Mehdi Taremi

Iranian footballer (born 1992) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mehdi Taremi[i] (born 18 July 1992) is an Iranian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Super League Greece club Olympiacos and the Iran national team.

Full name Mehdi Taremi[1]
Date of birth (1992-07-18) 18 July 1992 (age 33)[1]
Place of birth Bushehr, Iran[2]
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Quick facts Personal information, Full name ...
Mehdi Taremi
Taremi with Iran at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup
Personal information
Full name Mehdi Taremi[1]
Date of birth (1992-07-18) 18 July 1992 (age 33)[1]
Place of birth Bushehr, Iran[2]
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Position Striker
Team information
Current team
Olympiacos
Number 99
Youth career
2002–2006 Bargh Bushehr
2006–2010 Iranjavan
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2012 Shahin Bushehr 8 (1)
2012–2014 Iranjavan 22 (12)
2014–2018 Persepolis 87 (45)
2018–2019 Al-Gharafa 30 (13)
2019–2020 Rio Ave 30 (18)
2020–2024 Porto 122 (64)
2024–2025 Inter Milan 26 (1)
2025– Olympiacos 24 (10)
International career
2011–2012 Iran U20 6 (0)
2013 Iran U23 1 (0)
2015– Iran 105 (60)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Iran
CAFA Nations Cup
Winner2023 Kyrgyzstan–UzbekistanTeam
Runner-up2025 Tajikistan–UzbekistanTeam
Signature
Mehdi Taremi signature
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23:17, 17 May 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 20:18, 4 June 2026 (UTC)
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A late bloomer, he began his career at Shahin Bushehr and Iranjavan, and then played for Persepolis between 2014 and 2018; he was Persian Gulf Pro League top scorer on two occasions (2015–16 and 2016–17). He played for Qatari side Al-Gharafa between 2018 and 2019, before joining Rio Ave in Portugal, with whom he was Primeira Liga joint-top scorer in 2019–20. In 2020, he moved to fellow Portuguese side FC Porto and won the domestic double in 2021–22. He went on to continue this success in the 2022–23 season by finishing as the top goal scorer in the league and winning a domestic cup double of Taça de Portugal and Taça da Liga. After a short spell at Inter Milan, with which he reached the 2025 UEFA Champions League final, he signed for Greek powerhouse Olympiacos.

Taremi made his first senior appearance in 2015, and represented Iran at the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and 2022, and the AFC Asian Cup in 2019 and 2023.

Early life and family

Mehdi Taremi was born on 18 July 1992 in Bushehr, Iran. He is the third and youngest child of his family. His father Alishah Taremi was an amateur footballer who played in local leagues.[3] His older brother Mohammad is also a football player.[4]

Club career

Early career

Taremi started his career with Bargh Bushehr's Academy before moving on to Iranjavan's Youth Academy.[5]

Shahin Bushehr

Taremi joined Shahin Bushehr in the summer of 2010. He played seven games and scored one goal in all competitions. In the winter of 2012, he was released by Shahin Bushehr to spend his conscription period in a military club, but he failed to join a club and was forced to spend his conscription period in a usual garrison.[6]

Iranjavan

Taremi joined Iranjavan in the summer of 2013 and signed a two-year contract until the end of the 2014–15 season and was given the number 9. Taremi scored 12 times in 22 matches in 2013–14, and became the league's second top scorer after Mokhtar Jomehzadeh.

Persepolis

Taremi in Persepolis training in 2016

After becoming the Azadegan League's top scorer, Taremi had offers from many teams. He joined Persepolis in the summer of 2014 and signed a two-year contract through June 2016.[7]

2014–15

Taremi made his debut in 1–1 draw with Naft Tehran, coming as a substitute for Reza Norouzi in 90th minute. He scored his first goal for the club on 15 August 2014 in a 1–0 victory over Zob Ahan. On 8 April 2015 Taremi scored a penalty in Persepolis 1–0 win in the Asian Champions League over Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. He scored many goals for the club, and provided quality assists to win the Best Striker Award of the 14th Persian Gulf Pro League at the end of the 2014–15 season.

