View source for Mehdi Mahdavikia

{{Short description|Iranian football coach and former player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Mehdi Mahdavikia
| fullname = Mehdi Mahdavikia<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2006/PDF/FWC_2006_SquadLists.pdf |title=2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players: Iran |publisher=FIFA |page=14 |date=21 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610174527/https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2006/PDF/FWC_2006_SquadLists.pdf |archive-date=10 June 2019}}</ref>
| image = Mehdi Mahdavikia 13920212112521962.jpg
| image_size = 
| caption = Mahdavikia in 2013
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1977|7|24|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Ray, Iran|Ray]], [[Imperial State of Iran|Iran]]
| height = 1.72 m<ref name="wf"/>
| currentclub = 
| position = [[Winger (association football)|Right winger]], [[right back]]
| youthyears1 = 1991–1995
| youthclubs1 = [[Bank Melli F.C.|Bank Melli]]
| years1 = 1995–1999
| years2 = 1998–1999
| years3 = 1999–2007
| years4 = 2002
| years5 = 2007–2010
| years6 = 2010–2011
| years7 = 2011–2012
| years8 = 2012–2013
| clubs1 = [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]]
| clubs2 = → [[VfL Bochum]] (loan)
| clubs3 = [[Hamburger SV]]
| clubs4 = → [[Hamburger SV II|Hamburger SV Amateure]] (loan)
| clubs5 = [[Eintracht Frankfurt]]
| clubs6 = [[Steel Azin F.C.|Steel Azin]]
| clubs7 = [[Damash Gilan F.C.|Damash Gilan]]
| clubs8 = [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]]
| caps1 = 54
| caps2 = 12
| caps3 = 211
| caps4 = 2
| caps5 = 32
| caps6 = 34
| caps7 = 14
| caps8 = 27
| goals1 = 18
| goals2 = 3
| goals3 = 26
| goals4 = 0
| goals5 = 0
| goals6 = 4
| goals7 = 0
| goals8 = 3
| totalcaps = 386
| totalgoals = 54
| nationalyears1 = 1994
| nationalteam1 = [[Iran national under-20 football team|Iran U20]]
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 1994–1999
| nationalteam2 = [[Iran national under-23 football team|Iran U23]]
| nationalcaps2 = 12
| nationalgoals2 = 2
| nationalyears3 = 1997
| nationalteam3 = [[World Military Cup|Iran CISM]]
| nationalcaps3 = 3
| nationalgoals3 = 1
| nationalyears4 = 1996–2009
| nationalteam4 = [[Iran national football team|Iran]]
| nationalcaps4 = 110
| nationalgoals4 = 13
| manageryears1 = 2013
| managerclubs1 = [[Iran national under-17 football team|Iran U17]] (technical manager)<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.fifa.com/u17worldcup/videos/y%3D2014/m%3D3/video%3Diranian-legend-inspires-side-2292788.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501220643/http://www.fifa.com/u17worldcup/videos/y=2014/m=3/video=iranian-legend-inspires-side-2292788.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=1 May 2017|title=Iranian legend inspires U-17 side|date=4 March 2014|access-date=10 June 2018|publisher=[[FIFA]]}}</ref>
| manageryears2 = 2013–2015
| managerclubs2 = [[Iran national under-20 football team|Iran U19]] (technical manager)<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.svenskafans.com/varlden/iransk-u-19-talang-jag-vill-spela-i-os-2016-524218.aspx|title=Iransk U-19-talang: "Jag vill spela i OS 2016"|author=Pezhman Pars|date=20 January 2015|access-date=10 June 2018|publisher=SvenskaFans.com|language=sv}}</ref>
| manageryears4 = 2015–2018
| managerclubs4 = [[Hamburger SV|Hamburger SV Academy]] (offensive coach)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sport.de/news/ne2044184/mahdavikia-will-als-trainer-hoch-hinaus/|title=Mahdavikia will als Trainer hoch hinaus|author=Marc-Oliver Robbers|date=20 January 2016|access-date=10 June 2018|publisher=Sportnachrichten|language=de}}</ref>
| manageryears5 = 2018
| managerclubs5 = [[Hamburger SV|Hamburger SV U16]] (assistant)<ref>{{cite web| url=https://blog.comunio.de/irans-legende-mehdi-mahdavikia-im-interview-wir-haben-bayern-geschlagen/|title=Irans Legende Mehdi Mahdavikia im Interview: "Wir haben Bayern geschlagen"|author=Marc-Oliver Robbers|date=1 June 2018|access-date=10 June 2018|publisher=Comunio|language=de}}</ref>
| manageryears6 = 2018–2019
| managerclubs6 = [[Hamburger SV II]] (assistant)<ref>{{cite web| url=https://financialtribune.com/articles/sports/90195/mahdavikia-joins-hamburger-u21-team-as-assistant-coach|title=Mahdavikia Joins Hamburger U21 Team as Assistant Coach|date=22 July 2018|access-date=22 July 2018|publisher=Financial Tribune}}</ref>
| manageryears7 = 2021–2022
| managerclubs7 = [[Iran national under-23 football team|Iran U23]]
| manageryears8 = 2024–
| managerclubs8 = [[Al Jazeera Al Hamra F.C.]]
}}
'''Mehdi Mahdavikia''' ({{langx|fa|{{Audio|Mahdavikia.ogg|مهدی مهدوی‌کیا}}}}; born 24 July 1977) is an Iranian professional [[association football|football]] coach and former player usually played as a [[winger (association football)|right winger]] or [[right back]].

