Life has been anything but ordinary for Duckens Nazon, Haiti's all-time leading scorer. The 32-year-old striker has experienced a dizzying rollercoaster—from the euphoria of leading his nation to their first World Cup in over five decades to the terrifying reality of fleeing war-torn Iran, where he plays for Esteghlal.

Now, Nazon has his sights set on something almost poetic: stunning Scotland, the country where he once spent six months playing for St Mirren in Paisley. That brief chapter in 2019 was just one stop in a remarkable 13-year career that has taken him across 13 clubs and eight countries.

But before he can write that next chapter on the pitch, Nazon had to survive a harrowing escape from Iran. As Israeli-US strikes began, he was ordered off his departing flight for safety reasons. With his wife and four children safe in France, he faced the ordeal alone—watching bombs land just 100 meters away before finally crossing into Azerbaijan.

"If you're alone, you are more relaxed and taking decisions is easier and faster," Nazon shared on the BBC's Sacked in the Morning podcast. "I was stuck at the border for maybe 48 hours. They refused me, sent me back to Iran, and I slept at the border."

A simple eSIM purchase before the conflict proved to be a lifesaver when authorities cut internet access across the country. "I had no contact otherwise," he recalled.

Now, with 44 goals in 76 caps for Haiti, Nazon is preparing for the biggest stage of all. Haiti will face Scotland, Brazil, and Morocco in their World Cup group—a group that carries deep personal meaning. His wife is Moroccan, and he was born in France, adding layers of emotion to an already dramatic journey.

For a player who has worn the jerseys of clubs from France to Turkey, and from England to Iran, this World Cup represents more than just a tournament. It's the culmination of a career defined by resilience, adventure, and an unbreakable will to keep moving forward—no matter what stands in the way.