Baghdad, Iraq, February 11, 2022: The President of the Iraq National Olympic Committee, Raad Hammoudi, attended a ceremony unveiling a statue of Iraqi football legend Ahmed Radhi at the Al-Shaab international stadium on Thursday, February 10.
Radhi, a former Asian Footballer of the Year, died last year from complications linked to COVID-19. He was 56.
His statue was unveiled by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Adnan Darjal. Along with NOC President Hammoudi, other leading dignitaries at the ceremony included the Mayor of Baghdad, Alaa Maan, and members of the family of Radhi.
Hammoudi paid tribute to Radhi noting that the striker was a “supreme sportsman who would remain in the hearts of all Iraqi fans as long as we live.”
Sports Minister Darjal said: “This step is a small part of repaying the debt to honour the legend of Iraqi football. He was a creative star and we are proud of his legacy.”
Radhi scored what remains as Iraq's only World Cup finals goal in 1986 against Belgium.
He led Iraq to victory in the Gulf Cups in 1984 and 1988, when he was voted Asian Footballer of the Year.
Photos: Iraq NOC