He was at [[Hamburger SV]] as a youth coach,<ref name="A-Lizenz"/> and also managed his own youth academy, [[KIA Football Academy|FC KIA]]. He is currently head coach of  Al Jazeera Al Hamra F.C. in UAE League 2.

Mahdavikia currently represents [[Asian Football Confederation]] (AFC) in the Football Advisory Panel of [[International Football Association Board]] (IFAB), joining the body in 2019.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://en.irna.ir/news/83522358/IFAB-hails-Iran-s-Mahdavikia-joining-AFC-advisory-Panel|id= 83522358| title =IFAB hails Iran's Mahdavikia joining AFC advisory Panel| date = 18 October 2003 | access-date = 18 October 2019| publisher =IRNA}}</ref> On 15 May 2013, Mahdavikia was appointed as AFC Grassroots Ambassador.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-afc.com/en/2012-11-05-08-47-44/technical-division/grassroots/25958-mehdi-mahdavikia,-bai-liling-proud-to-play-ambassador-roles.html |title=Mahdavikia, Lili proud to play ambassador roles |publisher=the-afc.com |date=15 May 2013 |access-date=16 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622022635/http://www.the-afc.com/en/2012-11-05-08-47-44/technical-division/grassroots/25958-mehdi-mahdavikia%2C-bai-liling-proud-to-play-ambassador-roles.html |archive-date=22 June 2013 }}</ref>

During his playing career, Mahdavikia internationally represented [[Iran national football team|Iranian national team]], which he captained from 2006 to 2009, and currently is the fourth most capped player of all-time. He played for Iranian clubs [[Bank Melli F.C.|Bank Melli]], [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]], [[Steel Azin F.C.|Steel Azin]] and [[Damash Gilan F.C.|Damash Gilan]], as well as German clubs [[VfL Bochum]], [[Hamburger SV]] and [[Eintracht Frankfurt]], spending 12 consecutive seasons in [[Bundesliga]].

He won the [[Asian Young Footballer of the Year]] award in 1997 as well as the [[Asian Footballer of the Year]] award in 2003.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=90145.html| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20120928061911/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=90145.html| url-status =dead| archive-date =28 September 2012| title =Mahdavikia scoops Asian best player award| date = 11 December 2003 | access-date = 5 January 2013 | publisher =[[FIFA]]}}</ref> He was known for his crossing, speed and dribbling.

==Club career==

===Early career===
Mahdavikia first played for [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] in his native Iran before moving to [[VfL Bochum]] in Germany. After Bochum's relegation, he signed for Bundesliga side [[Hamburger SV|Hamburg]] where he stayed for the next eight seasons.

===Hamburger SV===
''[[Hamburger Morgenpost]]'' estimated market value of Mahdavikia in 1999 as [[Deutsche Mark|DM]]6.5 million.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.mopo.de/weil-das-team-so-stark-spielt--steigt-der-marktwert-von-pagels-profis-ganz-enorm---lange-vertragszeiten-zahlen-sich-nun-aus-100-millionen--so-wertvoll-ist-der-hsv-18900836 | title = Weil das Team so stark spielt, steigt der Marktwert von Pagels Profis ganz enorm / Lange Vertragszeiten zahlen sich nun aus 100 Millionen: So wertvoll ist der HSV  | website = Hamburger Morgenpost | language = de | date = 7 September 1999 | access-date = 20 April 2020 | first = Kai | last = Zimmermann}}</ref>

His initial position for HSV was right fullback, from which he was known for his attacking runs, as he has previous experience as a right winger and at times has played as a [[Striker (association football)|striker]]. He also played some matches for [[PAS Tehran F.C.|Pas]] in Asian games as help for the club. Under coach [[Frank Pagelsdorf]] Mahdavikia used to play wide striker. For the 2006–07 Bundesliga season he moved back to his natural position of right wing, in support of Central Midfielder [[Rafael van der Vaart]]. He was awarded Hamburg Player of the Year in 2003 and 2004 by the fans, and also attained the title of the top assister of goals in the [[Bundesliga]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}