2015–16

Taremi playing for Persepolis in Tehran derby.

Taremi missed the first week of the new season due to suspension, but in his first game back on 6 August 2015, he scored in a 2–1 loss to Esteghlal Khuzestan. Taremi scored twice in a 2–0 week five win against Foolad. This was Persepolis' first win of the season and lifted them out of the relegation spot. Taremi's good performances in the month of August earned him the Navad player of the month as voted by fans.[8] On 18 December 2015, Taremi scored a brace against Rah Ahan in Persepolis' 2–0 victory. He ended the first half of the league as top scorer with nine goals in 12 games.

On 4 April 2016, Taremi scored a brace in a 3–2 victory against Siah Jamegan to keep Persepolis in third place. On 12 April 2016, Taremi was in talks to extend his contract to the end of the 2017–18 season.[9] But eventually, he decided not to renew his contract. On 15 April 2016, Taremi scored a brace in Persepolis' historic 4–2 victory over Esteghlal in the Tehran derby. He became the league's top scorer with 16 goals at the end of the season; despite his good performances, his team failed to win the title at the last week.

2016–17

Before the start of the new season, Taremi announced that he would not extend his contract, to join to a European team. In July 2016, it was reported that Taremi was linked to Süper Lig team Çaykur Rizespor. The move was cancelled after Taremi returned to Iran and signed a two-year contract with Persepolis.[10] He played his first match for Persepolis in 1–0 win over Saipa, replaced Omid Alishah in 77th minute. He also scored his first goal of the season in week 4 against Saba Qom. He scored a brace in 3–1 away win over Sepahan At the end of the season, the club celebrated its tenth Iran Pro League title, and Taremi became top scorer for a second consecutive season with 18 goals.

On 8 May 2017, Taremi scored a decisive hat trick against Emirati side Al Wahda in a 4–2 win to help his team qualify for the Round of 16 of the 2017 AFC Champions League. After his good performances, Taremi was linked with Dinamo Zagreb.[11]

2017–18

Taremi played seven games, scoring on four occasions. During the 2017–18 season, Taremi was banned for four months because of a contract dispute with Turkish club Çaykur Rizespor dating back to June 2016, when the player reached an agreement to join the club and later returned to Persepolis. Persepolis were also banned from signing players for two transfer windows. FIFA ruled in favor of the Turkish club and imposed the ban.[12]

Al Gharafa

Taremi playing for Al-Gharafa in 2018

On 8 January 2018, Taremi signed an 18-month contract with the Qatari club Al-Gharafa.[13] He scored his first goal in the first match of 2018 AFC Champions League against UAE's Al Jazira. Taremi first scored goal in Qatar League against Al Kharaitiyat on 16 February. On 19 February, he scored a brace against Iranian side Tractor Sazi on the second matchday of the AFC Champions League.

Rio Ave

On 23 July 2019, Taremi signed a two-year contract with Portuguese football club Rio Ave.[14][15] Taremi scored a hat-trick in his first Primeira Liga start for the club on 23 August 2019 in a match against Aves.[16] On 31 August, Taremi won his side three penalties in their match against Sporting CP, all on fouls committed by Sebastián Coates, as Rio Ave won 3–2.[17]

Taremi finished his first season with 18 goals, joint top with Benfica pair Pizzi and Carlos Vinícius; the latter won the official Bola da Prata trophy for playing the fewest minutes of the three.[18]

