Infected with the virus on 21 January, at the age of 45 this Wednesday night passed away one of the outstanding midfielders and a true legend of Islamic Republic of Iran Mehrdad Minavand.
On a team level he won the bronze medal at the 1996 Asian Cup event. Two years later was a member in the first ever victory for the country at the World Cups (against United States of America, 2:1). When it comes to clubs, is the only Iranian footballer who played 21 games from the European version of Champions league, while back home participated in the famous Persepolis leaving a deep trace.
That is why former coaches and players from this club together with other football stars, were at his funeral the following day in the capital Tehran.