This archive report was first published on 2 September 2019.
As the 2018 World Cup kicked off, the Iranian national football team made headlines for more than just their football skills. Photos of the team members, clad in dark blue suits and white shirts, with dark sunglasses, went viral on social media, captivating the attention of women worldwide.
The team's dashing looks have earned them the nickname 'Greek gods' on Twitter, with many women expressing their admiration and pledging their support for the team under the hashtags #TeamIran and #TeamMelli.
One Twitter user, @ifrah23, exclaimed, 'Guys omg I just saw pictures of Iran's football team. Are they men or Greek gods like omg????!??? Shia men are so good looking, I tell you!'
Another user, @HastiTaghi, tweeted, 'I heard the internet was suddenly #teamiran because of these guys – can you blame anyone? Sports can be a way to bridge political gaps – especially when these are the athletes representing us.'
As the team prepares to take on the world in the 2018 World Cup, it's clear that their charm has won over the hearts of many women around the globe.
