Mohammad Reza Khalatbari (footballer, born 1983)

Mohammad Reza Khalatbari (Persian: محمدرضا خلعتبری, born 14 September 1983) is an Iranian former professional footballer. During his professional football career, he has played as an attacking midfielder, Winger and Forward in the Persian Gulf Pro League, UAE Pro League and Qatar Stars League. Khalatbari has scored 5 goals in 60 matches for the Iran national football team.

Mohammad-Reza Khalatbari
Khalatbari with Iran in May 2014
Personal information
Full nameMohammad-Reza Khalatbari Limaki
Date of birth (1983-09-14) 14 September 1983 (age 40)
Place of birthRamsar, Iran[1]
Height1.69 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s)Winger/ Forward
Youth career
2000–2003Shamoushak[2]
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2003–2004Shamoushak14(1)
2004–2006Aboumoslem51(3)
2006–2011Zob Ahan126(35)
2011–2012Al Gharrafa6(1)
2012Al Wasl (loan)10(3)
2012–2013Sepahan32(13)
2013Ajman0(0)
2013–2014Persepolis22(6)
2014–2016Sepahan51(13)
2016–2017Gostaresh Foolad13(0)
2017Saipa13(1)
2017–2019Padideh39(3)
2019–2020Zob Ahan11(1)
2020Shahr Khodro10(1)
2020–2022Sepahan33(1)
2022–2023Foolad11(1)
2023Aluminium2(0)
International career
2005–2015Iran60(5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19 March 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 30 May 2014 (UTC)

Club career edit

Early years edit

Khalatbari began his career with Shamoushak's youth teams and joined Aboumoslem in the summer of 2004. He helped Aboumoslem reach the Hazfi Cup final where they lost to Saba Qom on penalties.

Zob Ahan edit

After two years with Aboumoslem, in July 2006, he signed for Zob Ahan,[3] where he played important matches and led his team to win the Hazfi Cup in June 2009.During the Summer of 2009, Khalatbari had a trial at FC Köln, however the manager (Zvonimir Soldo) stated that Khalatbari was "lacking physical strength" and that "he might be a problem in Germany",.[4] He returned after his failed trial to become one of the most influential players in league and ACL in the 2009–10 season,[5] where Zob Ahan reached the Champions League final for the first time in club history.

Al Gharrafa edit

He left Zob Ahan in June 2011 and signed a contract with Al Gharrafa Qatar. After an unsuccessful half-season at Al-Gharrafa, Khalatbari left the club in the winter transfer window.

Al Ain F.C. edit

In early 2012, he was moved to Al Ain F.C.,A successful loan from Al Gharafa He Scored 3 goals in 17 caps for Al Ain F.C.

Sepahan and Ajman edit

Khalatbari playing for Sepahan in an AFC Champions League match against Al-Nasr

On 10 July 2012, he joined Iranian champion Sepahan. He won the Hazfi Cup with Sepahan and became the league's top assistant player with 13 assists. He was also one of the league's top scorers with 14 league goals. Khalatbari had one of the best years in hs career with 17 goals in 45 appearances in all competitions. At the end of 2012–13 season, he moved to Ajman but the transfer was canceled after the renaming of UAE Pro League to UAE Arabian Gulf League.[6][7]

Persepolis edit

Khalatbari in Persepolis Training in September 2013

On 1 September 2013, Persepolis and Ajman reached an agreement with a fee around $800,000 and he joined Persepolis with a two-year contract.[8] He made his debut in the Tehran derby match against Esteghlal. His first goal came when he scored a penalty kick in a match against Gostaresh Foolad. His six league goals helped Persepolis to a second-place league finish and a berth in the Asian Champions League. At the end of season, while he had financial problems with Persepolis, he paid one third of Ajman's debt (fee around $250,000)[9] and skip his debts (fee around 3,400 million Rials).[10] on 15 July 2014, Persepolis released him.[11]

Return to Sepahan edit

Khalatbari playing for Padideh in 2018

On 15 July 2014, Khalatbari returned to Sepahan, signing a two-year contract.[12]

Club career statistics edit

As of 20 October 2018
Club performanceLeagueCupContinentalTotal
SeasonClubLeagueAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
IranLeagueHazfi CupAsiaTotal
2003–04ShamoushakIran Pro League14100141
2004–05Aboumoslem25000250
2005–0626300263
2006–07Zob Ahan19110201
2007–0825720277
2008–092810323112
2009–102611411154017
2010–112851061356
QatarLeagueEmir of Qatar CupAsiaTotal
2011–12Al GharrafaQatar Stars League82110093
United Arab EmiratesLeaguePresident's CupAsiaTotal
2011–12Al AinUAE Pro-League16211--173
IranLeagueHazfi CupAsiaTotal
2012–13SepahanIran Pro League321452814517
2013–14Persepolis21620216
2014–15Sepahan26910279
2015–16911160162
2016–17Gostaresh20200202
2017Saipa13100131
2017–18Padideh710071
2018–1915220172
Zob Ahan100010
2019–2021000021
2020Shahr Khodro1411020172
TotalIran3517820635740688
TotalQatar82110093
TotalUnited Arab Emirates10341144
Career total3698325835742998
  • Assists
SeasonTeamAssists
05–06Aboumoslem1
06–07Zob Ahan2
07–08Zob Ahan4
08–09Zob Ahan14
09–10Zob Ahan5
10–11Zob Ahan11
11–12Al Gharrafa4
11–12Al Ain2
12–13Sepahan13
13–14Persepolis5
14–15Sepahan3

International career edit

Khalatbari in training with Iran

Khalatbari plays as both winger and attacking midfielder for Iran. He's played in the WAFF Championships, 2010 World Cup qualifiers and 2011 Asian Cup qualifiers. He played an important role in securing Iran's spot in the 2014 FIFA World Cup under manager Carlos Queiroz. He was selected in Iran's 30-man provisional squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup by Carlos Queiroz.[13] However, Khalatbari did not make in the final 23-man squad.

International goals edit

Scores and results list Iran's goal tally first.
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.9 February 2011Al Dhafra Stadium, Madinat Zayed, United Arab Emirates  Russia1–01–0Friendly
2.28 July 2011Galolhu National Stadium, Malé, Maldives  Maldives1–01–02014 FIFA World Cup qualification
3.3 June 2012JAR Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan  Uzbekistan1–01–02014 FIFA World Cup qualification
4.15 August 2012Széktói Stadion, Kecskemét, Hungary  Tunisia2–22–2Friendly
5.11 June 2013Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran  Lebanon1–04–02014 FIFA World Cup qualification

Attributes edit

Khalatbari is best known for his technical skill and fast pace on the ball, his vision, and his shooting capabilities.

Honours edit

Club edit

Abomooslem
Zob Ahan
Al Ain FC
Sepahan
Persepolis
Foolad

Country edit

Individual edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Hamshahri". Archived from the original on 23 June 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  2. ^ "Javan". Archived from the original on 7 April 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  3. ^ Mohammad Reza Khalatbari at National-Football-Teams.com
  4. ^ Cologne close in on Khalatbari
  5. ^ Jaamejam
  6. ^ Tehran Times Archived 31 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ "Angle Chronicle". Archived from the original on 1 June 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  8. ^ Mehrnews: Khalatbari joined Persepolis with a 2-years contract
  9. ^ Fars: Khalatbari paid Ajman's third part of debts
  10. ^ Perspolisnews.com: Khalatbari skip his debts
  11. ^ Khabaronline: Khalatbari released by Perspolis
  12. ^ "Sepahan FC: Khalatbari joined Sepahan". Archived from the original on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  13. ^ "Team Melli final 30 given to FIFA". Persian Football. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  14. ^ "Foolad beat Persepolis to win Iran's Super Cup". Tehran Times. Retrieved 7 February 2022.

External links edit