Porto

Taremi playing for Porto in 2021

In August 2020, Taremi signed a four-year contract with Primeira Liga club Porto.[19] He scored his first league goal for Porto on 8 November 2020 in a 3–1 home win against Portimonense.[20] There was a foul on Taremi during the 2020 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira in December 2020 which gave Porto a penalty and resulted in their first goal of the match scored by Sérgio Oliveira. Porto went on to win the 42nd edition of the competition 2–0, which gave Mehdi Taremi his first European medal.[21] On 17 February 2021, Taremi opened the scoring for Porto against Juventus in the round-of-16 first leg in the UEFA Champions League. He became the first Iranian to score in the first knockout phase of the competition.[22] On 13 April, he scored the game-winning goal with a spectacular bicycle kick in a 1–0 away win over Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-finals, yet his club lost 1–2 on aggregate.[23] After the final, his goal against Chelsea was voted as the best goal of the season's Champions League.[24] The goal also won the "UEFA.com Goal of the Season" award,[25] and was later nominated for the FIFA Puskás Award.[26] Taremi finished the 2020–21 season with 16 goals and 11 assists. He won his first Primeira Liga title in the 2021–22 season with Porto. His contributions that season included 20 goals and 13 assists. He was the second-highest goalscorer and the third-highest assist provider that season. On 20 May 2023, he scored all four goals in a 4–2 away victory over Famalicão.[27]

Taremi finished the 2022–23 season with 22 goals and seven assists in the league, earning the Bola de Prata, the top scorer award, and his second Taça de Portugal title with Porto.[28][29] He was also named in the Primeira Liga Team of the Year, making it the fourth consecutive time.[30][28]

Taremi playing for Inter Milan in 2024

On 12 May 2024, he scored a 98th-minute goal in a 2–1 victory against Boavista, marking his final appearance for Porto at Estádio do Dragão.[31] Later that month, on 26 May, he scored a penalty in extra time, securing a 2–1 victory over Sporting CP in the 2024 Taça de Portugal final.[32]

Inter Milan

On 13 July 2024, Taremi signed a three-year contract with Italian champions Inter Milan, valid until 30 June 2027. Taremi thus became the first Iranian player as well as the second Asian player in Inter Milan's history, following Yūto Nagatomo.[33][34] On 1 October, he scored his first goal and provided two assists in a 4–0 victory over Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League league phase.[35] On 26 January 2025, he netted his first Serie A goal in a 4–0 away win over Lecce.[36]

On 6 May 2025, Taremi provided the decisive assist to Davide Frattesi in the 99th minute of extra time, securing Inter Milan's dramatic victory over Barcelona in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final. With this contribution, he became the second Iranian player in history to reach the Champions League final, following legendary striker Ali Daei in 1999.[37][38]

In July 2025, Botafogo presented a proposal for a two-and-a-half-year contract for Mehdi Taremi, then at Internazionale.[39] Taremi refused the offer in order to negotiate with Premier League clubs.[40]

Olympiacos

On 30 August 2025, it was revealed that Taremi would join Olympiacos for a fee of €2.5 million.[41][42] A day later, he was announced by the team.[43]

In his Super League debut against Panserraikos on 13 September, he scored a brace.[44] In his Greek Cup debut against Asteras Tripolis, he also scored a brace.[45]

International career

Youth

Taremi played for Iran student's national football team in Turkey tournament and scored 9 goals for the team. He was called up by Alireza Mansourian to participate in the team's training camp in Kish Island in 2013.[46]

Senior

Taremi celebrating Iran's goal against Morocco in 2018 FIFA World Cup
Taremi celebrating his goal against China in 2019 AFC Asian Cup

Taremi made his debut against Uzbekistan in a friendly match on 11 June 2015. He also came on as a second-half substitute in a World Cup Qualifying match against Turkmenistan on 16 June 2015.

On 3 September 2015, Taremi scored his first senior goals, a brace, in a 6–0 victory over Guam in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.[47] On 23 March 2017, Taremi scored the winning and only goal in Iran's victory against Qatar in the final round of World Cup qualifying. He followed this up with another goal on 28 March 2017, in a 1–0 victory against China. On 12 June 2017, Taremi scored the second goal for Iran in a 2–0 win over Uzbekistan to seal the country's first consecutive qualification to two World Cups.[48] In June 2018, he was named in Iran's final 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[49] With the score tied 1–1 in stoppage time in Iran's group stage match with Portugal, Taremi missed a point-blank shot wide left that would have eliminated Portugal and advanced Iran to the round of 16.

