Mehdi Taremi broke barriers as Iran’s first Champions League regular at top European clubs, earning €5.55 million gross annually at Inter Milan. His free transfer from Porto secured a lucrative three-year contract that positions him as Iran’s highest-earning active player in Europe’s elite leagues.
Sardar Azmoun commands substantial wages in the UAE after years at Russian and German clubs. His €8 million market value reflects consistent goal-scoring prowess that attracted Bayer Leverkusen before his Gulf move multiplied his earnings potential.
Check out Iranian football legends’ journeys and discover how they stack up against global football players net worth across continents.
| Goalkeeper | Defender | Midfielder | Forward |
| Alireza Beiranvand | Shoja Khalilzadeh | Saeid Ezatolahi | Sardar Azmoun |
| Hossein Hosseini | Milad Mohammadi | Ali Gholizadeh | Mehdi Taremi |
| Payam Niazmand | Hossein Kanani | Saman Ghoddos | Alireza Jahanbakhsh |
| Mohammad Khalifeh | Ali Nemati | Omid Noorafkan | Mehdi Ghayedi |
| Saleh Hardani | Mohammad Mohebbi | Ali Alipour | |
| Amin Hazbavi | Roozbeh Cheshmi | Shahriyar Moghanlou | |
| Aria Yousefi | Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh | ||
| Danial Iri | Mohammad Ghorbani | ||
| Seyed Mohammad Karimi | |||
| Mohammad Hosseinnezhad |
10 Richest Football Players in Iran
Iranian footballers maximize earnings through strategic moves to Russia, Germany, and increasingly the Persian Gulf states where tax-free salaries boost wealth accumulation.
| Player Name | Annual Salary | Estimated Net Worth | Current Status |
| Mehdi Taremi | €5.55 million | $15-18 million | Inter Milan (Active) |
| Sardar Azmoun | $4-5 million | $12-15 million | Shabab Al-Ahli (Active) |
| Alireza Jahanbakhsh | $800,000 | $8 million | Heerenveen (Active) |
| Ali Karimi | N/A | $10 million | Retired |
| Ali Daei | N/A | $8 million | Retired |
| Karim Ansarifard | $2 million | $7 million | Persepolis (Active) |
| Rouzbeh Cheshmi | $1.5 million | $5 million | Al-Sadd (Active) |
| Ehsan Hajsafi | $1.2 million | $6 million | AEK Athens (Active) |
| Saeid Ezatolahi | $1.8 million | $5 million | Shabab Al-Ahli (Active) |
| Mehdi Ghayedi | $1.5 million | $4 million | Al-Nasr SC (Active) |
Taremi’s Inter Milan contract represents a career pinnacle for Iranian players. His €3 million net salary (€5.55 million gross) places him among Serie A’s better-compensated forwards.
Team Melli Payment Structure
Iran Football Federation compensates national team players modestly compared to Gulf Arab neighbors. AFC Asian Cup campaigns offer the primary financial incentives beyond club salaries.
Compensation Details:
- World Cup matches: $10,000-$15,000 per appearance
- Asian Cup games: $8,000-$12,000 per match with progression bonuses
- Qualifiers: $5,000-$8,000 per game
- Friendly fixtures: $2,000-$4,000 per appearance
- Tournament success bonuses: Six-figure distributions for championship runs
Iran’s 2022 World Cup appearance generated bonuses totaling approximately $1-1.5 million distributed across the squad, providing substantial supplements to domestic-based players’ club wages.
Persian Gulf Pro League vs. European Earnings
Iran’s domestic league pays competitively within Asia but cannot match European standards. Persepolis and Esteghlal’s top earners make $150,000-$300,000 annually, while mid-table players earn $30,000-$80,000.
| League | Typical Salary | Example | Career Earnings |
| Persian Gulf Pro League | $100,000-$300,000 | Top domestic players | $3-8M career |
| Russian Premier League | €1-3 million | Historical Iranian moves | $15-30M career |
| Eredivisie/Bundesliga | €800,000-€2M | Jahanbakhsh path | $10-25M career |
| Serie A/Top 5 | €3-6 million | Taremi breakthrough | $25-50M career |
Most Iranian stars follow the pathway: Persian Gulf Pro League → Russian/Turkish/Dutch football → Top European leagues. This progression maximizes earning potential while developing skills against increasingly difficult competition.
Azmoun’s career exemplifies smart financial planning. After establishing himself at Rubin Kazan and Zenit (€2-3M annually), he moved to Bayer Leverkusen before cashing in with a lucrative UAE contract that pays significantly more tax-free.
Iranian Footballers’ Wealth-Building Strategies
Tax-free Persian Gulf contracts revolutionized wealth accumulation for Iranian players. UAE and Saudi Arabia clubs offer salaries 2-3 times European equivalents without taxation, creating accelerated wealth building opportunities.
Key Income Streams:
- Serie A and Bundesliga contracts (€3-6M for elite players)
- Tax-free Gulf state salaries maximizing take-home earnings
- Persian Gulf Pro League’s improving wage structures
- Limited international endorsements due to sanctions impact
- Tehran real estate investments generating passive income
Taremi negotiated his Inter Milan deal to include substantial performance bonuses tied to goals and assists. His Champions League experience adds €500,000+ annually in competition bonuses.
Iranian players face unique challenges converting European earnings to local currency due to international banking restrictions. Many maintain offshore accounts and invest in UAE or Turkish property markets for wealth preservation.
FAQs
Who is Iran’s wealthiest footballer?
Mehdi Taremi currently leads active players with estimated $15-18 million net worth from his Porto and Inter Milan careers. His €5.55 million gross Inter salary makes him Iran’s highest European earner in 2025.
What does Mehdi Taremi earn at Inter Milan?
Taremi receives €3 million net annually (€5.55 million gross) under his three-year Inter Milan contract. Performance bonuses for goals and Champions League appearances can push total earnings above €6 million yearly.
How much do Iranian national team players receive?
Team Melli players earn $10,000-$15,000 per World Cup match with additional win bonuses. Asian Cup tournaments pay slightly less, while friendly matches typically provide $2,000-$4,000 per appearance.
Why do Iranian players move to UAE and Qatar?
Persian Gulf leagues offer tax-free salaries that effectively double or triple European net earnings. A player earning €2 million taxed in Europe can receive $4-5 million tax-free in the Gulf, dramatically improving wealth accumulation.
What’s the average Persian Gulf Pro League salary?
Iran’s top division pays between $50,000-$300,000 annually for established players. Rising stars earn $20,000-$80,000, while veterans at Persepolis and Esteghlal command the league’s highest wages at $200,000-$300,000.
