 1 | _ | 39 | 2 | |||
| 2019-20 | 18 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | _ | 22 | 0 | |||
| 2020-21 | 25 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 38 | 6 | ||
| 2021-22 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 0 | ||
| Total | 138 | 6 | 13 | 0 | 39 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 192 | 10 | ||
| Career total | 539 | 24 | 34 | 0 | 68 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 643 | 30 | ||
5.2. International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iran | 2007 | 11 | 1 |
| 2008 | 16 | 1 | |
| 2009 | 14 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 12 | 1 | |
| 2011 | 13 | 2 | |
| 2012 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 8 | 1 | |
| 2014 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2016 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 115 | 8 | |
:Scores and results list Iran's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Hosseini goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 July 2007 | Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Uzbekistan | 1-1 | 2-1 | 2007 AFC Asian Cup |
| 2 | 26 March 2008 | Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait | Kuwait | 2-0 | 2-2 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 3 | 1 October 2010 | Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan | Iraq | 1-0 | 2-1 | WAFF 2010 |
| 4 | 17 July 2011 | Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran | Madagascar | 1-0 | 1-0 | Friendly |
| 5 | 11 October 2011 | Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran | Bahrain | 1-0 | 6-0 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 6 | 15 October 2013 | Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran | Thailand | 1-0 | 2-1 | 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 7 | 8 October 2015 | Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat, Oman | Oman | 1-1 | 1-1 | 2018 WCQ and 2019 ACQ |
| 8 | 6 October 2016 | Bunyodkor Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan | Uzbekistan | 1-0 | 1-0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
6. Honours
Seyyed Jalal Hosseini's career was marked by a remarkable collection of team and individual accolades, establishing him as one of the most decorated players in Iranian football history.
6.1. Club Honours
- Saipa
- Persian Gulf Pro League: 2006-07
- Sepahan
- Persian Gulf Pro League: 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12
- Persepolis
- Persian Gulf Pro League: 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21
- Persian Gulf Pro League runner-up: 2013-14
- Hazfi Cup: 2018-19
- Hazfi Cup runner-up: 2012-13
- Iranian Super Cup: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
- AFC Champions League runner-up: 2018, 2020
6.2. National Team Honours
- Iran U23
- Asian Games Bronze Medal: 2006
6.3. Individual Honours
- Persian Gulf Pro League Defender of the Year: 2006-07, 2007-08, 2013-14, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 (7 times)
- Persian Gulf Pro League Team of the Year: 2013-14, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 (5 times)
- AFC Annual Best XI: 2011
- Navad Player of the Month: November 2017, December 2017
- AFC Champions League OPTA Best XI: 2018
- Iran's AFC Champions League Legend
7. Personal Life
Seyyed Jalal Hosseini is the second of five sons of Jahan Hosseini. His younger brother, Jamal Hosseini, also became a professional footballer. In January 2010, Hosseini married his long-term girlfriend. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Noura, on 18 December 2013. Their second daughter, Mila, was born on 15 February 2016.
8. Post-retirement Career
Following his retirement as a player on 25 June 2022, Seyyed Jalal Hosseini transitioned into a coaching role. He joined his former club, Persepolis, as an assistant coach, beginning in 2022. In this capacity, he contributed to Persepolis's continued success, including winning the 2022-23 Persian Gulf Pro League title, the 2022-23 Hazfi Cup, and the 2023 Iranian Super Cup.
9. Assessment and Legacy
Seyyed Jalal Hosseini is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest defenders in the history of Iranian football. His career is distinguished by his exceptional leadership, tactical acumen, and consistent high-level performance across multiple clubs and for the national team. He holds the remarkable distinction of being the most decorated player in the Iranian football league, a testament to his enduring impact and success. His dedication to the sport, coupled with his ethical conduct, has solidified his legacy as an exemplary figure and a true legend of Iranian football.