In 2003, ''[[Die Welt]]'' wrote that Mahdavikia is worth €8–10 million.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.welt.de/print-welt/article237185/Mahdavikia-pokert-mit-dem-HSV-um-Millionen.html | title = Mahdavikia pokert mit dem HSV um Millionen | website = Die Welt | language = de | date = 27 May 2003 | access-date = 20 April 2020 | first = Matthias | last = Linnenbrügger }}</ref>

However, compared to his previous season, he had a poor season in 2004–05 and was benched. In the 2005–06 season he gained his old form back and was able to regain his spot as a starter, being influential in many of Hamburg's victories, such as scoring the winning goal against then Bundesliga heavyweights [[FC Schalke 04|Schalke]].

Mahdavikia's strongest points were his vision, passing skills, fast-paced runs (his nickname in Iran is "The Rocket"), and set-pieces such as corners, spotkicks and [[Direct free kick|free kicks]]. He usually was the right-footed alternative to Van der Vaart's well known left foot. Apart from being a total professional on the pitch, he is also known as a perfect gentleman off the pitch, always finding the time for fans and reporters to answer questions or sign autographs.

His nickname in Hamburg is ''The Carpet'' (der Teppich) for his ability to "magically glide past" his opponents like the [[magic carpet|enchanted carpet]].

===Eintracht Frankfurt===
On 8 June 2007, Mahdavikia signed a three-year contract with [[Eintracht Frankfurt]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://kicker.de/fussball/bundesliga/startseite/artikel/366658/ | title = Eintracht denkt an Mahdavikia |trans-title=Eintracht thinks about Mahdavikia | access-date = 9 December 2007 | date = 8 June 2007 | language = de | work = kicker.de}}</ref>

In his first season, he had two bad injuries that forced him to miss many matches. In the second season he was mostly benched and not used in many matches which showed that the club did not want him anymore. After 255 Games (26 goals, 55 assists) in the Bundesliga for HSV, Bochum and Eintracht Frankfurt, left Germany to sign for [[Steel Azin F.C.|Steel Azin]] in January 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eintracht.de/aktuell/29590/ |title=Mehdi Mahdavikia verlässt Eintracht Frankfurt |trans-title=Mehdi Mahdavikia leaves Eintracht Frankfurt |access-date=26 January 2010 |publisher=eintracht.de |language=de |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929013555/http://www.eintracht.de/aktuell/29590/ |archive-date=29 September 2011 }}</ref>

===Return to Iran===

On 4 July 2011, Mahdavikia signed a contract with [[Amir Abedini]], President of the [[Damash Gilan F.C.|Damash Gilan]] to join to the club for one year but he was joined to his beloved club, [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] in mid-season to play for club in his last year of playing football.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.varzesh3.com/news.do?itemid=47837&title=مهدوي‌كيا_قراردادش_را_با_داماش_امضا_كرد | script-title=fa:مهدوي‌كيا قراردادش را با داماش امضا كرد |trans-title=Mahdavikia signs contract with Damash | language = fa | date = 4 July 2011 | access-date = 26 May 2012}}</ref> He extended his contract with [[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]] for another season on 19 June 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fc-perspolis.com/1391/%D8%AE%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF/30/%D9%85%D9%87%D8%AF%D9%88%DB%8C-%DA%A9%DB%8C%D8%A7-%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B4-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%BE%D9%88%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%B3-%D8%B3%D9%81%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B6%D8%A7%D8%A1-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%AF.aspx?lang=fa |script-title=fa:مهدوی کیا قراردادش را با پرسپولیس سفید امضاء کرد |trans-title=Mahdavikia extended contract with Persepolis |publisher=fc-perspolis.com |access-date=20 June 2012 |language=fa |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622011139/http://fc-perspolis.com/1391/%D8%AE%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF/30/%D9%85%D9%87%D8%AF%D9%88%DB%8C-%DA%A9%DB%8C%D8%A7-%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B4-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%BE%D9%88%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%B3-%D8%B3%D9%81%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B6%D8%A7%D8%A1-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%AF.aspx?lang=fa |archive-date=22 June 2012 }}</ref>

