Iranian star is ready for the next step in his career

For avid fans of Persian football, Mehdi Taremi is already a household name. However, after just one season in Europe, it seems like the Iran international could get the chance to take his game to a whole new level.

Taremi registered impressive numbers in the Persian Gulf Pro League with Iranjavan and Persepolis between 2012 and 2018, before being lured away to Al-Gharafa in the Qatar Stars League. While there he continued to score goals with consistency and that quickly attracted the attention of scouts at European clubs. Eventually, it was Rio Ave in Portugal who came calling, offering the talented Iran international a two-year deal.

Not one to miss an opportunity, Taremi has taken to Portuguese football with aplomb, quickly becoming one of the best players at Rio Ave, scoring 13 goals in 26 Liga NOS appearances.

Having adapted so well during his first season with the club, Benfica are now interested in his signature, keen to add the versatile forward to their attacking line next season.

While there is also reportedly interest from Nantes and Marseille in France, remaining in Portugal would appear to be the better option, with Benfica prepared to pay a transfer fee of around €10 million to capture Teremi. Likewise, his chances of becoming an important player for them will already be assured, given his stellar performances in the same league during the 2019-20 campaign.

Joining a much bigger club will undoubtedly raise the profile of Teremi, while also providing him with the opportunity to improve his overall game. That will undoubtedly help to boost the chances of Iran not only reaching the 2022 World Cup, but also performing well at the tournament that will be hosted in Qatar. Given that Benfica also compete regularly in European club competitions, exposure to those will also be valuable experience for Teremi.

Currently, the top sports betting sites in the UK regard France and Brazil as favourites to win the 2022 World Cup, and if Iran should qualify, their odds are as low as 250/1 with some of the leading bookmakers. Of course, qualifying will depend on improved results after defeats against Bahrain and Iraq late in 2019, although confidence remains in that objective being achieved.

Meanwhile, with 21 goals in 45 international appearances to his name, Taremi is always going to be a key figure for Team Melli, certainly while current head coach Dragan Skocic remains at the helm. If his form throughout the current domestic season in Portugal is any indication, Taremi can spearhead the Iran attack for years to come.

There’s also another reason that Taremi will be eager for Iran to reach the 2022 World Cup. At the 2018 tournament in Russia, deep into stoppage time, he missed a golden scoring

opportunity in the 1-1 group stage draw against Portugal. Had he hit the back of the net with that chance, Portugal would have been eliminated at the expense of Iran going through to the knockout stage. Maybe the added European experience will help him next time.