He was also named in Iran's final 26-man squad by Carlos Queiroz for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In the first group stage game, he scored two goals as Iran lost 6–2 to England.[50]

On March 25, 2025, Taremi scored twice against Uzbekistan in a 2–2 draw, a result that secured Iran's qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking their seventh appearance in the tournament.[51] Later that year, on 8 September, he made his 100th international appearance in a 1–0 defeat against Uzbekistan in the CAFA Nations Cup final.[52]

Personal life

He was in a relationship with Iranian actress Sahar Ghoreishi for months in 2018.[53] In March 2020, Taremi announced that he had started a new relationship and is preparing for marriage.[54]

On 15 April 2022, Sporting CP, a rival of Taremi's then-club Porto, published an article on their club website and referred to Taremi as "a true snake charmer, someone from Persia always ready to go and perform circus tricks". The article was criticized by Porto fans and Iranians, including the Iranian Ambassador to Portugal, Morteza Damanpak. The club later deleted the article.[55]

Political views

Taremi was a supporter of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.[56][3] In June 2017, after President Hassan Rouhani congratulated the national team for qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, Taremi donated his shirt to Rouhani.[57] On 8 December 2017, Taremi tweeted a message that called for the destruction of Israel accompanied by a portrait of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.[58] Many Israelis urged FIFA to ban Taremi from the 2018 World Cup for violating FIFA's hate speech policy, with Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Emmanuel Nachshon also condemning the tweet.[59] Taremi subsequently deleted the tweet, although he did not apologize.[59] In 2022, IranWire reported that Taremi had "a close relationship" with President Ebrahim Raisi.[3] However, at the end of the same year, the player publicly criticized the repression of the civil protests prompted by the killing of Mahsa Amini; in the following years, he opposed more and more frequently to the Iranian government's repressive strategies.[60]

On 10 January 2026, Taremi refused to celebrate a goal he scored with Olympiacos during the Greek Super Cup, as a sign of protest towards the mass killing of protesters during the civil unrest in Iran.[61] Later the same month, a fake post shared on Facebook and X claiming that Taremi had requested the club to return to Iran in order to fight in the armed conflict was erroneously reported on by various Italian and international media outlets;[60][62] the claim was later dismissed both by the striker's agent, Federico Pastorello,[60][62] and the president of Olympiacos, Kostas Karapapas.[60]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 17 May 2026[63]
More information Club, Season ...
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Shahin 2010–11 Persian Gulf Pro League 610061
2011–12 200020
Total 810081
Iranjavan 2012–13 Azadegan League
2013–14 2212002212
Total 2212002212
Persepolis 2014–15 Persian Gulf Pro League 267408[c]1388
2015–16 2516222718
2016–17 2918008[c]63724
2017–18 74002[c]11[d]0105
Total 8745621881011255
Al-Gharafa 2017–18 Qatar Stars League 85207[c]51[e]11811
2018–19 22822001[c]12511
Total 3013420086114322
Rio Ave 2019–20 Primeira Liga 301842313721
Porto 2020–21 Primeira Liga 341665106[f]21[g]04823
2021–22 322063119[h]2004826
2022–23 332250527[f]51[g]25131
2023–24 23622217[f]21[g]03511
Total 1226419109429113218291
Inter Milan 2024–25 Serie A 2613012[f]12[i]1433
Olympiacos 2025–26 Super League Greece 24104310[f]21[j]13916
Career total 3491644019125772885486221
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  1. Appearance(s) in AFC Champions League
  2. Appearance in Iranian Super Cup
  3. Appearance in Qatar Cup
  4. Six appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, three appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League
  5. Appearances in Supercoppa Italiana
  6. Appearance in Greek Super Cup