===Retirement===
[[File:Persepolis Sepahan, Hazfi Cup Final - Mehdi Mahdavikia.jpg|thumb|Mahdavikia in his last match for Persepolis]]
On 2 March 2013, Mahdavikia announced that he would retire at the end of the [[2012–13 Iran Pro League|2012–13 season]]. Persepolis also announced that Mahdavikia's farewell match would be in a pre-season friendly match against [[A.C. Milan]] in June 2013, played in the [[Azadi Stadium]],<ref>{{cite web | url = http://dsport.ir/index.php/component/content/article/1-%D9%84%DB%8C%DA%AF-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%B1/3631-%D8%AE%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B8%DB%8C-%DA%A9%DB%8C%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%BE%D9%88%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%B3-%E2%80%93-%D8%A2%D8%AB-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86.html | title = Mahdavikia will be played his last match against A.C. Milan | trans-title = Mahdavikia will be played his last match against A.C. Milan | access-date = 2 March 2013 | publisher = dsport.ir | language = fa | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130305161029/http://www.dsport.ir/index.php/component/content/article/1-%D9%84%DB%8C%DA%AF-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%B1/3631-%D8%AE%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B8%DB%8C-%DA%A9%DB%8C%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%BE%D9%88%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%B3-%E2%80%93-%D8%A2%D8%AB-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86.html | archive-date = 5 March 2013 | url-status = dead}}</ref> but it was later announced that Mahdavikia's last match would be against his former side, [[Hamburger SV]] in June 2013 in the same stadium.

Mahdavikia confirmed on 14 March 2013 that he ended his active football career. He played his last match as a football player in the [[2013 Hazfi Cup Final]], coming on extra time as a substitute. On 28 November 2013, he played a farewell match at [[Azadi Stadium]] between Persepolis XI and [[A.C. Milan]] XI. Participants in the match included former teams' legends like [[Hamid Derakhshan]], [[Mohammad Panjali]], [[Farshad Pious]], [[Karim Bagheri]], [[Hamid Estili]], [[Nasser Mohammadkhani]], [[Pejman Jamshidi]], [[Edmond Bezik]] which played for Persepolis and [[Franco Baresi]], [[Paolo Maldini]], [[Daniele Massaro]], [[Gennaro Gattuso]] and [[Alberigo Evani]] for A.C. Milan. Persepolis were managed by the club's most successful manager [[Ali Parvin]]. When Mahdavikia came on as a substitute in the 32nd minute, Pious gave his shirt to Mahdavikia, in a remarkable replay after seventeen years that Pious did so in Mahdavikia's first match for Persepolis. The match was won by A.C. Milan XI 3–1 with Mahdavikia assisting the only goal.

==International career==
[[File:Mehdi Mahdavikia-1385.jpg|thumb|Mahdavikia in 2006]]
Having been awarded the [[Asian Young Footballer of the Year]] award in 1997, Mahdavikia was considered Iran's best player in the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] and was named in the list from which the team of the tournament was chosen. In 2003, he was awarded [[Asian Player of the Year]] by the [[Asian Football Confederation]]. He was also the top assister in the [[Asian Cup 2004|2004 Asian Cup]], exhibiting stunning form to steer Iran's attack to superb attacking football. He played in four Asian Cups (1996, 2000, 2004, 2007) and two World Cups (1998, 2006).

Mahdavikia was one of the influential players that played in Iran's crucial 1–0 victory over [[Bahrain national football team|Bahrain]] to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup held in Germany. Following the FIFA World Cup in Germany, 2006, Mahdavikia was expected to assume the role of Captain in the Iranian national side, replacing [[Ali Daei]] and [[Yahya Golmohammadi]] who had publicly announced their intention to retire after the tournament. Mahdavikia was given the captain's band on 16 August 2006 in an [[Asian Cup]] [[Asian Cup 2007 (qualification)|qualifier]] versus [[Syria national football team|Syria]].

Mahdavikia has reportedly been forced to "retire" from international football<ref name="protest_ban">{{cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jun/23/iran-football-protest-ban | title = Iran bans election protest footballers | access-date = 24 June 2009 | work =The guardian| date = 23 June 2009 | author = Robert Tait}}</ref> after wearing a green bracelet in the final World Cup 2010 qualification match against the Republic of Korea. The green bracelet was a sign of support for [[2009 Iranian election protests|those protesting the highly contested Iranian presidential election]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.foxnews.com/story/reports-iranian-soccer-stars-forced-to-retire-over-wristband-protest | title = Reports: Iranian Soccer Stars Forced to 'Retire' Over Wristband Protest | publisher = [[Fox News]] | access-date = 26 January 2010 | date = 23 June 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090823094522/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,528629,00.html | archive-date = 23 August 2009 | url-status = live}}</ref>
He was forced to retire from [[Iran national football team|Team Melli]] after 13 years and playing in two World Cups (1998, 2006), four Asian Cups (1996, 2000, 2004, 2007), one Asian Games tournament (1998), four World Cup qualifying campaigns (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010), three Asian Cup qualifying campaigns (2000, 2004, 2007) and one AFC/OFC Cup.

