Mehdi Mahdavikia

Mehdi Mahdavikia (Persian: مهدی مهدوی‌کیا ‎, born 24 July 1977) is an Iranian professional football coach and former player usually played as a right winger or full-back.

Mehdi Mahdavikia
Mahdavikia in 2014
Personal information
Full name Mehdi Mahdavikia
Date of birth (1977-07-24) 24 July 1977
Place of birth Tehran, Iran
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 7 1⁄2 in)
Playing position(s) Right back, Midfielder, Winger
Club information
Current team
 Hamburger SV (coach)[1]
KIA Academy (owner)
Youth career
1991–1995 Bank Melli
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1995–1999 Persepolis 54 (18)
1998 → Pas (loan) 0 (0)
1998–1999 → VfL Bochum (loan) 12 (3)
1999–2007 Hamburger SV 211 (26)
2002 → Hamburger SV Amateure (loan) 2 (0)
2007–2010 Eintracht Frankfurt 32 (0)
2010–2011 Steel Azin 34 (4)
2011–2012 Damash Gilan 14 (0)
2012–2013 Persepolis 27 (3)
Total 386 (54)
National team
1994 Iran U20 2 (0)
1994–1999 Iran U23 12 (2)
1997 Iran CISM 3 (1)
1996–2009 Iran 111 (13)
Teams managed
2013 Iran U17 (technical manager)[2]
2013–2015 Iran U19 (technical manager)[3]
2015– KIA Academy (technical manager)
2015–2018 Hamburger SV Academy (offensive coach)[4]
2018 Hamburger SV U16 (assistant)[5]
2018–2019 Hamburger SV II (U21) (assistant)[6]
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

He is currently under contract by Hamburger SV as a youth coach,[1] and also manages his own youth academy, FC KIA.

Mahdavikia currently represents Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in the Football Advisory Panel of International Football Association Board (IFAB), joining the body in 2019.[7] On 15 May 2013, Mahdavikia was appointed as AFC Grassroots Ambassador.[8]

During his playing career, Mahdavikia internationally represented Iranian national team, which he captained from 2006 to 2009, and currently is the fourth most capped player of all-time. He played for Iranian clubs Bank Melli, Persepolis, Steel Azin and Damash Gilan, as well as German clubs VfL Bochum, Hamburger SV and Eintracht Frankfurt, spending 12 consecutive seasons in Bundesliga.

He won the Asian Young Footballer of the Year award in 1997 as well as the Asian Footballer of the Year award in 2003.[9] He was known for his crossing, speed and dribbling.

Club career

Early career

Mahdavikia first played for Persepolis in his native Iran before moving to VfL Bochum in Germany. After Bochum's relegation, he signed for Bundesliga side Hamburg where he stayed for the next eight seasons.

Hamburger SV

Hamburger Morgenpost estimated market value of Mahdavikia in 1999 as DM6.5 million.[10]

His initial position for HSV was right fullback, from which he was known for his attacking runs, as he has previous experience as a right winger and at times has played as a striker. He also played some matches for Pas in Asian games as help for the club. Under coach Frank Pagelsdorf Mahdavikia used to play wide striker. For the 2006–07 Bundesliga season he moved back to his natural position of right wing, in support of Central Midfielder Rafael van der Vaart. He was awarded Hamburg Player of the Year in 2003 and 2004 by the fans, and also attained the title of the top assister of goals in the Bundesliga.

In 2003, Die Welt wrote that Mahdavikia is worth €8–10 million.[11]

However, compared to his previous season, he had a poor season in 2004–05 and was benched. In the 2005–06 season he gained his old form back and was able to regain his spot as a starter, being influential in many of Hamburg's victories, such as scoring the winning goal against then Bundesliga heavyweights Schalke.

Mahdavikia's strongest points were his vision, passing skills, fast-paced runs (his nickname in Iran is "The Rocket"), and set-pieces such as corners, spotkicks and free kicks. He usually was the right-footed alternative to Van der Vaart's well known left foot. Apart from being a total professional on the pitch, he is also known as a perfect gentleman off the pitch, always finding the time for fans and reporters to answer questions or sign autographs.

His nickname in Hamburg is The Carpet (der Teppich) for his ability to "magically glide past" his opponents like the enchanted carpet.

