Ramin Rezaeian

Ramin Rezaeian Semeskandi (Persian: رامین رضائیان سمسکندی; born 21 March 1990) is an Iranian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Persian Gulf Pro League club Esteghlal and the Iran national team.

Ramin Rezaeian

Personal information
Full name	Ramin Rezaeian Semeskandi[1]
Date of birth	(1990-03-21) 21 March 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth	Sari, Iran
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[1]
Position(s)	Right back, Winger
Team information
Current team	Esteghlal
Number	10
Youth career
2002–2008	Shahrdari Sari
2008–2009	Shensa-ye Tehran
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2009–2013	Saba Qom	100	(6)
2013–2015	Rah Ahan	54	(11)
2015–2017	Persepolis	40	(9)
2017–2018	KV Oostende	16	(1)
2018–2020	Al Shahania	32	(17)
2020–2022	Al-Duhail	10	(2)
2021–2022	→ Al-Sailiya (loan)	24	(5)
2022	Persepolis	13	(0)
2022–2024	Sepahan	55	(12)
2024–	Esteghlal	2	(2)
International career‡
2015–	Iran	63	(6)
Medal record Representing  Iran CAFA Nations Cup Winner 2023 Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17 March 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 26 March 2024

He started his career as a right-back, but he often plays as a winger. Rezaeian was Carlos Queiroz's first choice on the right side of the defence of the Iran men's national team in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification matches. Known for his great speed, agility, and athleticism, he is often regarded as one of Iran's best ever fullbacks.

Early life

Rezaeian was born in Semes Kandeh-ye Olya, a village in Sari County, Mazanderan.^[2]

Club career

Saba Qom

Rezaeian played his entire career for Saba Qom before signing for Rah Ahan in 2013.^[3] He made 98 appearances for the club scoring seven goals.

Rah Ahan

Rezaeian signed a three–year with the Tehran-based club Rah Ahan in 2013. After several good performances in the 2014–15 season, Rezaeian was recognized as one of the best fullbacks in the league and was called up to the national team. On 3 April 2015, Rezaeian scored his team's first goal in a 2–2 draw against Persepolis. Two weeks later, on 17 April, he scored a brace in a 2–2 draw against Esteghlal Khuzestan.

Persepolis

Rezaeian (right) playing in Tehran derby in 2017

Rezaeian joined Persepolis on 27 June 2015 with a two-year contract.^[4] He scored his first goal for Persepolis in a 2–0 victory against Siah Jamegan. On 26 December 2015, Rezaeian scored a 30-yard free kick against Padideh in stoppage time to earn them a 2–2 draw. He also scored the third goal for Persepolis in the Tehran derby against Esteghlal F.C. on 15 April 2016. Persepolis won that derby 4-2. After initially signing a contract with Turkish Süper Lig club Rizespor in the summer of 2016,^[5] Rezaeian cancelled his contract and re–joined Persepolis.

After an altercation with teammate Ali Alipour during a training camp before an AFC Champions League match, Rezaeian was told to train by himself. After a few weeks, his contract was eventually terminated with Persepolis and he was released.

Oostende

After rejecting an offer from Tehran rivals Esteghlal F.C., Rezaeian joined Belgian club K.V. Oostende on 9 July 2017 with a two-year contract after a successful trial period at the club. Ramin made his debut on 27 July 2017 in a 3rd round Europa League qualifier against French club Olympique de Marseille. Oostende lost the match 4–2 and Rezaeian played the full 90 minutes.

Al Shahania

On 6 November 2018, Rezaeian joined Qatar Stars League side Al Shahania.^[6] In his first match with the club, on 8 November, Ramin scored a free kick goal in his team's 5–1 loss to Al Duhail. On 23 November, in his second match with his club, Ramin assisted his team's only goal in a 1–0 win against Al-Kharitiyath.

