Mehdi Ghayedi

Known for his high speed, agility, and flair, he is nicknamed the "Neymar of Asia".

Mehdi Ghayedi

Ghayedi with Esteghlal at Pro League in 2023
Personal information
Full name	Mehdi Ghayedi
Date of birth	(1998-12-05) 5 December 1998 (age 25)
Place of birth	Bushehr, Iran
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s)	Winger, forward
Team information
Current team	Ittihad Kalba (on loan from Shabab Al Ahli)
Number	10
Youth career
2011–2012	Iranjavan
2012–2013	Esteghlal Bushehr
2013–2016	Shahin Bushehr
2016	Iranjavan
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2016–2017	Iranjavan	29	(10)
2017–2021	Esteghlal	81	(19)
2021–	Shabab Al Ahli	22	(4)
2022–2023	→ Esteghlal (loan)	29	(12)
2023–	→ Ittihad Kalba (loan)	21	(9)
International career‡
2017	Iran U20	2	(1)
2018–2020	Iran U23	8	(2)
2020–	Iran	18	(7)
Medal record Representing  Iran CAFA Nations Cup Winner 2023 Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 26 April 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 26 March 2024

Iranjavan

Ghayedi was born in Bushehr, Iran, and started his career at youth level with Iranjavan Bushehr. He was promoted to the senior squad before the start of the 2016–17 and scored 10 times. He was named as the Azadegan League young player of the season for the 2016–17 season in July 2017.

Esteghlal

 

On 8 June 2017, Ghayedi signed a three-year contract with Esteghlal, upon signing for Esteghlal, he was given the number 16.

At the start of the season the FFIRI banned him from playing along with two fellow Esteghlal teammates Majid Hosseini and Omid Noorafkan as Alireza Mansourian prevented them to join Iran under-23 camp. The deprivation from the FFIRI was finally cancelled on 29 July 2017 after missing the first week of the season and the players eligible to play for the second week of the 2017–18 campaign. He finally made his debut for Esteghlal on 4 August 2017, in a 0–0 draw against Esteghlal Khuzestan entering the match as a substitute for Omid Noorafkan. At the end of the match, even though he played for a few minutes, he was praised for his skills and effort. After making his debut he became the youngest player to play for the club in the league, a record which was held by Omid Noorafkan previously.

Ghayedi started his first match for the club in a 3–0 victory over Sepahan on 6 December. On 25 January 2018, Esteghlal was awarded a penalty after a foul on Ghayedi which was converted by Server Djeparov in the 4–0 victory against Pars Jonoubi Jam; he also assisted Ali Ghorbani's goal in the same match. He was named the man of the match for his performance.

On 29 January, Ghayedi was involved in a serious car crash in his hometown Bushehr along with his friends and his cousin who died a few days later. As result of the accident, he went through a surgery due to his Spleen being damaged by trauma and was ruled out for the rest of the season. A day later Esteghlal beat Sanat Naft in Hazfi Cup and his teammates dedicated the victory to him. In August 2021, Ghayedi was linked with a move to Qatari side Al-Gharafa.

Shabab Al Ahli

On 23 August 2021, Ghayedi transferred to Shabab Al Ahli Dubai on a five-year contract.

Youth

Ghayedi was selected to join Iran under-20 to take part in the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, under manager Amir Hossein Peiravani. After sitting on the bench for Iran's opening match against Costa Rica, he made his tournament debut against Zambia and played for 18 minutes in Iran's 4–2 defeat. He also played for a few minutes against Portugal as Iran lost the match and was knocked out of the competition.

Senior

 

On 4 October 2020, Dragan Skočić called Ghayedi up for friendly against Uzbekistan. On 8 October 2020, he made his senior international debut against Uzbekistan.

Ghayedi often uses nutmeg skill for dribbling in one-on-one situations.

Club

As of match played 26 April 2024