==Managerial career==
Mahdavikia was the manager of the Iranian youth teams.<ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.teammelli.com/2013/11/08/mehdi-mahdavikia-appointed-as-youth-teams-manager/ | title =Mehdi Mahdavikia appointed as Youth teams Manager | date = 8 November 2013 | access-date = 9 December 2015 | publisher = teammelli.com}}</ref> In 2015, he founded the [[KIA Football Academy]] with [[Ali Doustimehr]]. He currently has a role as a youth coach with [[Hamburger SV]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mopo.de/sport/hsv/ex-hsv-iraner-und-die--woelfe--mahdavikia-braucht--nen-nachfolger-26933886 | title = Mahdavikia braucht 'nen Nachfolger | publisher = mopo.de | date = 20 May 2017 | access-date = 22 May 2017}}</ref>

In May 2019, Mahdavikia obtained [[UEFA A Licence]] and plans to enter [[German Football Association|DFB]]'s ''Fußballlehrer'' course.<ref name="A-Lizenz">{{citation|url=https://www.abendblatt.de/sport/fussball/hsv/article222501535/HSV-Torwart-Pollersbeck-wechselt-seinen-Berater.html|title=Kultprofi Mahdavikia besteht A-Lizenz-Prüfung| website = Hamburger Abendblatt|date=24 May 2019|access-date=2 December 2019}}</ref>

==Famous matches==
Mahdavikia's most prolific club match was [[Hamburger SV]]'s match against [[Juventus FC|Juventus]] in the [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]]. He was the impetus that rallied Hamburg back after being down 3–1 by scoring once, assisting one and winning a penalty for Hamburg that saw Hamburg take a 4–3 lead; Juve managed to equalise with an Inzaghi penalty.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}

Another famous game in the HSV shirt came in week 30 of the 2002–03 season. Mahdavikia scored one and assisted another two goals in Hamburg's 4–0 win over 1. FC Nuremberg. Kicker gave him a much rare perfect note of 1.0.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}

Mehdi's greatest national team match, arguably, was against South Korea in the 2004 Asia Cup where he assisted three goals in Iran's 4–3 win. Many also point to his dynamic game against the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]] in [[1998 FIFA World Cup|World Cup 1998]] that saw him score Iran's second and winning goal, as his best ever. Another excellent match where he scored two great goals was against China in the qualification round for the 1998 World Cup when he was just 20 years old.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}

==Personal life==
[[File:Mehdi Mahdavikia 1.jpg|200px|thumbnail|right|Mahdavikia in 2012]]
Mahdavikia played several sports as a youngster and was exceptionally talented at [[handball]], even being named captain of Iran's under 14 team.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.dfb.de/news/detail/mahdavikia-ich-waere-gerne-bundesligatrainer-138028/p/2/ | title = Mahdavikia: "Ich wäre gerne Bundesligatrainer" | language = de | website = DFB | date =18 January 2015  | access-date = 18 January 2016}}</ref>

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

In April 2006, Mahdavikia caused a stir when it came out he married a second wife named, [[Samira Samii]], while being in his native Iran in December 2005, thus practising [[bigamy]]. He himself stated that he made a "big mistake", and they divorced after a short while.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.n-tv.de/656757.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090117025014/http://www.n-tv.de/656757.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 January 2009 |title=Bigamie in Bundesliga? |publisher=n-tv.de|access-date=22 February 2007 |date=12 April 2006 | language = de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.focus.de/sport/fussball/bundesliga1/bigamie_aid_107675.html |title=Bigamie: Zweitfrau verklagt HSV-Spieler |date=15 April 2006 |work=FOCUS Online |access-date=12 January 2015 |language=de }}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.focus.de/sport/fussball/doppel-ehe_aid_107543.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150117151301/http://www.focus.de/sport/fussball/doppel-ehe_aid_107543.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 January 2015 |title=Doppel-Ehe: Mahdavikia gesteht "großen Fehler" ein |author=FOCUS Online |date=12 April 2006 |work=FOCUS Online |access-date=12 January 2015 |language=de }}</ref><ref name=welche>{{cite web|url=http://www.tz.de/sport/1860-muenchen/samira-samiee-samii-samee-tsv-1860-muenchen-gespraechen-welche-rolle-spielt-managerin-meta-2747641.html|title=Samira Samii (Samiee) beim TSV 1860 München zu Gesprächen|work=TZ |last=Linder |first=Armin |date=12 February 2013 |access-date=12 January 2015 |language=de}}</ref>

Mahdavikia's younger brother, [[Hadi Mahdavikia|Hadi]] played for [[Homa F.C.]] and [[Persepolis F.C.]], and now is the head coach of [[KIA Football Academy]]. Mahdavikia's nephew [[Mostafa Mahdavikia|Mostafa]] is also a football player in Iran.

