OTHER He arrived at Anderlecht in 2008 as an unknown from FC Basel but quickly grew into a reliable presence at left-back. Behrang Safari was not a man of grand statements, but of solid performances. With his stamina, strong tackles, and level-headed mentality, he earned a place in the heart of the purple and white. But what happened to Safari after he left Neerpede behind?
A Swedish globetrotter After three seasons at Anderlecht, Safari returned to his Swiss roots in 2011 and re-signed with FC Basel. There followed a new period of glory: multiple league titles, Champions League adventures (including a victory against Chelsea), and a strong reputation as an experienced left-back. In 2016, he truly went back home: Malmö FF, the club where he had originally turned professional. In Sweden, he ended his career in style, adding another title to his achievements in 2020.
Continue reading below the article
Continue reading Safari retires… and then? In 2021, Safari announced his retirement as a professional footballer. But sitting still? That's not Behrang's style. Together with former teammate Markus Rosenberg, he founded an agency for young footballers: Full Potential Agency. The duo aims to guide young players in both their sporting and personal development, focusing on mentality, stability, and tailored support. A logical choice, as Safari is known for being balanced, social, and committed.
His private life Safari lives in Sweden with his wife and four children. What many don't know is that he is of Afghan-Iranian descent but grew up in Sweden from a young age. He speaks fluent Swedish, English, and even some German. Today, he uses his multicultural background to build bridges, also beyond football. Occasionally, he appears as an analyst on Swedish television during Malmö matches, but he has no ambitions for a large media career. He prefers to work behind the scenes.
Remembered at Anderlecht Safari may not be the first face that comes to mind when thinking of Anderlecht's golden era around 2010. Not flamboyant, but defensively reliable, with excellent kicking technique and exemplary commitment. He was perhaps even the only one who managed to keep Olivier Deschacht out of the team for a while.
