Biography
Who is Nashat Akram?
Early life and career beginnings
Nashat Akram Abid Ali Al-Eissa was born in Hillah, Iraq, on September 12, 1984. He began his senior football path at Salahaddin FC, debuting during the 1999 to 2000 season under coach Ammo Baba. He scored his first competitive goal for the team on January 3, 2000, in a 6-1 victory against Al-Samawa during the Iraq FA Cup.
In 2000, he transferred to the Iraqi club Al-Shorta. During his time there, he became a regular starter and helped the team win the Baghdad Championship. His performance drew attention from scouts and analysts who identified him as a top prospect in Asian football. He was later nominated for the Asian Young Footballer of the Year award.
International success and club career
The midfielder became a crucial member of the Iraq national team, especially contributing to their victory in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup. In the final, he was named man of the match and earned a spot in the Team of the Tournament. He also finished third in the voting for the 2007 AFC Footballer of the Year.
Over the course of his professional career, he played for several clubs across different countries. He achieved league titles with Saudi club Al-Shabab, Qatari side Al-Gharafa, and Dutch team FC Twente. He also had stints with Al Ain FC, Al-Wakrah, Lekhwiya, and Al-Nasr Dubai. In 2013, he returned to Al-Shorta, where he helped lead the team to an Iraqi Premier League title before his eventual departure.
Transfer challenges and style of play
Known by supporters as The Maestro, he played primarily as an attacking midfielder or playmaker. He was recognized for his vision, accurate passing, and ability to score from long distances. Despite his talent, his attempt to join the Premier League club Manchester City in 2008 was unsuccessful. Although he impressed during a trial, he could not secure a work permit because Iraq's FIFA ranking was outside the world's top 70 at that time.
His career included various challenges, including financial disputes at Al-Nassr regarding unpaid wages and injury setbacks at FC Twente. Following his time abroad, he returned to Iraq to play for Al-Shorta, where he took on leadership roles as captain. He concluded his time there in early 2014 before transferring to the Chinese club Dalian Aerbin.
Birthday and age
Nashat Akram was born on September 12, 1984, which makes Nashat 42 years old today. That birthday falls under the Virgo sign. Nashat shares the date with 62 other famous people.
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