New Delhi, 02 March (H.S.): Former Barcelona star Munir El Haddadi has confirmed his safe exit from Iran during intense US and Israeli airstrikes, crediting his club for a perilous overland evacuation that spared him from escalating regional chaos.
The Moroccan forward, who joined Iranian club Esteghlal FC from Spain's CD Leganés in September 2025, was set to fly out but was deboarded from his flight as airspace shut down amid the attacks.
In an Instagram Story in Spanish, he wrote: Thank you all for your messages and concern about my situation in Iran. We planned to leave by plane yesterday, but we were evacuated from the aircraft and couldn't take off.
Esteghlal arranged a car for the grueling border crossing, allowing Munir to slip out without incident. The club provided a vehicle so I could leave by road, he added. I'm now safe in Turkey and will reach Spain in the next few hours. Thank you for your kindness.
A product of Barcelona's famed La Masía academy, Munir played four seasons with the Blaugrana, winning three La Liga titles and the 2015 UEFA Champions League. His Iranian stint turned nightmarish as Middle East tensions peaked Saturday with US-Israel strikes, prompting Iranian retaliation against UAE, Qatar, and Saudi bases.
Reports also emerged Saturday night of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death in a major assault, heightening the crisis and stranding foreign players like Munir.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
