[custom_adv] The 43-year-old footballer-turned-actor most recently hosted a popular online football television program and starred in several Iranian movies and TV series since hanging up his boots nearly a decade ago, according to semi-official news agency ISNA. [custom_adv] He was the rare footballer who played for rival clubs Esteghlal FC and Persepolis FC but was still loved by fans across the board. Some fans gathered outside of Farhikhtegan hospital in Tehran where Ansarian was when he died from Covid-19. [custom_adv] Others shared their bewilderment at his death at such a young age. "With your death, I learned that no prayers are answered," Iranian fashion designer Mehrdad Khanali wrote in an Instagram post. Adored by Iranians for his infectious laugh and light-hearted spirit, Ansarian was best known for how much he loved his mother. [custom_adv] Minavand asked Ansarian during the special whether he was holding off getting married because he didn't want to leave his widowed mother alone. "This may be one of the reasons," Ansarian responded, "but she truly is my closest friend." [custom_adv] Ansarian passed away at the age of 43 at the Farhikhtegan Hospital in Tehran, capital of Iran. He started his footballing career in Fajr Sepasi in 1996 and joined Persepolis two years later. [custom_adv] Ansarian also represented Iran national football team from 1998 to 2007. Last week, Mehrdad Minavand, who represented Iran in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, died of COVID-19 in Tehran. [custom_adv] FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed his deep condolences to Iran Football Federation over the passing of former Iran and Persepolis defender Ali Ansarian. Persepolis football team edged past Tractor thanks to a goal from Jalal Hosseini in Matchday 14 of Iran Professional League. [custom_adv] A football player or footballer is a sport person who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, Canadian football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby league and rugby union. [custom_adv] The 43-year-old footballer-turned-actor most recently hosted a popular online football television program and starred in several Iranian movies and TV series since hanging up his boots nearly a decade ago, according to semi-official news agency ISNA. [custom_adv] He was the rare footballer who played for rival clubs Esteghlal FC and Persepolis FC but was still loved by fans across the board. Some fans gathered outside of Farhikhtegan hospital in Tehran where Ansarian was when he died from Covid-19. [custom_adv] Ansarian passed away at the age of 43 at the Farhikhtegan Hospital in Tehran, capital of Iran. He started his footballing career in Fajr Sepasi in 1996 and joined Persepolis two years later.