Al-Duhail

On 22 August 2020, Rezaeian signed a two-year contract with Qatar Stars League champion, Al-Duhail.^[7]

Al-Sailiya

After the engagement of the new trainer from Al-Duhail, Rezaein was loaned to Al-Sailiya.^[8]

Persepolis

On 12 February 2022, Rezaeian signed a contract with Persian Gulf Pro League champions Persepolis.^[9][10]

Sepahan

On 15 July 2022, Rezaeian signed a contract with Persian Gulf Pro League side Sepahan.^[11]

International career

Rezaeian (in white) at the 2018 FIFA World Cup (Iran–Portugal match)

He was called into Iran's 2015 AFC Asian Cup squad on 30 December 2014 by Carlos Queiroz.^[12] He made his debut against Iraq in a friendly on 4 January 2015. He also played a friendly match against Sweden. Rezaeian scored his first international goal on 17 November 2015 in a 6–0 victory against Guam. In May 2018, he was named in Iran's preliminary squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.^[13][14]

2021

Despite his good performances, he was not invited to the national team.

Style of play

Rezaeian has a high-level skill in long and fast starts.^[15] He has a high skill in long passes and corner and free kicks. He also has good scoring skills.^[16]

BBC Persian wrote about him: "On the right side, Ramin Rezaeian is the key player of Branko. He is considered Branko's savior with his scoring power in difficult situations."^[17]

Personal life

Rezaeian and fans in Tehran in 2019

He is popular among Iranian football fans, especially Persepolis fans.^[18][19] His father is a retired doctor and he has only one older sister. Among football players, he is interested in Iranian legend, Ali Karimi. He has announced that he controls his diet and loves ice cream.^[20]

Career statistics

Club

As of 17 March 2024

Club	Season	League			National Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Saba	2009–10	Pro League	20	1	0	0	—		—		20	1
	2010–11		22	1	1	0					23	1
	2011–12		24	0	2	0					26	0
	2012–13		31	4	0	0	1	0			32	4
	Total		97	6	3	0	1	0	—		101	6
Rah Ahan	2013–14	Pro League	27	2	3	2	—		—		30	4
	2014–15		27	9	2	0					29	9
	Total		54	11	5	2	—		—		59	13
Persepolis	2015–16	Pro League	28	5	2	0	—		—		30	5
	2016–17		12	4	1	0	1	0			14	4
	Total		40	9	3	0	1	0	—		44	9
Oostende	2017–18	First Division	16	1	2	0	2	0	5	1	25	2
Al Shahania	2018–19	QSL	11	4	0	0	—		—		11	4
	2019–20		21	13	0	0			1	0	22	13
	Total		32	17	0	0	0	0	1	0	33	17
Al Duhail	2019-20	Qatar Stars League	0	0	0	0	3	1	—		3	1
	2020–21		10	2	—		—		0	0	10	2
	Total		10	2	0	0	3	1	0	0	13	3
Al Sailiya	2020-21	Qatar Stars League	11	3	2	0	0	0	5	0	18	3
	2021–22		13	2	—		0	0	5	2	18	4
	Total		24	5	2	0	0	0	10	2	36	7
Persepolis	2021–22	Pro League	13	0	1	0	—		—		14	0
Sepahan	2022–23	Persian Gulf Pro League	29	7	2	0	—	—	—	—	31	7
	2023–24		27	8	5	1	7	5	—	—	39	14
	Total		56	15	7	1	7	5	0	0	70	21
Esteghlal	2024-25	Persian Gulf Pro League	2	2	0	0	0	0	-	-	2	2
Career total			334	64	19	2	14	6	16	3	383	75

International

Ramin Rezaeian during Iran men's national football team's practice at Moscow's Locomotive Club in June 2018.

Statistics accurate as of match play

As of 26 March 2024

Iran
Year	Apps	Goals
2015	7	1
2016	9	1
2017	8	0
2018	11	0
2019	10	0
2022	3	1
2023	10	3
2024	7	0
Total	65	6

International goals

Scores and results list Iran's goal tally first.