Eintracht Frankfurt

On 8 June 2007 he signed a three-year contract with Eintracht Frankfurt.[12]

In his first season, he had two bad injuries that forced him to miss many matches. In the second season he was mostly benched and not used in many matches which showed that the club did not want him anymore. After 255 Games (26 goals, 55 assists) in the Bundesliga for HSV, Bochum and Eintracht Frankfurt, left Germany to sign for Steel Azin in January 2010.[13]

Return to Iran

On 4 July 2011, Mahdavikia signed a contract with Amir Abedini, President of the Damash Gilan to join to the club for one year but he was joined to his beloved club, Persepolis in mid-season to play for club in his last year of playing football.[14] He extended his contract with Persepolis for another season on 19 June 2012.[15]

Retirement
Mahdavikia in his last match for Persepolis

On 2 March 2013, he announced that he would retire at the end of the 2012–13 season. Persepolis also announced that Mahdavikia's farewell match would be in a pre-season friendly match against A.C. Milan in June 2013, played in the Azadi Stadium,[16] but it was later announced that Mahdavikia's last match would be against his former side, Hamburger SV in June 2013 in the same stadium.

Mahdavikia confirmed on 14 March 2013 that he ended his active football career. He played his last match as a football player in the 2013 Hazfi Cup Final, coming on extra time as a substitute. On 28 November 2013, he played a farewell match at Azadi Stadium between Persepolis XI and A.C. Milan XI. Participants in the match included former teams' legends like Hamid Derakhshan, Mohammad Panjali, Farshad Pious, Karim Bagheri, Hamid Estili, Nasser Mohammadkhani, Pejman Jamshidi, Edmond Bezik which played for Persepolis and Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, Daniele Massaro, Gennaro Gattuso and Alberigo Evani for A.C. Milan. Persepolis were managed by the club's most successful manager Ali Parvin. When Mahdavikia came on as a substitute in the 32nd minute, Pious gave his shirt to Mahdavikia, in a remarkable replay after seventeen years that Pious did so in Mahdavikia's first match for Persepolis. The match was won by A.C. Milan XI 3–1 with Mahdavikia assisting the only goal.

Club career statistics
Source:[17][18][19]
Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals
Iran League Hazfi Cup League Cup Asia Total
1994–95Bank MelliDivision 2 1810
1995–96PersepolisAzadegan League 111–––111
1996–97 28922713712
1997–98 66–43109
1998–99 9200–92
1998–99Pas ––2020
Germany League DFB-Pokal DFL-Ligapokal Europe Total
1998–99BochumBundesliga 12300––123
1999–00Hamburg 29410–62366
2000–01 295111093409
2001–02 11100––111
2002–03 26220282
Hamburg AmateureRegionalliga Nord 200020
2003–04HamburgBundesliga 325213020396
2004–05 26210–00272
2005–06 31531100446
2006–07 272102080382
2007–08Eintracht Frankfurt 20010––210
2008–09 12020140
2009–10 000000
Iran League Hazfi Cup League Cup Asia Total
2009–10Steel AzinPro League 8232––114
2010–11 26200262
2011–12Damash 14020160
Persepolis 1100030140
2012–13 16320–183
CountryIran 1292594–16417243
Germany 255291436035531037
Total 384542376051948280
  • Assist Goals
SeasonTeamAssists
09–10Steel Azin2
10–114
11–12Damash2
Persepolis1
12–134

International career
Mahdavikia in August 2006

Having been awarded the Asian Young Footballer of the Year award in 1997, Mahdavikia was considered Iran's best player in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and was named in the list from which the team of the tournament was chosen. In 2003, he was awarded Asian Player of the Year by the Asian Football Confederation. He was also the top assister in the 2004 Asian Cup, exhibiting stunning form to steer Iran's attack to superb attacking football. He played in four Asian Cups (1996, 2000, 2004, 2007) and two World Cups (1998, 2006).

Mahdavikia was one of the influential players that played in Iran's crucial 1–0 victory over Bahrain to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup held in Germany. Following the FIFA World Cup in Germany, 2006, Mahdavikia was expected to assume the role of Captain in the Iranian national side, replacing Ali Daei and Yahya Golmohammadi who had publicly announced their intention to retire after the tournament. Mahdavikia was given the captain's band on 16 August 2006 in an Asian Cup qualifier versus Syria.

