Ali Kadhim

Striker Ali Kadhim was one of Iraq’s most prominent international football players who, between 1970 and 1980, scored 35 goals in 82 appearances with the national team, both of which were records at the time of his retirement. His tenure with the squad saw him capture three World Military Cups in 1972, 1977, and 1979, in addition to coming runner-up in 1973. He also appeared at the 1980 Summer Olympics, where Iraq came second in the preliminary round by defeating Costa Rica 3-0 and holding Finland and pool winner Yugoslavia to 0-0 and 1-1 draws respectively. The team was then eliminated in the quarter finals by upcoming silver medalist East Germany. Kadhim played in all four matches.

Domestically, Kadhim spent his entire career (1968-1982) with Al Zawraa, winning the Iraqi Premier League and the FA Cup three times each (1976, 1977, 1979 and 1976, 1979, 1981 respectively). He was also loaned to Al Shorta in 1978, helping them win that year’s Arab Police Championships. After his retirement from active competition, he took on managing, both in Iraq – including a stint with his old club – and abroad, but his career was cut short by a chronic illness that eventually claimed his life in January 2018.