Over the years, there have been some phenomenal footballers in the Iran Pro League. The standard of football in Iran's top division is certainly on the rise and, nowadays, the clubs are beginning to invest in foreign talent to join their homegrown players throughout the season. We take a look at five of the greatest Iran Pro League strikers of all-time and compare their goalscoring records.
5th: Karim Ansarifard
During his early career, Karim Ansarifard was incredibly prolific in front of goal. He scored 77 goals for Iranian clubs in 182 matches but then got a transfer to Spanish side Osasuna in 2014. However, his impact on the Iran League didn't go unnoticed as he finished as the division's top scorer twice in seven seasons. Nowadays, he is plying his trade for Panionios FC in the top tier of Greek football.
Ansarifard has scored ten goals in 48 games for the national team and may be included in their squad for the 2018 World Cup. Not only is he gifted, but his knowledge and advice could prove useful for the younger members of Iran's squad. As of January 21st, Iran are 300/1 outsiders at http://www.32red.com/jp/ and it would take a brave man to back them on current form. However, they do have plenty of promising talent in their ranks and Iran could cause a shock or two.
Fereydoon Fazli retired back in 2011 but his legacy will remain for a long time. Fazli was an out-and-out striker, the 'complete package' as some described him, and his ability to lose his marker and get open in the penalty area stood him tall above the other forwards of his day. He scored an incredible 92 goals in 198 matches in Iran, with 85 of those coming in just 178 Pro League fixtures - an incredible achievement.
Fazli was excellent with the ball at his feet but perhaps his greatest trait was his aerial ability. Using his clever movement, he was able to get open in the penalty area and was lethal from around the penalty spot - just check out his header (at around 5:45) in the YouTube clip below. There probably won't be another one like him for quite some time.
3rd: Mehdi Rajabzadeh
What a career Mehdi Rajabzadeh has had. With over 300 appearances under his belt, he is one of the most experienced players in the Iran Pro League and still plays to this day despite starting out back in 1998. The attacking midfielder has netted 86 goals in his Iran career, as well as a further seven during a two-year stint in his homeland of the United Arab Emirates.
He's widely regarded as a club legend by the Zob Ahan faithful and it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see him play a key role in what could be his last season for the club. You can keep up with all of the latest news and results online and various bookmakers, including 32Red and Totesport, can offer the latest odds on Zob Ahan's championship chances this season. He will forever be remembered as a true great in the Iran game.
2nd: Arash Borhani
Arash Borhani is a phenomenal talent. In fact, it wouldn't be totally unfair to rank him first on this list. However we've gone for second. He is the all-time top goalscorer for Esteghlal - Iran's premier and most successful club side - and sits second on the Iran Pro League rankings for most career goals. For Esteghlal alone, he scored 125 goals in just 217 matches.
Borhani has shone throughout his career and although he is now approaching his twilight years, he still has plenty of fuel in the tank. At 32 years old, he may no longer have the speed to trouble opposing defenders but he remains one of the most intelligent players on the football field, which makes him an absolute nuisance to track. With ten goals in 37 matches for Iran, he's also a national team hero.
1st: Reza Enayati
Not only is Reza Enayati the greatest striker in Iran Pro League history, he is the greatest player in Iran Pro League history. At 39 years old, he is still performing at the top level - which is testament to him and how well he looks after himself. In 289 Iranian league fixtures, Enayati has netted 140 goals, which leaves him standing alone as the country's top goalscorer but he also enjoyed a brief stint in the United Arab Emirates.
Although he retired from international football in 2008, Enayati still netted eight goals in just 30 games for Iran. He is a true role model for young Iranian footballers who are looking to make it in the sport and many should follow his example both on and off the field. You could have made the case for Borhani as the greatest but Enayati's sheer consistency and longevity at the highest level just give him the edge.