PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Milad Mohammadi Keshmarzi |
| Date of Birth | 29 September 1993 (Age: 32) |
| Place of Birth | Tehran, Iran |
| Nationality | Iranian |
| Height | 1.78 m / 5 ft 10 in |
| Weight | 69 kg |
| Position | Left-Back / Left Midfielder |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Current Club | Maxline Vitebsk |
| Previous Clubs | Rah Ahan, Akhmat Grozny, KAA Gent, AEK Athens, Adana Demirspor, Persepolis |
| International Caps | 79+ |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2018, 2022, 2026 |
| Market Value | — |
The Frozen Moment
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America marked Milad Mohammadi’s third consecutive appearance on football’s biggest stage. The veteran left-back, who had represented Iran in Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, was a fixture in Amir Ghalenoei’s squad as Iran sought to make a deep run in the tournament.
Mohammadi started two of Iran’s three group-stage matches, playing 90 minutes against New Zealand and 90 minutes against Egypt, and came on as a substitute in the match against Belgium. Across his 205 minutes of tournament football, he recorded one shot on target, one foul committed, one foul suffered, and two successful tackles. His pass accuracy stood at 82.5%, and he played a key role in Iran’s defensive organisation as they drew all three group-stage matches—2-2 with New Zealand, 0-0 with Belgium, and 1-1 with Egypt.
For a player who had won the Greek Super League with AEK Athens in 2023 and earned more than 79 caps for his country, the 2026 World Cup was another chapter in a distinguished international career that had spanned a decade.
Origins
Milad Mohammadi was born on 29 September 1993 in Tehran, Iran. Standing at 1.78 metres, he is a left-footed defender who primarily operates as a left-back but can also play as a left midfielder.
His football journey began in Iran’s domestic league. He started his senior career at Rah Ahan in 2014, where he played as a forward before being converted into a defender. His performances in the Iranian league caught the attention of European scouts, and in February 2016, he made the move to Russian Premier League side Akhmat Grozny.
The European Forge
Akhmat Grozny (2016-2019):
Mohammadi spent three seasons in the Russian Premier League with Akhmat Grozny, where he adapted to European football and established himself as a reliable left-back. Over his time at the club, he made 78 league appearances, scoring 3 goals. His performances in Russia earned him recognition and a move to Belgium.
KAA Gent (2019-2021):
In July 2019, Mohammadi joined Belgian Pro League side KAA Gent. During his two seasons in Belgium, he made 50 league appearances, scoring 1 goal and providing 5 assists. He also featured in the UEFA Europa League, making 12 appearances for the club.
AEK Athens (2021-2024):
In September 2021, Mohammadi moved to Greek side AEK Athens. His time in Greece was the most successful period of his career. In the 2022-23 season, he won the Greek Super League title with AEK. He made 48 Super League appearances, scoring 1 goal, and also featured in Greek Cup competitions. He also made appearances in the UEFA Europa League.
Adana Demirspor (2024):
In January 2024, Mohammadi transferred to Turkish Süper Lig side Adana Demirspor. He made 15 Süper Lig appearances, starting 14 matches, and featured in domestic cup competitions.
Persepolis (2024-2026):
On 19 August 2024, Mohammadi returned to Iran, signing with Persian Gulf Pro League giants Persepolis. His homecoming was a significant moment—he had left Iran for Europe in 2016 and was now returning to one of the country’s biggest clubs. In the 2025-26 season, he made 19 league appearances, playing 1,371 minutes, and recorded 3 assists. He kept 10 clean sheets and conceded just 5 goals—a rate of 0.33 goals per 90 minutes. He received 2 yellow cards.
Maxline Vitebsk (2026-Present):
In July 2026, following his World Cup campaign, Mohammadi completed a surprise move to Belarusian side Maxline Vitebsk, signing an 18-month contract. The move came as a shock to Persepolis supporters, who had believed he would extend his stay at the Tehran-based club. Instead, he opted to continue his career in Europe, returning to the continent after his stint in Iran. He made his debut for Maxline Vitebsk in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers, making three appearances and accumulating 67 minutes.
International Career
Senior Debut & Rise:
Mohammadi made his senior debut for Iran in 2015, featuring in a friendly match at age 21. He quickly established himself as a regular in the national team setup. By the end of the 2026 World Cup, he had earned 79 caps for Iran, having also featured in the 2022 World Cup (starting all three matches, 201 minutes) and the 2018 World Cup (two substitute appearances, 55 minutes). He represented Iran at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, starting all four matches.
2026 World Cup Campaign:
Mohammadi was named in Amir Ghalenoei’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, his third consecutive World Cup appearance. He played in all three of Iran’s group-stage matches, starting against New Zealand and Egypt, and coming on as a substitute against Belgium. He accumulated 205 minutes of tournament football, recording one shot on target, one foul committed, one foul suffered, and two successful tackles. He received no cards. Iran drew all three matches—2-2 with New Zealand, 0-0 with Belgium, and 1-1 with Egypt—but were eliminated in the group stage.
International Record:
Mohammadi has earned 79 caps for Iran and has yet to score his first international goal. He has represented Iran at three World Cups (2018, 2022, 2026) and the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
The Anatomy of His Game
Mohammadi is a left-footed defender defined by his versatility, defensive reliability, and attacking contributions from the flank. At 1.78 metres, he uses his pace and positional awareness to defend effectively and contribute to attacking transitions.
In Possession:
Mohammadi is a reliable passer who contributes to build-up play. In the 2025-26 Persian Gulf Pro League season, he recorded 3 assists in 19 appearances. At the 2026 World Cup, his pass accuracy stood at 82.5%. His crossing from wide areas is a key attribute. He has accumulated 26 career assists across 352 appearances.
