Misagh Bahadoran: Abs-olutely passionate about football

I had to look twice before I fully recognized the shirtless guy in a huge denim billboard in one of the metro’s busiest thoroughfares. Whenever you see well-defined abs, you know there’s a great story behind it.

“You have just earned yourself an interview,” I joked the Azkal and Global FC footballer Misagh Bahadoran. “Your billboards are all over and I am sure your fans would like to know your fitness regimen.”

That was, of course, before the popular fashion brand pulled out his billboard for a new campaign.

Misagh himself was inspired by the billboards so he readily accepted to be on the cover of Muscle & Fitness Philippines. Of course, it helped that his girlfriend Sam Pinto was in the same photo shoot to be the cover girl of Shape Philippines.

Born in Mabalacat, Pampanga to a Kapampangan mother and an Iranian father (who sadly recently passed away), Misagh grew up in Iran with fond memories of playing football in the streets. He fell madly in love with the sport at a very young age. “Back then, the following for the sport wasn’t so developed in the Philippines.There were few football fields to play on,” he recalls.

“We usually played futsal (indoor football) at the basketball courts. I got a lot of attention, when I became a consistent top scorer in the Southeast Asian futsal. This led to an invitation for me to play for the Philippine football team,” he adds.

Even though he showed early signs of excelling in the sport, his father wanted him to focus on finishing his studies, which he obediently followed.  After high school in Pampanga, he took up Dentistry at Centro Escolar University in Manila. 

He relates, “When I graduated in 2011, I made my family know I wanted to pursue football. I did not even attend my graduation. There was training for the National Team on the day of my graduation and I chose to attend the training. But I still have plans to practice Dentistry later on. In fact, I’m about to open my own dental clinic called Global Elite Dental Clinic, where I will sponsor many athletes.”

The lineup of the Philippine Azkals included Stephan Shrock, Lain Ramsay, and Phil Younghusband, which meant he had to make his worth known. “When you see the players who have been playing since childhood with the support of their parents and who grew up playing in well-known leagues, you can easily feel intimidated. I played in the streets, which was totally different. There were no proper areas. It was difficult for me to adjust to playing on a field. But, if it’s your dream, you go after it.”

He goes on to relate, “The World Cup qualifier was tough. Shrock, Ramsay, and Younghusband were playing. I didn’t think I would have the chance to play. However, during the Bahrain game, Shrock got injured. Coach then told me to warm up and I knew that this was my chance to prove myself — the moment I prepared for. After 30 minutes, I scored. Surprisingly, I went on a roll for the succeeding games and that’s how success in sports goes. You have to wait for your chance.”

Preparation is the key to being in excellent, competitive form. So, to stay in peak form, Misagh works out with the goal of getting faster and stronger but lighter. “We don’t need to develop muscles that much, in terms of aesthetics. It is more important to be strong overall. As a winger, I develop my speed, shooting, crossing, and accuracy. Staying light is key.”

He describes his workout regimen: “I need a strong upper body without bulking up. In every sport, you need strong core muscles — I exercise towards getting a stronger core. In our pre-season training regimen, we go to the gym, after a session of shooting and running, to do light strengthening exercises with more reps and light weights. We also do circuits of cardio and bodyweight exercises. Our program always aims to develop our endurance and speed.”

Sacrifices and lifestyle changes were necessary to complement his training regimen. He has to eat right and have sufficient rest, to build enough energy for training. “It takes great courage, commitment, and conviction to go after your passion, even if it means undergoing lifestyle adjustments. Being a professional athlete, you need to set rules for yourself. You need to eat the food that’s not fatty and avoid carbs after training — eat carbs before training and protein after training.”

He adds, “Sleep and wake up early. You have to sacrifice your social life. You can’t go out or go to parties as much. I’m aging and my body needs time to recover. I can only be in competitive shape up to the age of 35. Beyond that, the quality of my performance in the field may go down. I have to stay in excellent form and strength to maintain my position in the team.”

His girlfriend Sam Pinto is an inspiration. “It’s nice to date the sexiest girl, who is also beautiful inside. It was difficult at first because I had to adjust to her work schedule and, being a responsible boyfriend, I have to accompany her to different events. For her part, she is very supportive when it comes to my passion for football.”

He elaborates, “Ever since she started watching our games, I’ve kept scoring goals. She always congratulates me after my goals. Even if it is inconvenient for her, where many followers are watching and recognizing her, she still comes to our games to show support. Sam is one reason why I am motivated to play well.”

He shares his future plans, “I’d like to add more international games and goals in my football career. I really want to be recognized as an international football player. I also want to do something for the condition of football in the Philippines. I want to be more involved with charity football and grassroots projects, to share my experience with the younger generation. Beyond playing football, I’d like to eventually manage a team.”

Meanwhile, he says, “I’d like to be part of a group whose advocacy is to increase awareness and support for football. Currently, the National Team has zero support, compared to teams from other countries. In Thailand, 80,000 people watched. The locals immediately recognized us when we walked in the streets. They don’t know us here. Our football athletes get very little support.”

He muses, “I know that as long as you believe on achieving your dreams, you are willing to work hard for it and that giving up is never an option.”

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Post me a note at mylene@goldsgym.com.ph or mylenedayrit@gmail.com.