Mehdi Taremi
Mehdi Taremi has made a name for himself in the football world winning over fans with his great skills and ability to score goals. His story, from starting out in Iran to becoming a top striker in European football, shows how hard he’s worked and how talented he is. The way he’s played in the UEFA Champions League and Serie A has caught the eye of big clubs like Inter Milan.
Taremi’s journey to fame includes his key part in the Iran national team where he’s made big contributions in major tournaments like the World Cup and AFC Asian Cup. This article digs into Taremi’s football career looking at his early days in Iranian football, his successful move to European leagues, and how he’s shaped the international scene.
We’ll also look at his unique way of playing and the main traits that have made him stand out in today’s football.
Early Career and Rise in Iranian Football
Youth Career
Mehdi Taremi started his football career in Bushehr, a southern Iranian port city where he was born. He came into the world on July 18, 1992, as the youngest of three kids in an average family. His dad, who used to play football, had a big impact on him. While other kids his age liked to ride horses and go fishing, Taremi set his sights on football from the start. He spent his time practicing on Bushehr’s sun-baked fields, with his dad showing him the ropes.
When Taremi turned 10, he joined the Bushehr youth team, which kicked off his serious football career. He then spent time in the youth academies of Bargh Bushehr and Iranjavan to keep growing as a player.
Breakthrough at Persepolis
Taremi started his professional career with Shahin Bushehr, his hometown team, in summer 2010. But Iran’s conscription rules forced him to stop playing to do his military service. He served in the Coast Guard for 18 months.
After finishing his time in the military, Taremi joined Iran Zaban in 2013. He soon had an influence on the team. He scored 12 goals in 22 games in the 2013-14 season. This put him in second place for scoring in the Azadegan League.
Persepolis one of Iran’s top clubs, took notice of Taremi’s skills. He signed a two-year deal with them in summer 2014. Taremi played his first game for Persepolis as a sub in a 1-1 tie against Naft Tehran FC. On August 15, 2014, he scored his first goal for the club leading to a 1-0 win over Zob Ahan.
Top Scorer Achievements
At Persepolis, Taremi kept scoring lots of goals. In his first season, he ended up as the team’s best scorer and second-best in assists. This showed he could do well as a striker in Europe.
During the 2015-16 season, Taremi’s game took a big step up. He put the ball in the net when it mattered most, including two goals in a big 4-2 win over Esteghlal Tehran FC in the Tehran derby. Taremi finished the season as the league’s top scorer with 16 goals even though Persepolis just missed out on winning the title.
Taremi kept up his strong play in the next season. He netted three goals against Al Wahda FC in the 2017 AFC Champions League helping Persepolis advance to the round of 16. He ended the season with 24 goals 18 of them in the league winning the top scorer award for the second year in a row. His contributions played a key role in Persepolis claiming their 10th league championship.
European Adventure
Move to Rio Ave
Mehdi Taremi began his European soccer career on July 23, 2019. He signed a two-year deal with Rio Ave, a Portuguese club. Carlos Queiroz, who used to work as an assistant manager at Manchester United, suggested this move. He thought Portugal would benefit Taremi’s personal life and sports career. Taremi chose Rio Ave because he wanted to play in a league that would get him noticed. He turned down big money offers from other places to do this.
Taremi had an immediate and impressive influence on Rio Ave. He scored a hat-trick against Aves in his first Primeira Liga start on August 23, 2019. His debut caught the attention of the media, as he netted two of his three goals with his weaker left foot. Taremi ended his first season with 18 goals tying for the top scorer position alongside Benfica’s Pizzi and Carlos Vinícius.
Success at Porto
Taremi’s great play at Rio Ave caught Porto’s eye. In August 2020, he signed to play for the Portuguese powerhouse for four years. After some time to adjust, Taremi hit his stride and formed a strong duo with Moussa Marega. He netted his first league goal for Porto on November 8, 2020 helping secure a 3-1 home victory against Portimonense.
Taremi had an influence on Porto’s European campaigns. On February 17, 2021, he scored in the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League becoming the first Iranian to do so. He found the net against Juventus in the round of 16. His standout performance came on April 13 when he scored an amazing bicycle kick against Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-finals. This goal later won the best goal of the season’s Champions League and earned the UEFA.com Goal of the Season award.
International Career with Iran
Mehdi Taremi started playing for Iran’s national team in 2015 when he first appeared in a senior match. Since that time, he has grown to have an influence on the national team playing for Iran in several big tournaments.
World Cup appearances
Taremi has taken part in two FIFA World Cups. In 2018, he joined Iran’s team to compete in Russia. During the group stage game against Portugal, Taremi got a big chance in extra time but failed to score from close range. This miss could have knocked out Portugal and sent Iran to the round of 16.
During the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Taremi played a key role. Carlos Queiroz included him in Iran’s final 26-player roster. Taremi scored two goals in Iran’s first match against England, but Iran ended up losing 6-2.
Asian Cup performances
Taremi has also played for Iran in the AFC Asian Cup. He scored goals against Yemen and China in the 2019 tournament. His contributions helped Iran reach the semi-finals of the competition.
Goal-scoring record
Taremi has made a name for himself as a top goal-scorer for the national team. By 2024, he has found the net 50 times for Iran putting him in a select group of players who’ve scored forty or more goals for their country. His knack for scoring shows up in different tournaments such as World Cup qualifiers, Asian Cup games, and friendlies.
During World Cup qualifiers, Taremi has shown his effectiveness, scoring 21 goals in 37 matches. He has made a big impact in other competitions too, including 14 goals in 30 friendly matches and 6 goals in 10 AFC Asian Cup appearances.
Playing Style and Key Attributes
Technical Skills
Mehdi Taremi shows his technical skills when he controls the ball and gets his teammates involved in the game. His pass completion rate of 80.95% proves he’s good at passing. Taremi’s quick moves and smart positioning off the ball help him play well. He’s great at making chances for his teammates, with an average of 1.20 key passes per game.
Goal-scoring Ability
Taremi has made a name for himself as a goal-scoring machine throughout his career. He has scored 196 goals in 389 matches. His finishing skill is seen as one of his main strengths. Though he might not be the sharpest shooter, Taremi can score amazing goals. His expected goals (xG) per 90 minutes is 0.10.
Tactical Versatility
Taremi’s adaptability gives him a big edge. Though he’s listed as a striker, he often moves to the left wing showing how flexible he is. He’s played in a two-striker setup before, which lets him use his finishing skills and team up with other players. Because he can fit into different game plans, he’s a key player for many attacking strategies.
Conclusion
Mehdi Taremi’s path from Bushehr’s scorching fields to Europe’s big soccer stages shows his strong commitment and great skill. His knack for scoring goals technical abilities, and flexible playing style have made him stand out in both club and country games. Taremi’s achievements at Porto and his key role in Iran’s national team prove he can adjust and do well at soccer’s top level.
Looking forward, Taremi’s career path shows he can do more in football. His steady play and knack for scoring goals have grabbed the attention of big clubs pointing to possible exciting transfers down the road. As he keeps honing his abilities and leaving his mark on the field, Taremi serves as a role model for up-and-coming footballers those from Iran. He proves that through hard work and not giving up, one can succeed on the world stage.
