Iraqi Soccer Captain Thinks Like Most Iraqis

Lost in all the feel-good stories about the Iraqi national soccer team winning the Asian Cup was this choice quote from the team's captain:

Younis Mahmoud called for the United States to withdraw its troops from his
nation.


“I want America to go out,” he said. “Today,
tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, but out. I wish the American people didn’t
invade Iraq and, hopefully, it will be over soon.”
Mahmoud also said
he will not return to Iraq to celebrate.


“I don’t want the Iraqi people to be
angry with me,” he said. “If I go back with the team, anybody could kill
me or try to hurt me.”