Gholamreza Rezaei (Persian: غلامرضا رضایی; born 6 August 1984 in Shiraz, Iran) is a retired Iranian professional footballer who played primarily as a winger or forward. He is noted for his contributions to several clubs in the Iran Pro League and for representing the Iran national team.
Early life and youth career
Rezaei began his football development with the Vali Asr Shiraz Academy (1998–2000) before joining the youth ranks of Bargh Shiraz (2000–2004). His performances at youth level led to his promotion to senior football.
Club career
| Years | Club | Appearances (Goals) |
|---|---|---|
| 2004–2007 | Fajr Sepasi | 75 (11) |
| 2007–2009 | Saba Battery | 59 (12) |
| 2009–2010 | Foolad | 17 (7) |
| 2010–2013 | Persepolis | 54 (10) |
| 2013–2014 | Foolad | 14 (0) |
| 2014–2015 | Naft Tehran | 25 (5) |
| 2015–2017 | Saipa | 54 (8) |
| 2017–2018 | Sepidrood | 4 (0) |
Rezaei’s professional debut came with Fajr Sepasi, where he quickly established himself as a versatile attacker. A move to Saba Battery in 2007 saw him increase his goal output, leading to a brief stint abroad with Emirates Club in the United Arab Emirates in 2009. He returned to Iran, joining Foolad and later Persepolis, one of the country’s most prominent clubs. While at Persepolis, Rezaei scored the fastest goal in Iran Pro League history at the time (30 seconds into a match on 30 December 2012). Subsequent spells with Naft Tehran, Saipa, and Sepidrood concluded his club career, after which he retired from professional football.
International career
- Iran senior team (2008–2013): 50 caps, 11 goals
- Iran Olympic (U‑23) team (2010 Asian Games): 7 caps, 1 goal
Rezaei made his senior international debut in May 2008 and participated in multiple qualification campaigns and regional tournaments. He also represented Iran at the 2010 Asian Games, contributing to the squad’s performance.
Style of play
Rezaei was recognized for his pace, dribbling ability, and capacity to operate on both wings as well as in central attacking positions. His versatility allowed coaches to deploy him as a winger, second striker, or outright forward, depending on tactical needs.
Records and achievements
- Fastest goal in Iran Pro League (30 seconds, 30 December 2012) – record later surpassed in 2014.
- Domestic titles: While specific championship trophies are not listed in available sources, Rezaei contributed to club successes during his tenure, notably with Persepolis and Foolad.
Post‑retirement
Following his retirement, Rezaei has remained a public figure within Iranian football circles, occasionally appearing in media and fan events. No further professional engagements in coaching or administration have been documented in publicly available sources.
References
- Wikipedia contributors. “Gholamreza Rezaei.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from the archived page via r.jina.ai.
- Transfermarkt profile for Gholamreza Rezaei.
- Official match reports and league records from the Iran Pro League archives.