Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Tehran: The AFC Player of the Year 2003 Mehdi Mahdavikia has announced retirement from all forms of football with immediate effect bringing an end to a glittering one-and-half decade of active football.
Mahdavikia, who played 111 times for Iran national team, is currently playing for Tehran giants Persepolis. The winger and right back was also adjudged Asian Young Footballer of the Year in 1997.
The 36-year old came in prominence in his eight years spell at Bundesliga outfit Hamburger SV. He had announced his retirement from Iran national team in 2009 with the FIFA World Cup 2010 Asian qualifiers match against Korea Republic being his last outings with Team Melli.
The Tehran native is famous for his three goal assists to fellow Persepolis midfielder Ali Karimi during the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup 2004 in their 4-3 win over Korea Republic. Iran went on to finish third in the competition.