==Career statistics==

===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref>{{citation|title=نگاهی به 21 سال فوتبال پر افتخار کاپیتان کیا / دوست داشتنی ترین موشک دنیا|url=https://www.khabaronline.ir/news/282358/%D9%86%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87-21-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%81%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%BE%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D9%BE%DB%8C%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%DA%A9%DB%8C%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%AA-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86|language=fa|last=Zarei|first=Ehsan|date=10 March 2013|access-date=10 March 2013|publisher=KhabarOnline}}</ref><ref>{{citation|title=Mehdi Mahdavikia|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/d048b174/Mehdi-Mahdavikia|access-date=10 October 2019|publisher=FBref}}</ref><ref name="wf">{{citation|title=Mehdi Mahdavikia Club matches|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/mehdi-mahdavikia/2/|access-date=10 October 2019|publisher=worldfootball.net}}</ref>
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National Cup
!colspan="2"|League Cup
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|[[Bank Melli F.C.|Bank Melli]]
|[[1994–95 Iran 2nd Division|1994–95]]
|[[League 2 (Iran)|Division 2]]
|||||||||||||||||18||10
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]]
|[[1995–96 Azadegan League|1995–96]]
|rowspan="4"|[[Azadegan League]]
|11||1||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||11||1
|-
|[[1996–97 Azadegan League|1996–97]]
|28||9||2||2||colspan="2"|–||7||1||37||12
|-
|[[1997–98 Azadegan League|1997–98]]
|6||6||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||4||3||10||9
|-
|[[1998–99 Azadegan League|1998–99]]
|9||2||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||9||2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!54!!18!!2!!2!!colspan="2"|–!!11!!4!!67!!24
|-
|[[Pas Tehran F.C.|Pas]] (loan)
|[[1998–99 Asian Cup Winners' Cup|1998–99]]
|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||2||0||2||0
|-
|[[VfL Bochum 1848|Bochum]] (loan)
|[[1998–99 Bundesliga|1998–99]]
|[[Bundesliga]]
|12||3||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||12||3
|-
|rowspan="9"|[[Hamburger SV]]
|[[1999–2000 Bundesliga|1999–00]]
|rowspan="8"|Bundesliga
|29||4||1||0||colspan="2"|–||6||2||36||6
|-
|[[2000–01 Bundesliga|2000–01]]
|29||5||1||1||1||0||9||3||40||9
|-
|[[2001–02 Bundesliga|2001–02]]
|11||1||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||11||1
|-
|[[2002–03 Bundesliga|2002–03]]
|26||2||2||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||28||2
|-
|[[2003–04 Bundesliga|2003–04]]
|32||5||2||1||3||0||2||0||39||6
|-
|[[2004–05 Bundesliga|2004–05]]
|26||2||1||0||rowspan="2" colspan="2"|–||0||0||27||2
|-
|[[2005–06 Bundesliga|2005–06]]
|31||5||3||1||10||0||44||6
|-
|[[2006–07 Bundesliga|2006–07]]
|27||2||1||0||2||0||8||0||38||2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!211!!26!!11!!3!!6!!0!!35!!5!!263!!34
|-
|[[Hamburger SV II|Hamburger SV Amateure]]
|[[2002–03 Regionalliga|2002–03]]
|[[Regionalliga Nord]]
|2||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||2||0
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Eintracht Frankfurt]]
|[[2007–08 Bundesliga|2007–08]]
|rowspan="3"|Bundesliga
|20||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||21||0
|-
|[[2008–09 Bundesliga|2008–09]]
|12||0||2||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||14||0
|-
|[[2009–10 Bundesliga|2009–10]]
|0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||0||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!32!!0!!3!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!35!!0
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Steel Azin FC|Steel Azin]]
|[[2009–10 Persian Gulf Cup|2009–10]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Iran Pro League]]
|8||2||3||2||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||11||4
|-
|[[2010–11 Persian Gulf Cup|2010–11]]
|26||2||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||26||2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!34!!4!!3!!2!!colspan="2"|–!!0!!0!!37!!6
|-
|[[Damash Gilan F.C.|Damash]]
|[[2011–12 Persian Gulf Cup|2011–12]]
|Iran Pro League
|14||0||2||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||16||0
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Persepolis F.C.|Persepolis]]
|[[2011–12 Persian Gulf Cup|2011–12]]
|rowspan="2"|Iran Pro League
|11||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||3||0||14||0
|-
|[[2012–13 Iran Pro League|2012–13]]
|16||3||2||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||18||3
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!27!!3!!2!!0!!colspan="2"|–!!3!!0!!32!!3
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!386!!54!!23!!7!!6!!0!!51!!9!!484!!80
|}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="13"|[[Iran national football team|Iran]]<ref name="rsssf">{{cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/mahdavikia-intl.html | title = Mehdi Mahdavikia – Century of International Appearances | date = 28 August 2009 | access-date = 26 May 2012 | first = Roberto | website = [[RSSSF]] | last = Mamrud}}</ref>
|1996||3||0
|-
|1997||21||5
|-
|1998||17||2
|-
|1999||2||0
|-
|2000||14||2
|-
|2001||11||1
|-
|2003||3||0
|-
|2004||10||1
|-
|2005||7||1
|-
|2006||7||0
|-
|2007||6{{ref|a|1}}||0
|-
|2008||3||1
|-
|2009||6||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!110!!13
|}
*1.{{note|a}}Excluding a friendly match against [[Ghana national under-23 football team|Ghana U-23]] that is not considered a full international.<ref name="rsssf"/>

