Mehrdad Minavand (; 30 November 1975 – 27 January 2021) was an Iranian professional footballer and coach. He played mostly as a left midfielder but was also deployed as a left winger or left-back. Club career Minavand was born in Tehran. He played for a few clubs, including Keshavarz F.C., Persepolis FC, Sturm Graz (Austria), Sporting Charleroi (Belgium) and Al-Shabab (United Arab Emirates) as well as Sepahan. He last played for Rah Ahan FC, but left the team after the 2005–06 season. He played 21 matches in UEFA Champions League and he is all-time record holder among the Iranian footballers in this feature. International career Minavand played for the Iran national team and was a participant at the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Death On 21 January 2021, Minavand was hospitalised due to COVID-19. Six days later it was announced that he had died from the virus, aged 45. Career statistics International Scores and results list Iran's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Minavand goal. Honours Persepolis Iranian League: 1995–96, 1996–97 Sturm Graz Austrian Bundesliga: 1998–99 Austrian Cup: 1998–99 Austrian Supercup: 1998, 1999 Individual AFC Asian Cup Team of the Tournament: 1996 References External links 1975 births 2021 deaths Association football wingers Association football fullbacks 1996 AFC Asian Cup players 1998 FIFA World Cup players 2000 AFC Asian Cup players Iran international footballers Iranian expatriate footballers Iranian footballers Persepolis F.C. players R. Charleroi S.C. players Rah Ahan players Sepahan S.C. footballers SK Sturm Graz players Keshavarz players Belgian Pro League players Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran