The worst-case scenario that was feared has been avoided. Mehdi Taremi (33, Inter Milan), who lost contact while caught up in the war, sent a survival message via social media.
French outlet Foot Mercato reported on the 17th (Korean time) that "Taremi just shared news by posting an Instagram story. He conveyed the message, 'Leave Iran alone.' To reiterate, the Inter forward is currently stranded at Tehran Airport due to the closure of Iranian airspace resulting from Israeli airstrikes, so he will not be able to join Inter for the Club World Cup."
It is a relief news. Taremi had not been in contact with Inter until early that morning. Earlier, Foot Mercato reported that "Due to the conflict in the Middle East, Inter has lost contact with Taremi. There are major concerns surrounding Taremi."
The media stated, "Several civilian areas in Iran have suffered severe damage from Israeli bombings. Communication with Taremi has been cut off for several hours. He, who transferred to Inter last year, was on vacation with his family."
With missiles falling, Taremi's life was also in danger. Foot Mercato noted, "We send our full support to Taremi, his family, and the Iranian people. In the face of this tragic event, the football community is showing solidarity. While messages of support are pouring in on social media, the exact situation in some affected areas remains unclear."
Fortunately, Taremi quickly shared an update on social media. While his exact condition has not been confirmed, it appears he avoided significant danger enough to post a message wishing for the safety of his homeland, Iran.
Taremi is one of the top forwards representing Asia. Born in 1992, he is the same age as Son Heung-min and has been making a name for himself in European football since 2020 with FC Porto. Notably, Taremi became the assist leader in the Primeira Liga in the 2020-2021 season and the top scorer in the 2022-2023 season, setting several records as the first Asian player to do so.
In the Iranian national team, Taremi has scored 55 goals in 94 international matches. After conquering the Portuguese stage, he signed a three-year contract with Inter as a free agent last summer, making his debut in a big league. However, being the first Iranian player at Inter, Taremi struggled in the competition for a starting position, finishing his debut season with 43 matches, 3 goals, and 7 assists.
Finishing the season with some regrets, Taremi joined the Iranian national team for the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA North and Central American World Cup. He recorded 1 goal and 1 assist against North Korea on the 11th, showcasing his ongoing skills.
Afterward, Taremi visited his home country Iran to enjoy a vacation with his family. He had planned to participate in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which kicked off in the U.S. on the 15th, but his departure was blocked due to Israeli airstrikes, as flights were shut down amid missile exchanges between Iran and Israel.
Ultimately, Taremi's participation in the Club World Cup has been canceled. Recently, Foot Mercato reported that "The military conflict between Israel and Iran is causing a major upheaval in the football community. Taremi will not participate in the Club World Cup with Inter. He is currently stranded in his homeland, unable to depart. Iranian airspace has been closed indefinitely, and the risk level is very high."
Nonetheless, Taremi's safety has reportedly not been compromised. He is said to be staying in Tehran and has sought refuge in a safe place from the bombings. Inter has been closely communicating with Iranian authorities regarding Taremi's safety and exploring solutions. However, missile strikes falling over Tehran could not be prevented, and there were harrowing hours where contact with Taremi was lost.
[Photo] ⓒGettyimages (Reprint and redistribution prohibited), Foot Mercato social media.
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