25 Facts About Mehdi Mahdavikia

Mehdi Mahdavikia is an Iranian professional football coach and former player usually played as a right winger or right back.

Mehdi Mahdavikia was at Hamburger SV as a youth coach, and managed his own youth academy, FC KIA.

Mehdi Mahdavikia is currently head coach of Al Jazeera Al Hamra FC in UAE League 2.

On 15 May 2013, Mehdi Mahdavikia was appointed as AFC Grassroots Ambassador.

Mehdi Mahdavikia played for Iranian clubs Bank Melli, Persepolis, Steel Azin and Damash Gilan, as well as German clubs VfL Bochum, Hamburger SV and Eintracht Frankfurt, spending 12 consecutive seasons in Bundesliga.

Mehdi Mahdavikia won the Asian Young Footballer of the Year award in 1997 as well as the Asian Footballer of the Year award in 2003.

Mehdi Mahdavikia was known for his crossing, speed and dribbling.

Mehdi Mahdavikia first played for Persepolis in his native Iran before moving to VfL Bochum in Germany.

Mehdi Mahdavikia played some matches for Pas in Asian games as help for the club.

Under coach Frank Pagelsdorf Mehdi Mahdavikia used to play wide striker.

Mehdi Mahdavikia was awarded Hamburg Player of the Year in 2003 and 2004 by the fans, and attained the title of the top assister of goals in the Bundesliga.

Mehdi Mahdavikia usually was the right-footed alternative to Van der Vaart's well known left foot.

On 8 June 2007, Mehdi Mahdavikia signed a three-year contract with Eintracht Frankfurt.

On 4 July 2011, Mehdi Mahdavikia signed a contract with Amir Abedini, President of the Damash Gilan to join to the club for one year but he was joined to his beloved club, Persepolis in mid-season to play for club in his last year of playing football.

Mehdi Mahdavikia extended his contract with Persepolis for another season on 19 June 2012.

Mehdi Mahdavikia confirmed on 14 March 2013 that he ended his active football career.

Mehdi Mahdavikia played his last match as a football player in the 2013 Hazfi Cup Final, coming on extra time as a substitute.

Mehdi Mahdavikia was the top assister in the 2004 Asian Cup, exhibiting stunning form to steer Iran's attack to superb attacking football.

Mehdi Mahdavikia played in four Asian Cups and two World Cups.

Mehdi Mahdavikia was given the captain's band on 16 August 2006 in an Asian Cup qualifier versus Syria.

Mehdi Mahdavikia has reportedly been forced to "retire" from international football after wearing a green bracelet in the final World Cup 2010 qualification match against the Republic of Korea.

Mehdi Mahdavikia currently has a role as a youth coach with Hamburger SV.

Mehdi Mahdavikia played several sports as a youngster and was exceptionally talented at handball, even being named captain of Iran's under 14 team.

Mehdi Mahdavikia is married to Sepideh and has a daughter, Asal.

Mehdi Mahdavikia himself stated that he made a "big mistake", and they divorced after a short while.