Rahman Rezaei

Infobox Football biography
playername = Rahman Rezaei


fullname = Rahman Rezaei
height = 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1975|2|20|df=yes
cityofbirth = Noor
countryofbirth = Iran
currentclub
clubnumber = "TBA"
contractend =
position = Defender
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1998–2001
2001–2003
2003–2006
2006–2008
–
clubs = Zob Ahan
Perugia
Messina
Livorno
caps(goals) =
038 (5)
107 (2)
021 (1)
000 (0)
nationalyears = 2001–2007
nationalteam = Iran
nationalcaps(goals) = 056 (3)
pcupdate = 22:59, 04 July 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = 22:59, 04 July 2008 (UTC)

Rahman Rezaei (PerB| رحمان رضايی , born 20 February 1975 in Noor) is an Iranian football player and is a former member of the Iran national football team. He usually plays in the centre back position.

Club career

He was originally discovered by Iranian manager, Nasser Hejazi. Rezaei played for F.C. Zob Ahan in Isfahan for three seasons. After impressive performances for the club and the national team, he was transferred to Perugia and then to Messina.

Rahman Rezaei is currently the most successful Asian defender in Europe.cite web|url=http://stats.globesports.com/seri/players.asp?player=18841|title=GlobeandMail.com: Soccer - Rahman Rezaei|publisher=Globe and Mail|accessdate=2007-07-30] In the 2003/2004 season, he helped Messina gain promotion to Serie A.cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/international?id=16448&league=afc.cup&season=2007&cc=3436|title=ESPNsoccernet: Rahman Rezaei|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=2007-07-30] He had been one of Messina's most consistently used players with 36 appearances in their 2004-05 mid-table finish. ] After steadily playing for his club for three seasons, at the end of August 2006 Rezaei signed with another Serie A club, Livorno.

He has won numerous plaudits in Italy and has been dubbed "The Flying Carpet". ] In addition, his fans in Messina have named him the "Secretary of Defense". ] In January 2006, he acquired Italian citizenship through his marriage to an Italian-Iranian woman. ]

In January 2008 Rahman's agent stated that Torino is interested in Rezaei and there may be a future move.

In July 2008, an Iranian newspaper reported Iranian giants Persepolis F.C. were holding talks with Rezaei. However, in mid-July, Afhsin Ghotbi was re=appointed manager of Persepolis and cut the talks with Rezaei, stating that the club were not looking for a centre-back player at that moment in time.

Club career statistics

Last update: 20 May 2008

International career

Rahman Rezaei made his first appearance for Iran in July 2001 against Bosnia. He has been the most consistent defender for the team ever since.Fact|date=July 2007

In European football, Rahman Rezaei is considered a solid defender well inclined to launch devastating counter attacks. However his role is different in the Iranian national football team, where he is a straight defensive centre back. He was formerly a forward, but has proved to be an indispensable defensive stalwart for an Iranian side considered top-heavy in attacking players.

He was among the key players for Iran in World Cup 2006, but he did not perform as well as everyone had hoped. He received some criticism following a couple mistakes which led to goals being scored against the team.Fact|date=July 2007

On April 6, 2007 Rezaei stated he will retire from international football after the 2007 Asian Cup. [cite web|url=http://isna.ir/Main/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-897904&Lang=P|title=fa icon پس از جام ملت‌ها از تيم ملي خداحافظي مي‌كنم |publisher=ISNA|accessdate=2007-07-22] [cite web|url=http://www.lastkick.com/fa/?p=1089|title=fa icon رحمان رضايي رسما از تيم ملي فوتبال خداحافظي كرد |publisher=ISNA|accessdate=2007-07-22] , but in another interview in December 2007 he expressed his intention to return to the national team. [cite web|url=http://iransportspress.com/?c=143&a=4915|title=Rahman Rezaei: I intend to return to the national team|publisher="IranSportsPress"|accessdate=2008-01-10] Rezaei has been given his #5 jersey and has been selected in Team Melli's 2010 World Cup Qualification matches.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.livornocalcio.it/giocatori/rezaei.php Rahman's profile on Official Website of A.S. Livorno Calcio]
* [http://www.teammelli.com/Roster/RezaeiRoster.htm Rahman Rezaei] at [http://www.teammelli.com TeamMelli.com]