Prominent football star dies of COVID-19 at 45

He donned his country's colors and represented Iran in the 1998 FIFA World Club. The left-winger also played for foreign clubs like Strum Graz (Austria), Sporting Charleroi (Belgium) and Al-Shabab (UAE) before returning home to join Persepolis for a second stint. He has the distinction of being the only Iranian footballer to feature in 21 games in the UEFA Champions League.