:''Scores and results list Iran's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Mahdavikia goal.''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Mehdi Mahdavikia
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
| align="center"|1 || 21 April 1997 || Tabriz, Iran || {{fb|Kenya}} || || align="center"|3–0 || [[Friendly match|Friendly]]
|-
| align="center"|2 || 2 June 1997 || Damascus, Syria || {{fb|Maldives}} || || align="center"|17–0 || [[1998 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| align="center"|3 || 11 June 1997 || Tehran, Iran || {{fb|Maldives}} || || align="center"|9–0 || 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| align="center"|4 || rowspan="2"|13 September 1997 || rowspan="2"|Dalian, China || rowspan="2"|{{fb|China}} || || rowspan="2" align="center"|4–2 || rowspan="2"|1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| align="center"|5 ||
|-
| align="center"|6 || 31 January 1998 ||Hong Kong, Hong Kong || {{fb|Chile}} || || align="center"|1–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|7 || 21 June 1998 || Lyon, France || {{fb|USA}} || || align="center"|2–1 || [[1998 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|8 || 16 January 2000 || Pasadena, USA || {{fb|USA}} || || align="center"|1–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|9 || 31 March 2000 || Aleppo, Syria || {{fb|Maldives}} || || align="center"|8–0 || [[2000 AFC Asian Cup qualification]]
|-
| align="center"|10 || 12 October 2001 || Tehran, Iran || {{fb|Iraq|1991}} || || align="center"|2–1 || [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| align="center"|11 || 18 February 2004 || Tehran, Iran || {{fb|Qatar}} || || align="center"|3–1 || [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| align="center"|12 || 30 March 2005 || Pyongyang, North Korea || {{fb|North Korea}} || || align="center"|2–0 || 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| align="center"|13 || 15 October 2008 || Tehran, Iran || {{fb|North Korea}} || || align="center"|2–1 || [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|}

==Honours==
'''Persepolis'''
*[[Azadegan League]]: [[1995–96 Azadegan League|1995–96]], [[1996–97 Azadegan League|1996–97]], [[1998–99 Azadegan League|1998–99]]

'''Hamburger SV'''
* [[DFB-Ligapokal]]: [[2003 DFB-Ligapokal|2003]]
* [[UEFA Intertoto Cup]]: [[2005 UEFA Intertoto Cup|2005]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/competitions/IntertotoCup/FixturesResults/Round=2188/Match=81577/Report=LU.html |title=Valencia 0-0 Hamburg (Aggregate: 0 - 1)|publisher=uefa.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060912111800/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/IntertotoCup/FixturesResults/Round=2188/Match=81577/Report=LU.html|access-date=14 June 2020|archive-date=12 September 2006}}</ref>

'''Iran'''
*[[Football at the Asian Games|Asian Games]]: [[Football at the 1998 Asian Games|1998]]
*[[AFC Asian Cup]] third place: [[1996 AFC Asian Cup|1996]], [[2004 AFC Asian Cup|2004]]
*[[AFC–OFC Challenge Cup]]: 2003

