Mahdi Torabi

Mahdi Torabi (born 10 September 1994) is an Iranian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Persian Gulf Pro League club Tractor and the Iran national team.

He began his career at Saipa, and then played for Persepolis between 2019 and 2020. He played for Qatari side Al-Arabi between 2020 and 2021, later rejoining Persepolis. He joined Tractor in 2024 and has been regarded as the club's fan favorite.

Torabi made his first senior appearance in 2015, and represented Iran at the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup in 2019 and 2023.

Early life and family Mahdi Torabi was born on 10 September 1994 in Karaj, Alborz province, Iran into a religious Shia Muslim family. His father reportedly served as the commander of the Imam Sajjad base of the Basij in Alborz province.

Torabi scored his first goal for Persepolis in a 3–2 victory over Saipa on 13 April 2019.

Al-Arabi In October 2020, Torabi joined Al-Arabi and played in the Qatar Stars League.

Return to Persepolis In February 2021, he rejoined Persepolis to play in the Persian Gulf Pro League.

Tractor In the summer of 2024, it was announced that he wanted to transfer to another team for more income but he himself said that he changed his team to improve his mental condition, not to earn money.

On 10 July 2024, Torabi joined Persian Gulf Pro League side Tractor.

International career Youth level Torabi in the match between Vietnam and Iran at the 2019 AFC Asian CupHe was invited to Iran U23 preliminary camp by Nelo Vingada. Torabi was included in the squad for the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship by coach Mohammad Khakpour and he scored his first goal of the tournament in the last group match against China from a 30-yard free kick.

Senior level He made his debut against Uzbekistan in a friendly on 11 June 2015 where he scored the lone goal of the match. On 3 September 2015, Torabi came off the bench to score in a 6–0 victory against Guam. In May 2018 he was named in Iran's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. In November 2022, Torabi was listed in Iran's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In May 2026, he was listed in Iran's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Following Iran's first match against New Zealand, Torabi's single-entry visa expired and generated considerable controversy. FFIRI subsequently negotiated with FIFA and a multi-entry visa was issued for Torabi.

Personal life Political views

Torabi is an ardent supporter of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and is known to have links with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). In 2019, Torabi lifted his shirt up with a message of support to the government during the 2019–2020 Iranian protests as well. The literal translation of his message was "The only path to salvation of country is to follow orders of the leader". In 2022, Torabi wore a shirt in support of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and desired to offer him a football as a gift in the course of the Mahsa Amini protests.

During the 2026 Iran war, Torabi consistently made appearances on pro-government rallies in Tehran's Valiasr Square and described the assassinated Ali Khamenei as "love" and "martyred guide". He also stated that he would stand behind the leadership of Mojtaba Khamenei.

International goals As of match played 30 May 2026. Iran score listed first, score column indicates score after each Torabi goal.

Honours Club Persepolis Persian Gulf Pro League (5): 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2022–23, 2023–24 Hazfi Cup (2): 2018–19, 2022–23 Iranian Super Cup (2): 2019, 2020 Tractor Persian Gulf Pro League: 2024–25 Iranian Super Cup: 2025

Individual

Iranian Young Player of the Year: 2016 Persian Gulf Pro League Team of the Year: 2015–16 Navad Player of the Month: April 2018, May 2018