International

As of match played 4 June 2026[64][65]
More information National team, Year ...
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Iran 201575
201692
201773
2018123
2019108
202011
202194
202285
20231112
2024179
2025104
202644
Total10560
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As of 29 May 2026[63]
Scores and results list Iran's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Taremi goal.
More information No., Date ...
List of international goals scored by Mehdi Taremi
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 3 September 2015Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran Guam2–06–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 5–0
3 8 September 2015Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore, India India3–03–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
4 17 November 2015Guam National Football Stadium, Tamuning, Guam Guam1–06–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
5 6–0
6 7 June 2016Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran Kyrgyzstan2–06–0Friendly
7 10 November 2016Shah Alam Stadium, Shah Alam, Malaysia Papua New Guinea2–08–1Friendly
8 23 March 2017Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar Qatar1–01–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
9 28 March 2017Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran China1–01–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
10 12 June 2017Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran Uzbekistan2–02–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
11 27 March 2018UCP Arena, Graz, Austria Algeria2–02–1Friendly
12 24 December 2018Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, Qatar Palestine1–01–1Friendly
13 31 December 2018Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar Qatar1–02–1Friendly
14 7 January 2019Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Yemen1–05–02019 AFC Asian Cup
15 3–0
16 24 January 2019Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates China1–03–02019 AFC Asian Cup
17 3 June 2019Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran Syria2–05–0Friendly
18 3–0
19 4–0
20 10 October 2019Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran Cambodia4–014–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
21 9–0
22 8 October 2020Pakhtakor Central Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan Uzbekistan2–02–1Friendly
23 7 June 2021Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa, Bahrain Bahrain3–03–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
24 11 June 2021Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa, Bahrain Cambodia3–010–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
257 September 2021Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar Iraq2–03–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
267 October 2021Zabeel Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates1–01–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
2727 January 2022Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran Iraq1–01–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
281 February 2022Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran United Arab Emirates1–01–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
2923 September 2022NV Arena, Sankt Pölten, Austria Uruguay1–01–0Friendly
30 21 November 2022Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar England1–42–62022 FIFA World Cup
31 2–6
3223 March 2023Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran Russia1–11–1Friendly
33 13 June 2023Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Afghanistan2–06–12023 CAFA Nations Cup
34 3–0
35 5–0
36 16 June 2023Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan1–05–12023 CAFA Nations Cup
37 2–0
38 3–1
39 12 September 2023Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran Angola1–04–0 Friendly
40 2–0
4113 October 2023Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan Jordan2–03–12023 Jordan International Tournament
42 16 November 2023Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran Hong Kong3–04–02026 FIFA World Cup qualification
4321 November 2023Milliy Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan Uzbekistan2–02–22026 FIFA World Cup qualification
445 January 2024Olympic Stadium, Kish, Iran Burkina Faso1–12–1Friendly
45 23 January 2024Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar United Arab Emirates1–02–1 2023 AFC Asian Cup
46 2–0
4731 January 2024Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, Qatar Syria1–01–1
(5–3 p)
2023 AFC Asian Cup
48 6 June 2024Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong, China Hong Kong1–04–22026 FIFA World Cup qualification
492–1
503–1
515 September 2024Fuladshahr Stadium, Fuladshahr, Iran Kyrgyzstan1–01–02026 FIFA World Cup qualification
5219 November 2024Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan1–03–22026 FIFA World Cup qualification
5325 March 2025Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran Uzbekistan1–12–22026 FIFA World Cup qualification
542–2
5510 June 2025Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran North Korea2–03–02026 FIFA World Cup qualification
561 September 2025Hisor Central Stadium, Hisor, Tajikistan India3–03–02025 CAFA Nations Cup
5727 March 2026Mardan Sports Complex, Antalya, Turkey Nigeria1–21–22026 Jordan International Tournament
5831 March 2026Mardan Sports Complex, Antalya, Turkey Costa Rica2–05–02026 Jordan International Tournament
594–0
6029 May 2026Mardan Sports Complex, Antalya, Turkey Gambia3–13–1Friendly
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Honours

See also

Notes

  1. Persian: مهدی طارمی, IPA: [mæhˈdiː tʰɒːɹeˈmiː]

References

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