'''Individual'''
*AFC Goal of the Month: September 1997<ref>{{cite web |title=Mother of all goals |url=http://www.asian-football.com/afc/pub/Nov97/frame.r4.html |website=[[Asian Football Confederation]] |date=14 May 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980514222807/http://www.asian-football.com/afc/pub/Nov97/frame.r4.html |archive-date=14 May 1998 }}</ref>
*[[Asian Young Footballer of the Year|AFC Youth Player of the Year]]: 1997<ref name="Asian">{{cite web |title=Asian Player of the Year |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/as-poy.html |access-date=21 October 2013 |first1=José |last1=Pierrend |first2=Erik |website=[[RSSSF]] |last2=Garin}}</ref>
*[[Bundesliga]] top assist provider: [[2002–03 Bundesliga|2002–03]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kicker.de/1-bundesliga/scorer/2002-03 |title=Bundesliga - Scorer - 2002/03  |publisher=kicker |language=de |access-date=14 June 2020}}</ref>
*[[Asian Footballer of the Year|AFC Player of the Year]]: 2003<ref name="Asian"/>
* [[Asian Cup]] All-Star Team: [[2004 AFC Asian Cup|2004]]
*[[Hamburger SV]] All-time Team: 2012<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.presseportal.de/pm/16439/2334870 |title=HSV-Presseservice: 125 Jahre HSV - Die große Gala |publisher=Presseportal |language=de |date=29 June 2012 |access-date=14 June 2020}}</ref>
*[[AFC Asian Cup records and statistics#Fans' All-time Best XI|AFC Asian Cup Fans' All-time Best XI]]: 2018<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.the-afc.com/features/the-fans-afc-asian-cup-xi-announced |title=Fans' Best XI Announced! |publisher=AFC |date=16 November 2018 |access-date=10 December 2019}}</ref>
*[[International Federation of Football History & Statistics|IFFHS]] Asian Men's Team of All Time: 2021<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.iffhs.com/posts/1144 |title=IFFHS ALL TIME ASIA MEN'S DREAM TEAM |publisher=IFFHS |date=2021-06-11 |access-date=2021-09-08}}</ref>
*[[AFC Asian Cup awards#All-time XI|AFC Asian Cup All-time XI]]: 2023<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/news/asiancup2023_five-month_countdown_fan-voted_all-time_afc_asian_cup%E2%84%A2_dream_xi_revealed_.html |title=#AsianCup2023 five-month countdown: Fan-voted all-time AFC Asian Cup Dream XI revealed |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |date=2023-08-12 |access-date=2023-08-13}}</ref>

== See also ==
*[[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons}}
* {{Official website |http://www.mahdavikia.de/}}
* [https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/mahdavikia-intl.html RSSSF archive of Mehdi Mahdavikia's international appearances]
* [https://www.teammelli.com/matchdata/details/player.php?id=33 Profile] at TeamMelli.com

{{S-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{succession box|title=[[Iran national football team|Iran national football team captain]] | before=[[Ali Daei]] |after=[[Javad Nekounam]] |years=2006–2009}}
{{S-end}}
{{Navboxes colour
|bg=gold
|fg=navy
|title= Awards
|list1=
{{2004 AFC Asian Cup Team of the Tournament}}
{{Asian Footballer of the Year}}
{{Asian Young Footballer of the Year}}
}}
{{Navboxes colour
|title= Iran squads
|bg= #FFFFFF
|fg= #FF0000
|list1=
{{Iran squad 1996 AFC Asian Cup}}
{{Iran squad 1998 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Iran squad 2000 AFC Asian Cup}}
{{Iran squad 2004 AFC Asian Cup}}
{{Iran squad 2006 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Iran squad 2007 AFC Asian Cup}}
}}
{{Iran national under-23 football team managers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mahdavikia, Mehdi}}
[[Category:Iranian men's footballers]]
[[Category:Iran men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Persepolis F.C. players]]
[[Category:Men's association football wingers]]
[[Category:VfL Bochum players]]
[[Category:Hamburger SV players]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany]]
[[Category:Bundesliga players]]
[[Category:Regionalliga players]]
[[Category:Persian Gulf Pro League players]]
[[Category:Iranian expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Iranian expatriate sportspeople in Germany]]
[[Category:FIFA Men's Century Club]]
[[Category:Eintracht Frankfurt players]]
[[Category:Steel Azin F.C. players]]
[[Category:S.C. Damash Gilan players]]
[[Category:1996 AFC Asian Cup players]]
[[Category:1998 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:2000 AFC Asian Cup players]]
[[Category:2004 AFC Asian Cup players]]
[[Category:2006 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:2007 AFC Asian Cup players]]
[[Category:Footballers from Tehran]]
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Asian Games gold medalists for Iran]]
[[Category:Asian Footballer of the Year winners]]
[[Category:Asian Young Footballer of the Year winners]]
[[Category:Asian Games medalists in football]]
[[Category:Footballers at the 1998 Asian Games]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1998 Asian Games]]
[[Category:Hamburger SV II players]]
[[Category:Hamburger SV non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Iranian football managers]]