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	17 November 2015	GFA National Training Center, Dededo, Guam	Guam	3–0	6–0	2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
2.	10 November 2016	Shah Alam Stadium, Shah Alam, Malaysia	Papua New Guinea	8–1	8–1	Friendly
3.	25 November 2022	Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar	Wales	2–0	2–0	2022 FIFA World Cup
4.	28 March 2023	Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran	Kenya	2–1	2–1	Friendly
5.	16 November 2023		Hong Kong	4–0	4–0	2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
6.	21 November 2023	Milliy Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan	Uzbekistan	1–0	2–2

Honours

Persepolis

• Iran Pro League: 2016–17; runner-up: 2015–16

Al-Sailiya

• Qatari Stars Cup: 2020–21
• QFA Cup: 2021^[21]

Sepahan

• Iranian Hazfi Cup: 2023–24

Individual

• Iran Pro League Team of the Season: 2014–15, 2015–16

References

1. "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Squad list: IR Iran (IRN)" (PDF). FIFA. 15 November 2022. p. 15. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
2. "ملی پوشان مازندرانی در پی درخشش در جام جهانی فوتبال" [Mazanderani national players looking for a shine at the Football World Cup]. IRIB News (in Persian). Retrieved 5 October 2018.
3. "Iranian Premier League Stats: 2018-2019 Season". IPLstats.com. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
4. "بازیکن تیم ملی فوتبال ایران سرخپوش شد" [Iran national team player became a red-wearer]. FC-Perspolis.com (in Persian). Retrieved 5 October 2018.
5. "فوتبالی‌ترین - پاسخ منفی رضاییان به پیشنهاد تیم ترکیه‌ای". footballitarin.com.
6. "Qatar's Al Shahania Signs Iranian Ramin Rezaeian". tasnimnews.com. 6 November 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
7. "Al-Duhail signs Iranian winger Ramin Rezaeian". Mehr News Agency. 23 August 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
8. "Ramin Rezaeian joins Al Sailiya club". Tehran Times. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
9. "رسمی؛ رامین رضاییان به پرسپولیس پیوست (عکس)". ورزش سه (in Persian). Retrieved 12 February 2022.
10. "رامین رضاییان رسماً به پرسپولیس برگشت- اخبار فوتبال ایران - اخبار ورزشی تسنیم | Tasnim". خبرگزاری تسنیم | Tasnim (in Persian). Retrieved 12 February 2022.
11. "رضاییان به سپاهان پیوست (عکس)". ورزش سه (in Persian). Retrieved 15 July 2022.
12. "Queiroz Names Team Melli Squad". AFCAsianCup.com. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
13. "World Cup 2018: All the confirmed squads for this summer's finals in Russia". BBC. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
14. "Queiroz names Iran World Cup squad". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
15. اسپورت, آی. "تفاوت سبک محرمی و رضاییان: بازی در فضا". آی اسپورت (in Persian). Retrieved 10 July 2022.
16. "ببینید | آنالیز جذاب عملکرد رضاییان؛ چرا جذب رامین برای پرسپولیس حیاتی بود؟". خبرآنلاین (in Persian). 16 February 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
17. "لیگ برتر فوتبال ایران؛ جدال کروات‌ها در ورزشگاه آزادی". BBC News فارسی (in Persian). 1 February 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
18. "چند دلیل برای بازگشت رامین رضاییان به پرسپولیس؛ از چراغ سبز یحیی تا آخرین فرصت حضور در جام جهانی". قوه قضائیه | خبرگزاری میزان | Mizan Online News Agency (in Persian). 10 July 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
19. "رامین رضاییان و قرمزترین حالت ممکن". خبرگزاری ایلنا (in Persian). Retrieved 10 July 2022.
20. فتوکده (22 July 2020). "بیوگرافی رامین رضاییان (بازیکن فوتبال) با عکس جدید آماندا" (in Persian). Retrieved 10 July 2022.
21. "Al Sailiya  1–0 Al Markhiya  – 05 mai 2021 / Qatar FA Cup 2021". footballdatabase.eu. Retrieved 24 November 2021.

External links

Ramin Rezaian at Soccerway.com

• Ramin Rezaian at WorldFootball.net
• Ramin Rezaian at Soccerbase.com
• Ramin Rezaian at National-Football-Teams.com
• Ramin Rezaian at FBref.com