Mahdavikia has reportedly been forced to "retire" from international football[20] after wearing a green bracelet in the final World Cup 2010 qualification match against the Republic of Korea. The green bracelet was a sign of support for those protesting the highly contested Iranian presidential election.[21] He was forced to retire from Team Melli after 13 years and playing in 2 World Cups (1998, 2006), 4 Asian Cups (1996, 2000, 2004, 2007), 1 Asian Games tournament (1998), 4 World Cup qualifying campaigns (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010), 3 Asian Cup qualifying campaigns (2000, 2004, 2007) and one AFC/OFC Cup.

Iran[22]
YearAppsGoals
199630
1997215
1998172
199920
2000152
2001111
200330
2004101
200571
200670
2007610
200831
200960
Total11113
  • 1.^ Excluding a friendly match against Ghana U-23 that is not considered a full international.[22]

International goals
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
121 April 1997Tabriz, Iran Kenya3–0WinFriendly
22 June 1997Damascus, Syria Maldives17–0Win1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
311 June 1997Tehran, Iran Maldives9–0Win1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
413 September 1997Dalian, China China PR4–2Win1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
513 September 1997Dalian, China China PR4–2Win1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
631 January 1998Hong Kong, Hong Kong Chile1–1DrawFriendly
721 June 1998Lyon, France United States2–1Win1998 FIFA World Cup
816 January 2000Pasadena, USA United States1–1DrawFriendly
931 March 2000Aleppo, Syria Maldives8–0Win2000 AFC Asian Cup qualification
1012 October 2001Tehran, Iran Iraq2–1Win2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
1118 February 2004Tehran, Iran Qatar3–1Win2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
1230 March 2005Pyongyang, North Korea North Korea2–0Win2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
1315 October 2008Tehran, Iran North Korea2–1Win2010 FIFA World Cup qualification

Managerial career

He was the manager of the Iranian youth teams.[23] In 2015, he founded the KIA Football Academy with Ali Doustimehr. He currently has a role as a youth coach with Hamburger SV.[24]

In May 2019, Mahdavikia obtained UEFA A Licence and plans to enter DFB's Fußballlehrer course.[1]

Honours

Persepolis

Hamburger SV

Iran

Individual

Personal life
Mehdi Mahdavikia in 2012

Mahdavikia played several sports as a youngster and was exceptionally talented at handball, even being named captain of Iran's under 14 team.[30]

Mahdavikia is married to Sepideh and has a daughter, Asal.

In April 2006, Mahdavikia caused a stir when it came out he married a second wife named, Samira Samii, while being in his native Iran in December 2005, thus practising bigamy. He himself stated that he made a "big mistake", and they divorced after a short while.[31][32][33][34]

Mahdavikia's younger brother, Hadi played for Homa F.C. and Persepolis F.C., and now is the head coach of KIA Football Academy. Mahdavikia's nephew Mostafa is also a football player in Iran.

Famous matches

Mahdavikia's most prolific club match was Hamburger SV's match against Juventus in the Champions League. He was the impetus that rallied Hamburg back after being down 3–1 by scoring once, assisting one and winning a penalty for Hamburg that saw Hamburg take a 4–3 lead; Juve managed to equalise with an Inzaghi penalty.

Another famous game in the HSV shirt came in week 30 of the 2002–03 season. Mahdavikia scored one and assisted another two goals in Hamburg's 4–0 win over 1. FC Nuremberg. Kicker gave him a much rare perfect note of 1.0.

Mehdi's greatest national team match, arguably, was against South Korea in the 2004 Asia Cup where he assisted three goals in Iran's 4–3 win. Many also point to his dynamic game against the United States in World Cup 1998 that saw him score Iran's second and winning goal, as his best ever. Another excellent match where he scored two great goals was against China in the qualification round for the 1998 World Cup when he was just 20 years old.

