Javad Nekounam vs Mehdi Taremi
Iran against Iran. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Javad Nekounam
Iran · 2002–14 · CDM
- Almanac rating
- 86
- Rank in Iran
- #6 of 33
- Caps
- 151 · 39 goals
- Clubs
- Pas Tehran, Club Atlético Osasuna, Esteghlal
Iran held Argentina goalless in Belo Horizonte on 21 June 2014 until Lionel Messi curled one in at the death, and the man wearing the armband through all 91 minutes was Nekounam. His 149 caps and 38 goals for Iran came alongside Asian Games gold in 2002 and the 2004 West Asian championship, a league title with Esteghlal in 2012-13, and 173 La Liga appearances across two spells at Osasuna. Career record: 151 caps and 39 goals for Iran; club career at Pas Tehran, Club Atlético Osasuna, Esteghlal.
Mehdi Taremi
Iran · 2021–22 · ST
- Almanac rating
- 86
- Rank in Iran
- #9 of 33
- Caps
- 103 · 56 goals
- Clubs
- Persepolis, Al-Gharafa SC, FC Porto
April 2021, deep into stoppage time against Chelsea, he scored the overhead kick that UEFA later voted the Champions League goal of the season. Porto brought him a Primeira Liga title, two Portuguese cups and the 2022-23 Bola de Prata for 22 league goals; before that came Persepolis league titles and back-to-back Iranian golden boots, and after it Inter Milan and 60 goals for Iran. Career record: 103 caps and 56 goals for Iran; club career at Persepolis, Al-Gharafa SC, FC Porto.
The verdict
The almanac cannot separate them: both are rated 86.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.