Despite cut-throat competition and heightened emotions, the prevailing idea of sports tournaments remains sportsmanship. This sentiment was best showcased after Wednesday’s 2022 FIFA World Cup match between the US and Iran in which the latter lost and was eliminated from the tournament. After the big loss, Iran’s Ramin Rezaian could not stop his tears. During this vulnerable moment, he was consoled by US’s Antonee Robinson who embraced Rezaian and said comforting words to him. In terms of politics, the US and Iran are considered rivals, which makes this interaction even more meaningful. On Wednesday, Karim Sadjadpour, an Iranian-American policy analyst, shared a video of this heartfelt moment and it soon went viral with over 1.6 million views. USA’s Antonee Robinson consoles Iran’s Ramin Rezaian after America’s victory. Iran’s regime has tried hard to brainwash its people against the US, but most Americans who’ve been to Iran will tell you it’s among the friendliest places they’ve ever visited. pic.twitter.com/GbyPFMEMVL — Karim Sadjadpour (@ksadjadpour) November 30, 2022 This was more than a football match to those Iranian players! I send them love and wish them safety, for them and their families...and I extend that to all Iranian people..I hope their future is kind to them 💚🤍❤ — Sammi Bruce (@SammiBruce1) November 30, 2022 It was a competitive and respectful game from start to finish. Much respect to both sides. I applaud these Iranian players - no other team in this World Cup has faced more distractions off the pitch. — Retro Sketch Inc. (@retrosketch_inc) November 30, 2022 During the game both side displayed respect, civismo and sportsmanship, I was so proud of these kids and how they represented our country. Slaying rhe myth of evil usa with these images. — Raul Matos (@DudeRaul) November 30, 2022 I feel great sympathy for these players and I worry about them. — Meg Heubeck she/hers (@megheubeck) November 30, 2022 Good to remember there are a lot of great people living under terrible dictatorships who are our real enemies. — LetsGetReal (@damnUJones) November 30, 2022 In western media, Iran is often portrayed as this hard, unforgiving. forbidding place but the irony is that, culturally and emotionally Persians are the biggest softies you’ll ever meet: quick to laugh and cry at the drop of a hat. — Parisa Dehghani-Tafti (@parisa4justice) December 1, 2022 True sportmanship and just plan old caring for another human in a time of pain. The younger generations don’t get enough credit they are a kinder more considerate people. 🌎🕊 — elleinad658 (@dani10538) November 30, 2022 This is what sports can do and why we need it in the world. It's the only thing that brings us all together as "people". We need more love in the world, too much bicker and beef. — LaMarr Moss (@elmostru) November 30, 2022 Commenting on this video, a Twitter user wrote, “This is what sports can do and why we need it in the world. It's the only thing that brings us all together as "people". We need more love in the world, too much bicker and beef.” Another person said, “In western media, Iran is often portrayed as this hard, unforgiving. forbidding place but the irony is that, culturally and emotionally Persians are the biggest softies you’ll ever meet: quick to laugh and cry at the drop of a hat.” The 2022 FIFA World Cup has been draining for Iranian players who had to play against the backdrop of ongoing protests in their home country. They have shown solidarity with the anti-regime and anti-compulsory veil protests by refusing to sing their national anthem during the start of the matches.
