MEHDI TAREMI: WHO IS THE IRANIAN MAKING WAVES IN LIGA NOS?

If you’ve followed the Persian Gulf Pro League over the years, then you’ll be all to aware of Mehdi Taremi.

That wasn’t the case for most football fans in Europe though but after the attacker made his first strides into the continent last summer. It’s fair to say more than just a handful are now taking notice of the Iranian.

Making the grade

In his early days Taremi, who can play as a centre forward or winger, barely settled in an academy with spells in the youth setup of Bargh Bushehr, Shahin Bushehr and then Iranjavan whom he joined at the age of 18 – although he turned 19 shortly after.

By this point, Taremi had already featured for the Iranian national side at Under 20 level and a cap for the Under 23’s soon followed thanks to his early performances for Iranjavan. In his debut season with the Red Devils Taremi bagged a more than respectable 12 goals in 22 appearances but he was always destined for more.

Moving on up

Taremi had proven he could cut it in senior football and he quickly became hot property. Persepolis, who have links with footballing superpowers AC Milan and Real Madrid, fought off the competition to land his signature and boy are they glad they did. He spent three and a half years with Tehran based club and his goal scoring exploits mean he is assured of legendary status.

During his time playing in front of the 78,000-capacity crowd, Taremi starred by netting 55 goals and providing 21 assists as he and his teammates collected three major honours in the shape of two league triumphs and one Hazfi Cup win.

Alongside that, Taremi led the scoring charts on two occasions and, although the Red Army only finished second during the 2015-16 campaign, it proved a successful year for Taremi on a personal note as his first senior international call up came from Carlos Queiroz. He also won the first of back to back Iranian Player of the Year awards.

A first move abroad

In January 2018, a fee of over £400k saw Taremi wave goodbye to Persepolis. He was off to Qatar where he penned an 18 month deal with Al-Gharafa with then manager and one time Turkish Super Lig top scorer Bulent Uygun said to have played an important role in securing his signature. He quickly set about repaying the faith shown in him too.

He made a total of 22 appearances in the 2018 season finding the net 12 times – five of which came in the AFC Champions League – and teeing up a further eight for his team. It means he averaged a goal involvement every 82 minutes.

The following season continued in familiar fashion with Taremi making the net bulge on a regular basis and by the time his 18 month contract came to and end the sharpshooter had added a further two honours to his list; consecutive wins of the Qatari Stars Cup.

A step closer to the big time

For pretty much every aspiring footballer playing in one of Europe’s big five leagues is the dream. Taremi hasn’t made it there yet but a free transfer to Rio Ave who play in Liga Nos – Portugal’s top tier – certainly means he’s a lot closer than most ever get. He only joined the club last summer but he wasted no time at all making a name for himself.

His full Liga Nos debut, which came in week three of the season, saw him wreak havoc amongst the Aves defence as he scored three and set up one other in a 5-1 mauling. Not bad given he was subbed off after 76 minutes with the match well and truly won. Next up was a first 90 minutes in Rio Ave colours and, again, Taremi was the star of the show as he was fouled three times in the box as Filipe Augusto (2) and Ronan converted the subsequent spot kicks to ensure their team defeated a Sporting side featuring Bruno Fernandes, now of Man United, 3-2.

Unfortunately, injury killed his groove for a few games after that as he missed a month of action but after being eased back into things by coach Carlos Carvalhal, he’s taken up centre stage once again.

He’s notched goals against both Porto, who are confirmed Liga NOS table 2019/20 champions, and Benfica but it’s his overall contribution that has caused people to sit up and take notice. Another goal filled year has seen Taremi bag 19 goals across all competitions with a further five assists boosting his goal contribution to one in every 1.5 matches.

What does the future hold?

Taremi has taken an unusual route to European football but at the age of 28 he’ll feel he’s got plenty to offer. It’s the age for athletes to mature and take a step forward in their career, either if they are promising small forwards in the current NBA betting lines or football players rising through European ranks.

Who can knock him either? He’s defied the odds everywhere he’s gone to date as he’s continued scoring goals regardless of stepping up to perceived more competitive leagues.

It looks like he could well be on the move again come the transfer window too. German side Werder Bremen have been linked but stronger rumours suggest a stay in Liga NOS looks more likely with Portuguese giants Porto and Benfica expected to fight it out for his signature. Both teams would offer him a chance to play in the Champions League.

For Iranian fans, this can only mean that they might have two elite strikers in the next World Cup on Azmoun and Taremi. Let’s hope for the best.