Iran’s Taremi among ‘48 players to watch’ at World Cup
Iranian international striker Mahdi Taremi has been named among the 48 players to watch at the upcoming FIFA World Cup – co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada – by Fox Sports.
“Taremi stands out for Team Melli. The talented striker is Iran’s captain and best player, having played across several prominent European teams. A key factor for Greek power Olympiacos, Taremi was a UEFA Champions League runner-up with Inter Milan last season,” the American website wrote of the Iranian, who bagged 94 goals and 65 assists in a combined 225 appearances with Porto and Inter before joining Olympiacos last summer.
Having made 20 appearances in the current Greek Super League season, the Olympiacos forward has recorded 10 goals and two assists, while also winning four penalties. Additionally, he has netted three goals in the domestic cup, one in the Super Cup, and two in the UEFA Champions League.
However, on his return from international duty in March – where he was on the scoresheet during a 2-1 friendly defeat against Nigeria before finding the net twice in a 5-0 win over Costa Rica – the Iranian talisman has struggled for game time with his club.
He was substituted during a 1-0 loss to archrival AEK Athens in the league and was then left on the bench for the entire match in a 2-0 win against Panathinaikos last time out.
Unhappy with the situation, and frustrated by its repetition several times throughout the season, the Iranian star may now be considering a departure after only one season with the club, according to reports in the Greek media. A decent performance in the World Cup could bolster his case for another high-profile transfer in the summer.
Iran will kick off its Group G campaign in the United States against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on June 15, before facing European heavyweight Belgium at the same venue six days later.
The team will then travel to Seattle, Washington, to face Egypt in its final group game at Lumen Field on June 26.
With eight third-placed teams across the 12 groups advancing to the round of 32, Iran will fancy its chances of securing its first-ever knockout spot at the seventh attempt.