Iraqi football legend Neshat Akram sparked a wide debate with his angry statement about not being awarded the 'Asian Player of the Year' in 2007, insisting he was more deserving of it than Saudi star Yasser Al-Qahtani at the time. Neshat Akram came in second, while his compatriot Younis Mahmoud came in third. Neshat Akram said on the 'Al Majlis' program, broadcast on Al Kass Sports channel: 'The 2007 Asian Player of the Year award was stolen from me... I was Asia's champion, the best player in two tournament matches, including the final, as well as the best player in four AFC Champions League matches.' The former Iraqi star explained: 'I was the best by the numbers, but I didn't have influence in the Asian Football Confederation, and I confirm to you from here, even after 20 years, if Lionel Messi were to get Iraqi citizenship, he would not win the award.' He continued: 'I am not sad that Yasser Al-Qahtani won the award; he deserved it, and I congratulated him and shook his hand on stage when he was crowned, and I told him he deserved to win. It did not go to a player who didn't deserve it, but the award should have been won by one of us, either me or Younis Mahmoud, because by the numbers, we were the best.' It is worth noting that the Iraqi national team won the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in its history in 2007, after defeating the Saudi national team in the final with a goal by Younis Mahmoud.
