AFC - MEHDI Mahdavikia, provider of the most number of assists during the 2002/2003 Bundesliga season, has been voted the 16th top player of the league by German magazine Kicker. The Iranian international midfielder has come a long way since making his debut appearance for Bochum almost five seasons ago, explaining that it was never a smooth ride as life at Pirouzi, his former club in Tehran, was a vastly different place. "When I came to Bochum in 1998, I felt alone in the beginning and had many problems adapting to a different culture as it was my first time abroad," said Mahdavikia. "We were involved in a relegation battle right from the start, but unfortunately for me I played almost all the games and I learned a lot during those times. "German football is much more physical than the style we prefer in Iran and Germans play a lot of attention to discipline." Mahdavikia's international compatriot Ali Karimi, currently plying his trade at United Arab Emirates club Al Ahly, is a prime example of how talented players are taken off the streets and onto the international pitch. Mahdavikia said aspiring footballers in Iran are not given a fair crack of the whip given the less than enviable conditions as compared to those in Germany, adding that he, like Karimi, have been fortunate to be able to make full use of their given opportunities. "Conditions back home (in Iran) are much different from what German people are used to. Unlike in Germany, the kids don't usually have the opportunity to join clubs at a very young age. They don't play on proper grass pitches, and instead are used to playing on the streets. "Just as I did when I was younger, the kids spend hours and hours out there on the streets and forget about everything else when they play football." |
Mahdavikia lauds German experience
- Persianleague
- - Aug 01, 2003
Latest News
- 10-man Iran runners-up at 2025 CAFA Nations Cup [VIDEO]
- Munir El Haddadi Joins Esteghlal
- Iran held by Tajikistan at 2025 CAFA Nations Cup [VIDEO]
- Iran defeat India in 2025 CAFA Nations Cup [VIDEO]
- Inter Milan & Iran Star Agrees Two-Year Contract With Olympiacos
- Iran defeat Afghanistan in 2025 CAFA Nations Cup [VIDEO]
- Iran Coach Ghalenoei Names 27-Man Team for 2025 CAFA Nations Cup
- Ex-Iran Captain Dejagah Named Lusail Assistant Coach
- Sepahan lose to Al Duhail in 2025/26 ACL Elite preliminary stage [VIDEO]
- Tractor win 2025 Iran’s Super Cup [VIDEO]