Out of Possession:
Mohammadi’s defensive contributions are his primary asset. In the 2025-26 Persian Gulf Pro League season, he conceded just 0.33 goals per 90 minutes, kept 10 clean sheets in 19 appearances, and recorded a clean sheet percentage of 53%. At the 2026 World Cup, he recorded two successful tackles and maintained his discipline with no cards. In his career, he has received 20 yellow cards.
Psychological Edge:
Mohammadi’s career is defined by adaptability. He has played in Iran, Russia, Belgium, Greece, Turkey, and Belarus, constantly adapting to new leagues and footballing cultures. His return to Europe after a stint in Iran, even at age 32, reflects a player determined to continue challenging himself at the highest level.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: 2026 World Cup Snapshot
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Pass Accuracy | Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 3 | 2 | 205 | 0 | 0 | 82.5% | 0 |
TABLE B: 2025/26 Season Snapshot (Persepolis)
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Clean Sheets | Goals Conceded | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Persian Gulf Pro League | 19 | — | 1,371 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 5 | 2 |
TABLE C: Career (League Only)
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rah Ahan | 2014-2016 | — | — |
| Akhmat Grozny | 2016-2019 | 78 | 3 |
| KAA Gent | 2019-2021 | 50 | 1 |
| AEK Athens | 2021-2024 | 48 | 1 |
| Adana Demirspor | 2024 | 15 | 0 |
| Persepolis | 2024-2026 | 20+ | 0 |
| Maxline Vitebsk | 2026-Present | — | — |
| TOTAL | — | 352+ | 8 |
TABLE D: Career Achievements
| Honour | Details |
|---|---|
| Greek Super League | 2022-23 (AEK Athens) |
| FIFA World Cup Participant | 2018, 2022, 2026 |
| AFC Asian Cup Participant | 2019 |
| International Caps | 79+ |
| Career Appearances | 352+ |
| Career Assists | 26 |
What these figures reveal is a player who has enjoyed a long and successful career across multiple European leagues. His 352+ appearances, 26 assists, and 79 caps reflect a career of sustained output. His 2025-26 season at Persepolis—10 clean sheets and just 5 goals conceded in 19 appearances—demonstrates his defensive reliability. His three World Cup appearances underscore his importance to the Iranian national team.
The Present Tense
Milad Mohammadi is 32 years old and continues to compete at the international level. He is a left-back for Maxline Vitebsk in Belarus and a World Cup veteran for the Iranian national team.
The Maxline Vitebsk Story:
In July 2026, following the World Cup, Mohammadi signed an 18-month contract with Belarusian side Maxline Vitebsk. The move came as a surprise to Persepolis supporters, who had believed he would extend his stay at the Tehran-based club. He made his debut in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers, making three appearances and accumulating 67 minutes. His return to European football after his stint in Iran is a new chapter in a career that has spanned multiple continents.
The World Cup Campaign:
Mohammadi was named in Iran’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, his third consecutive World Cup appearance. He played in all three of Iran’s group-stage matches, starting two and coming on as a substitute in one, accumulating 205 minutes. He recorded one shot on target, one foul committed, one foul suffered, and two successful tackles. He received no cards. Iran drew all three matches but were eliminated in the group stage.
International Record:
Mohammadi has earned 79 caps for Iran since his debut in 2015. He has represented Iran at three World Cups (2018, 2022, 2026) and the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. He has yet to score his first international goal.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Mohammadi’s career is defined by a willingness to adapt and challenge himself. He has played in Iran, Russia, Belgium, Greece, Turkey, and Belarus—a journey that reflects a player who has never shied away from new challenges. His decision to return to Europe at age 32, signing with Maxline Vitebsk rather than extending his stay at Persepolis, is a testament to his ambition.
His time at AEK Athens was particularly successful—he won the Greek Super League title in the 2022-23 season. His performances in Greece, Belgium, and Russia have made him one of Iran’s most experienced European exports. His three World Cup appearances place him among Iran’s most-capped players in the tournament’s history.
The Verdict from the Camp
Tehran Times:
“Iran international Milad Mohammadi has completed a surprise move to Belarusian side Maxline Vitebsk. Mohammadi, 33, has penned an 18-month contract after leaving Persian Gulf Pro League giants Persepolis. The move comes as a surprise to Persepolis supporters, who believed the player would remain at the Tehran-based club after negotiations over a contract extension.”
L’Équipe:
“Mohammadi compte 79 sélections en équipe nationale d’Iran, et a participé 3 fois à la Coupe du monde (Russie 2018, Qatar 2022 et États-Unis/Canada/Mexique 2026).”
Where Next?
Milad Mohammadi is 32 years old and has signed an 18-month contract with Maxline Vitebsk in Belarus. His return to Europe after his stint at Persepolis marks a new chapter in his career. He is expected to continue competing for a place in the Iranian national team as Iran looks towards future campaigns.
For Iran, Mohammadi remains an experienced and reliable option at left-back. With 79 caps and three World Cups on his CV, he is one of the most experienced players in the national team setup. At 32, he has several years of international football ahead of him and could be a part of Iran’s squad for the 2027 Asian Cup and beyond.
From Tehran to Grozny, from Gent to Athens, from Adana to Tehran, and from Belarus to the World Cup, Milad Mohammadi’s journey is a story of adaptability, longevity, and quiet achievement. The left-back who rose through Iranian football is now a three-time World Cup player and a veteran of 79 international caps.
