(foto: Instagram)
Tractor vs Esteghlal drew an astonishing 120,000 spectators in Iran. Former Olimpija midfielder Ricardo Alves played in the match, with Dragan Skočić on the bench.
An extraordinary scene unfolded this past weekend in Iran, where the league match between Tractor and Esteghlal was reportedly attended by a staggering 120,000 spectators, according to local media and club sources.
The match, held at Yadegar-e Emam Stadium in Tabriz, was one of the most highly attended football games globally in recent memory—and featured a familiar name for Slovenian fans: Ricardo Alves, the former Olimpija Ljubljana midfielder.
A crowd larger than most European finals
Photos and video footage from the stadium quickly went viral, showing packed stands and even fans lining the perimeter of the pitch. While official verification of the figure is difficult, the visual evidence and reports suggest the 120,000 number may not be far off.
Alves spent three seasons at Olimpija, where he was considered one of the team’s most consistent performers. It’s unlikely he ever played in front of a crowd this large during his time in Slovenia.
Tractor extend lead in the title race
Tractor claimed a 2–1 victory in the high-stakes match, strengthening their position at the top of the Iranian Pro League table. The club is currently managed by Dragan Skočić, a name also familiar to Slovenian football circles.
Skočić, who formerly coached Interblock Ljubljana, later went on to manage the Iranian national team, and now appears to be leading Tractor toward a historic title run.
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Written by Klemen Kos , football journalist with 20 years of experience.
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