Inter Milan & Iran Star Proud Of Champions League Dreams: ‘Not Many Iranians Can Say They’ve Played In A Semifinal’ | OneFootball

Inter Milan striker Mehdi Taremi is proud to be one of the few Iranian internationals to have played in a Champions League semifinal.

The 32-year-old gave his thoughts to UK broadcaster TNT Sports, via FCInterNews, ahead of today’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Striker Mehdi Taremi joined Inter Milan last summer. He arrived on a free transfer after his contract with Porto had expired.

It has been a season with ups and downs for Taremi. The Iranian has dealt with injury problems, and he has not scored anywhere near the number of goals that most had expected.

Nevertheless, Taremi has the chance to end his first season at Inter on a real high. Inter face PSG in the Champions League final today.

And Taremi played his role in the Nerazzurri getting to this point. He came off the bench against Barcelona in both legs of the semifinals.

And it was in fact Taremi who assisted Davide Frattesi for Inter’s dramatic extra time winner in the second leg.

Inter Striker Mehdi Taremi: “Not Many Iranians Can Say They’ve Played In A UCL Semifinal”

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – JANUARY 06: Mehdi Taremi of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Italian Super Cup Final between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Kingdom Arena on January 06, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)

Mehdi Taremi looked back, “the semifinal against Barcelona was a great night for me and for the team.”

“I was happy with how Davide Frattesi and I did when we came onto the pitch,” he continued.

“As well as the other players. It was really great for all of us.”

Then, Taremi gave his thoughts on his best moment at Inter so far. “The most important thing for us was winning the match.”

“The assist was important, but also all the emotions of that evening. Everything was perfect for me.”

Meanwhile, Taremi explained his thought process in assisting that big goal for Frattesi. “Marcus [Thuram] is not a player who crosses the ball high very often,” he said.

“But I know him. And I went where I thought he would put the ball.”

“Then I passed it to Frattesi, and he finished it perfectly” Taremi recalled.

“It was emotional for everyone.”

“As an Iranian and a Middle Eastern player, I would say this is a dream come true,” Taremi declared.

“Not many players from my country can say that they’ve played in a Champions League final,” he continued. “The biggest tournament in the world.”

“That moment, I can’t describe it in words,” Taremi said of the semifinal second leg.