Misagh bombastic
24-year-old Filipino-iranian Misagh Bahadoran talks about football, groupies, and keeping his pants on.
Just attempting to say “Misagh Bahadoran” is a mouthful, but the face behind the name proves to be an absolute treat. A forward for Global FC and a winger for our homegrown Azkals, the Filipino-Iranian is far from your stereotypical jock.
He began a course in optometry before deciding to switch to dentistry, following his father’s wishes for him to earn a degree before taking on the gamble of an athletic life. He also dabbles in business, engaging in ventures that aren’t to be confused with his rising number of endorsements.
As if that weren’t enough, this is a guy who opens doors for ladies, speaks with genuine love for football fans, and is armed with a serious sense of humor. (Feel free to swoon now.) Just when you thought life was fair, here comes the total package.
SUPREME: The Filipino masses weren’t always interested in football, and the Azkals made everyone much more aware. As someone who plays the sport, how does that change things for you?
MISAGH BAHADORAN: When I
first came here, only a few people knew about football. Now there are so many and they know all the players better than me.
(Laughs.) Athletic life is very hard. We have
to sacrifice a lot of things — family, going out, not eating this or that food, coaches screaming at you, people putting pressure on you, good moods, bad moods — it’s really hard. Before, we had to pay to play football. You know: (gestures as though paying someone) “What do you think? Can I
play?” (Laughs.) If you wanted to play before, you had to buy your own jersey. But now we have sponsors, and it feels good that people appreciate us.
Was football always something you wanted to end up doing? What made you decide to take up dentistry?
My dad wanted me to finish college before becoming a football player. You never
know, if you get injured, you can be out for the rest of your life. Or if you get old. This is realistic. He wanted me to have a back-up. But after I graduated, the next day I joined the national team. I didn’t even get my diploma. I said, “Hey Dad, I’ve graduated, now I need to do what I want.”
But now you’re doing more than just football, right?
I have a little taxi business. The taxis are called Misagh also. I also started importing tiles and basmati rice. And it’s not all about the money. Money works, because it is business.
But when we finish business, we still remember each other. I don’t want, after the contract is done, for them to say, “Hey, that guy was so bad.” I’d prefer to pay them instead. (Laughs.)
You also have a lot of endorsements to your name. Is there anything you wouldn’t do when you’re modeling?
I used to not do topless, but it’s not so bad anymore. In (the Cosmo Bachelor Bash), I was the only one with a jacket on. (Laughs.) I’m not an
FHM or Cosmo guy, I’m an athlete. My pants don’t come off. I respect myself. It’s not being conservative; people have different values, different ideas, different beliefs. But when I endorse, I try to respect the products to show that I appreciate them choosing me as their endorser.
Your appreciation of people is one of the things that stand out about you. How much do the football fans mean to you?
I love them. Sometimes in Bacolod after the game, I shake hands with the whole stadium. I’m just running,
high-fiving everyone, and my team’s wondering what I’m doing. I just want to appreciate them.
Last Tuesday, I was a red card in the
final. I couldn’t play, but I was with the fans. I felt the hard work that they do. It’s like the work they do is harder than
us playing on the field. The way they
jump, the way they shout.
So, the question that everyone wants answered is: Are you single and available?
I’m not single. There are rumors that I’m courting Melai, but it’s not true. I have a girlfriend, so why do they do that? It’s all over the place.
What do you look for in someone you’re dating, then?
I’m not a person who looks for beauty. If she has a good heart, and loves you for who you are, not what you have, then that’s good.
I’m sure there are a lot of groupies, especially with a team that looks like yours. As someone who’s in a relationship, how do you deal with that?
What are groupies?
Girls who… um, how do I explain it?
Girls who… want… something?
Yes.
I know they want me, but I just see them as my friend. I don’t want to think like, “Oh, this girl wants something from me.” As long as you don’t do anything, nothing’s going to happen. If she comes to you, it’s up to you to decide. It’s your choice.
I don’t want to say I’m famous, because that’s a very mayabang word. But if you have something special like this, it doesn’t mean you should take advantage of it. You should always remember who you were. I used to ride the jeepney, and now just because I have a car, it doesn’t mean I can walk around with my nose up in the air.
That’s nice to hear.
You know, money can’t really buy you happiness. You can have the best clothes, the nicest things, but if you’re unhappy, at the end of the story, it’s like you don’t have anything. I’d prefer to not have anything, and just have a moment of quiet by a beach somewhere.