References
  1. "Kultprofi Mahdavikia besteht A-Lizenz-Prüfung", Hamburger Abendblatt, 24 May 2019, retrieved 2 December 2019
  2. "Iranian legend inspires U-17 side". FIFA. 4 March 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  3. Pezhman Pars (20 January 2015). "Iransk U-19-talang: "Jag vill spela i OS 2016"" (in Swedish). SvenskaFans.com. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  4. Marc-Oliver Robbers (20 January 2016). "Mahdavikia will als Trainer hoch hinaus" (in German). Sportnachrichten. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  5. Marc-Oliver Robbers (1 June 2018). "Irans Legende Mehdi Mahdavikia im Interview: "Wir haben Bayern geschlagen"" (in German). Comunio. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  6. "Mahdavikia Joins Hamburger U21 Team as Assistant Coach". Financial Tribune. 22 July 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  7. "IFAB hails Iran's Mahdavikia joining AFC advisory Panel". IRNA. 18 October 2003. 83522358. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  8. "Mahdavikia, Lili proud to play ambassador roles". the-afc.com. 15 May 2013. Archived from the original on 22 June 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  9. "Mahdavikia scoops Asian best player award". FIFA. 11 December 2003. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  10. Zimmermann, Kai (7 September 1999). "Weil das Team so stark spielt, steigt der Marktwert von Pagels Profis ganz enorm / Lange Vertragszeiten zahlen sich nun aus 100 Millionen: So wertvoll ist der HSV". Hamburger Morgenpost (in German). Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  11. Linnenbrügger, Matthias (27 May 2003). "Mahdavikia pokert mit dem HSV um Millionen". Die Welt (in German). Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  12. "Eintracht denkt an Mahdavikia" [Eintracht thinks about Mahdavikia]. kicker.de (in German). 8 June 2007. Retrieved 9 December 2007.
  13. "Mehdi Mahdavikia verlässt Eintracht Frankfurt" [Mehdi Mahdavikia leaves Eintracht Frankfurt] (in German). eintracht.de. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
  14. مهدوي‌كيا قراردادش را با داماش امضا كرد [Mahdavikia signs contract with Damash] (in Persian). 4 July 2011. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  15. مهدوی کیا قراردادش را با پرسپولیس سفید امضاء کرد [Mahdavikia extended contract with Persepolis] (in Persian). fc-perspolis.com. Archived from the original on 22 June 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  16. "Mahdavikia will be played his last match against A.C. Milan" [Mahdavikia will be played his last match against A.C. Milan] (in Persian). dsport.ir. Archived from the original on 5 March 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  17. Zarei, Ehsan (10 March 2013), نگاهی به 21 سال فوتبال پر افتخار کاپیتان کیا / دوست داشتنی ترین موشک دنیا (in Persian), KhabarOnline, retrieved 10 March 2013
  18. Mehdi Mahdavikia, FBref, retrieved 10 October 2019
  19. Mehdi Mahdavikia Club matches, worldfootball.net, retrieved 10 October 2019
  20. Robert Tait (23 June 2009). "Iran bans election protest footballers". The guardian. Retrieved 24 June 2009.
  21. "Reports: Iranian Soccer Stars Forced to 'Retire' Over Wristband Protest". foxnews.com. 23 June 2009. Archived from the original on 23 August 2009. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
  22. Mamrud, Roberto (28 August 2009). "Mehdi Mahdavikia – Century of International Appearances". RSSSF. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  23. "Mehdi Mahdavikia appointed as Youth teams Manager". teammelli.com. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  24. "Mahdavikia braucht 'nen Nachfolger". mopo.de. 20 May 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  25. "Valencia 0-0 Hamburg (Aggregate: 0 - 1)". uefa.com. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  26. Pierrend, José; Garin, Erik. "Asian Player of the Year". RSSSF. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  27. "Bundesliga - Scorer - 2002/03" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  28. "HSV-Presseservice: 125 Jahre HSV - Die große Gala" (in German). Presseportal. 29 June 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  29. "Fans' Best XI Announced!". AFC. 16 November 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  30. "Mahdavikia: "Ich wäre gerne Bundesligatrainer"". DFB (in German). 18 January 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  31. "Bigamie in Bundesliga?" (in German). n-tv.de. 12 April 2006. Archived from the original on 17 January 2009. Retrieved 22 February 2007.
  32. "Bigamie: Zweitfrau verklagt HSV-Spieler". FOCUS Online (in German). 15 April 2006. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  33. FOCUS Online (12 April 2006). "Doppel-Ehe: Mahdavikia gesteht "großen Fehler" ein". FOCUS Online (in German). Archived from the original on 17 January 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  34. Linder, Armin (12 February 2013). "Samira Samii (Samiee) beim TSV 1860 München zu Gesprächen". TZ (in German). Retrieved 12 January 2015.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Ali Daei		 Iran national football team captain
2006–2009		 Succeeded by
Javad Nekounam
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