Even a national hero in Iraq refuses to return to his country in fear for his life.

Younis Mahmoud's victory celebrations were tempered by reality.

Mahmoud scored the winning goal in Iraq's 1-0 Asian Cup final win over Saudi Arabia on Sunday, yet he feared for his life if he went home to celebrate the stunning victory, and said he would not be returning to the war-torn country.

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

The news is filled with images of Iraqis celebrating this soccer victory and talking about how the country is finally unified. You would assume that the guy that is responsible for that would perfectly safe. But he is terrified.

And what does he think might make Iraq safer?

"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."

Maybe it is not the Iraqis that he fears.