Mehdi Torabi


Mehdi Torabi is an Iranian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Persian Gulf Pro League club Tractor and the Iran national team.
He began his career at Saipa, and then played for Persepolis between 2019 and 2020. He played for Qatari side Al-Arabi between 2020 and 2021, later rejoining Persepolis. He joined Tractor in 2024 and has been regarded as the club's fan favorite.
Torabi made his first senior appearance in 2015, and represented Iran at the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and 2022, and the AFC Asian Cup in 2019 and 2023.

Early life and family

Mahdi Torabi was born on 10 September 1994 in Karaj, Alborz province, Iran.

Club career

Saipa

Torabi's career began with the Saipa youth squad. He was promoted to the first team by Mojtaba Taghavi in the summer of 2012. He made his debut in the 2013–14 Persian Gulf Cup season against Mes Kerman as a substitute for Kaveh Rezaei.

Persepolis

On 1 July 2018, Torabi signed a three-year deal with Persepolis. He was sent on back on loan to Saipa for the first half of the season until Persepolis had served their transfer ban. On 16 December 2018, Torabi officially joined Persepolis' squad and was assigned the number 9.
Torabi scored his first goal for Persepolis in a 3–2 victory over Saipa on 13 April 2019.

Al-Arabi

In October 2020, Torabi joined Al-Arabi and played in the Qatar Stars League.

Return to Persepolis

In February 2021, he rejoined Persepolis to play in the Persian Gulf Pro League.

Tractor

In the summer of 2024, it was announced that he wanted to transfer to another team for more income but he himself said that he changed his team to improve his mental condition, not to earn money.
On 10 July 2024, Torabi joined Persian Gulf Pro League side Tractor.

International career

Youth level

He was invited to Iran U23 preliminary camp by Nelo Vingada. Torabi was included in the squad for the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship by coach Mohammad Khakpour and he scored his first goal of the tournament in the last group match against China from a 30-yard free kick.

Senior level

He made his debut against Uzbekistan in a friendly on 11 June 2015 where he scored the lone goal of the match. On 3 September 2015, Torabi came off the bench to score in a 6–0 victory against Guam. In May 2018 he was named in Iran's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. In November 2022, Torabi was listed in Iran's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Personal life

Political views

Torabi is a supporter of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, having worn a shirt in support of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and wanting to offer him a football as a gift during the Mahsa Amini protests. In 2019, Torabi lifted his shirt up with a message of support to the government during the 2019–2020 Iranian protests as well. The literal translation of his message was "The only path to salvation of country is to follow orders of the leader".

Career statistics

International goals

No.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.11 June 2015Bunyodkor Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan11–01–0Friendly
2.3 September 2015Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran36–06–02018 [FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round|2018 FIFA World Cup qualification]
3.13 October 2015Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran51–01–1Friendly
4.7 June 2016Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran103–06–0Friendly
5.11 September 2018Bunyodkor Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan181–01–0Friendly
6.16 October 2018Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran192–12–1Friendly
7.10 November 2022Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran361–01–0Friendly

Honours

Club

Persepolis
Tractor

Individual