Young A-League star Daniel Arzani torn between representing Australian or Iran

THE Socceroos may lose out on the services of one of the country’s brightest prospects, with Melbourne City‘s Daniel Arzani admitting he has “no idea” if he wants to play for Australia or Iran.

Daniel Arzani has been a revelation for City after breaking into the starting XI.

THE Socceroos may lose out on the services of one of the country’s brightest prospects, with Melbourne City young gun Daniel Arzani admitting he has “no idea” if he wants to play international football for Australia or Iran.

Arzani was born in Iran to Iranian parents, but was raised in Sydney, making him eligible to represent both nations.

The 19-year-old attacking midfielder has been a revelation since breaking in to City’s first XI in early January.

Daniel Arzani has been a revelation for City after breaking into the starting XI.

And Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold - who may yet be the Socceroos boss after this year’s World Cup - has even touted Arzani as a potential bolter for the Socceroos squad for Russia, something which a flattered Arzani said on Thursday morning he is “not thinking too much about” yet.

But with this potential international tug-of-war looming, Arzani may even be an outside chance of featuring in Iran’s squad in June, with suggestions he is already on the radar of Team Melli coach Carlos Queiroz.

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Asked directly who he would choose today if both Australia and Iran came calling, Arzani baulked at providing a definitive answer.

“I’ve got no idea,” Arzani said.

“To be honest, I haven’t really thought about it at all.

“I was born in Iran, but raised in Australia. I’d have to talk to my parents, my father, and we’d have to decide together.”

City players swamp Daniel Arzani.

Arzani’s existing City contract expires at the end of this season, with Sydney FC and Western Sydney said to be among those interested in poaching the talented teen.

But Arzani is comfortable with the contract situation, as he said there is a “clause in my contract that extends me to next season” if certain requirements are met.

He said he has no pre-conceived idea about when he would like to ply his trade abroad, only to say that “I think you’ve got to achieve something in the A-League first” before making a move.

And he also said the pathways that Melbourne City provides to the rest of the world - a la Aaron Mooy’s move to Huddersfield Town via Manchester City - made remaining at his current club all the more appealing.

“It’s very exciting,” he said.

“We all know about the connections the City Football Group has.

“But I think at the end of the day anything only comes about if you’re performing. And if you’re not performing nothing will happen, so I’ve just got to keep going.”

Originally published as Young A-League star Daniel Arzani torn between representing Australian or Iran