Latest news with #MehdiTaremi
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Inter president 'plots escape route' for Club World Cup player stranded in Iran as trapped star sends updates 'every few hours' amid Israel conflict
Inter Milan 's striker Mehdi Taremi is in 'constant contact' with his club while he is stuck in Iran amid the ongoing conflict with Israel, as his club try to find an exit plan for the star. Taremi, 32, was named in Inter's squad for the Club World Cup in the United States and their first fixture comes on Wednesday against Mexican side Monterrey, but was unable to join up with his side. He had flown back to his homeland to accept Iran's Footballer of the Year award and planned to then jet straight out to Los Angeles to join his club team-mates. The frontman was also in Iran to play for the national team in their World Cup qualifiers against Qatar and North Korea, and scored against the latter. However, the rapid escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran saw Israeli missiles and jets bombard nuclear and military facilities, with Tehran targeted. Inter president Giuseppe Marotta has reportedly been in contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Italian ambassador to Tehran, Paola Amadei, in order to try to find a way to extract Taremi. However, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport there is as yet no resolution to the issue of flying Taremi out of Tehran. The only solution, the outlet claims, available to the club and player is to leave Iran by land, most likely car, and then join his team from there. Yet the Italian giants are thought to have advised Taremi against such a measure due to the high level of risk involved, with the ultimate priority being the safety and welfare of the striker and his family. Taremi himself has been in contact with his team-mates in the US on their hunt for the Club World Cup trophy, and is thought to be constantly in touch with team manager Matteo Tagliacarne. He reportedly sent them encouragement a couple of hours before their 1-1 draw with Mexican side Monterrey at the Club World Cup on Wednesday. Taremi's family, also in Iran, are not thought to be with him, and Gazzetta's report claims that he is still in good spirits, and hasn't lost his 'humour' when he talks with his team. Most importantly, he is believed to have reassured the rest of the Inter squad and hierarchy that he does not feel in danger, amid conflict between the two nations. Taremi remained on the bench during Inter's Champions League final defeat by PSG but made 43 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring three goals.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Iran Star Reassures Inter Milan Teammates ‘I'm Alright' – In Regular Contact As Israeli Strikes Prevent Travel
Mehdi Taremi has reassured his Inter Milan teammates that he is 'alright' as Israeli strikes against Iran continue and he's unable to travel. This according to today's print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews. They report that the 32-year-old is in regular contact with the Nerazzurri. Advertisement Inter striker Mehdi Taremi is currently stuck in the Iranian capital of Tehran. The 32-year-old had been scheduled to leave Iran to join the Inter squad in the US for the Club World Cup last week. In fact, he had been at the airport waiting for his flight. However, dramatic unforeseen developments have changed things. Last week, Israel began a campaign of airstrikes throughout Iran. Meanwhile, Iran began retaliating with strikes of their own against Israel. Not surprisingly, this escalating conflict has grounded all flights to and from Iran. Mehdi Taremi Reassures Inter Milan Teammates 'I'm Alright' Amid Israeli Airstrikes MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 19: Mehdi Taremi of FC Internazionale looks on during the Coppa Italia, Round of 16 match between FC Internazionale and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 19, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by) Naturally, the situation is a stressful and highly uncertain one for striker Mehdi Taremi. Advertisement The Gazzetta report that the Inter striker has not left his dwelling since returning from the airport from his unsuccessful flight last week. Taremi's priority is his family, who are currently in a different location. However, reports the Gazzetta, despite the difficult situation, Mehdi Taremi remains in good spirits. The newspaper reports that the 32-year-old is still in contact with his Inter teammates. He is posting regularly in the team group chat. And the message from Taremi is still the same: 'I'm alright' in spite of the situation. Meanwhile, reports the Gazzetta, Taremi is messaging with Inter team manager Matteo Tagliacarne every 3-4 hours regarding his situation. There is still no clear answer regarding when the 32-year-old will be able to leave his home country of Iran. But as of now, he is safe and waiting for further developments.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Report – Inter Milan Must Offload Iran Superstar Before Pursuing Signature Of Manchester United Outcast
Report – Inter Milan Must Offload Iran Superstar Before Pursuing Signature Of Manchester United Outcast Inter Milan cannot sign Manchester United flop Rasmus Hojlund before addressing the future of unsettled star Mehdi Taremi. According to Tuttosport via FCInterNews, the Nerazzurri can only pursue the Dane's signature after offloading the Iranian. Advertisement Though Inter are on the verge of signing Parma starlet Ange-Yoan Bonny, they're keen to add another striker. Rasmus Hojlund has emerged as a suitable profile despite his torrid time at Old Trafford, but there's a wrinkle. Indeed, they must sell before they can buy. Mehdi Taremi Must Make Room for Ramsus Hojlund at Inter Milan MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 22: Mehdi Taremi of FC Internazionale reacts during during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Genoa CFC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 22, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by) Taremi joined Inter as one of Europe's most lethal goalscorers. However, he has struggled in Italy, netting only one goal in Serie A last season. As a result, his future at the San Siro is up in the air as Inter aim to revamp their attacking options. Furthermore, Joaquin Correa already joined Botafogo RJ, while Marko Arnautovic will soon finish his second spell at the club. Therefore, the Nerazzurri want to sign two strikers. Hojlund could prove a valuable signing, but with Man Utd seeking €45 million, the deal looks far-fetched.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Inter Milan's packed schedule shows strains FIFA Club World Cup puts on teams
Inter Milan manager Cristian Chivu instructs his players during a 1-1 draw with Monterrey in the FIFA Club World Cup at the Rose Bowl on Tuesday night. (Gregory Bull / Associated Press) It's been just 18 days since Inter Milan played its last game, losing to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final. But a lot has happened since then. The team parted ways with manager Simone Inzaghi, who led it to two European finals in three seasons, and replaced him with Cristian Chivu. It temporarily lost the services of forward Mehdi Taremi, who had returned to his native Iran earlier this month and became stranded there when Israeli attacks closed the airspace over much of the Mideast. Advertisement Then the rest of the second-best club in Europe traveled 6,000 miles from Milan to Los Angeles, where it opened the Club World Cup on Tuesday in a 1-1 draw with Mexican club Monterrey before an announced crowd of 40,311 at the Rose Bowl. Read more: Commentary: Angel City takes stand against immigration raids as others stay silent 'We're trying to focus. And it's not easy every day, I'm not going to lie,' said forward Marcus Thuram, whose 18 goals in all competition was second on the team this season. 'But it's part of what we do, we love what we do and we'll continue doing what we do.' Only doing what they do has become far more complicated and exhausting in recent years as the competition schedule for both club and country has expanded. Advertisement Thuram's father, Lilian, was widely regarded as one of the best defenders of his era during an 18-year career that saw him win two Serie A titles, a European championship and play in two World Cup finals, winning one. But he appeared in 46 or more club matches in a season just four times before retiring in 2008. His 27-year-old son has done that in each of the past two seasons. And if Inter makes it to the final of the Club World Cup, he'll wind up playing 55 games in 11 months. That doesn't count his 10 appearances for the French national team since last June. 'We were prepared for that at the beginning of the season. It's not like they announced that at the end of the season,' Thuram, who came off the bench early in the second half Tuesday, said of the Club World Cup. 'We knew it was going to be a long season.' But how long is too long? In their ravenous quest for revenue, soccer clubs, leagues and governing bodies have crowded the calendar with invented competitions that have drained both fans' bank accounts and players' energy levels. Advertisement The Club World Cup is a perfect example. Although the tournament has been around since 2000, before this summer it never had more than eight teams and was held at one site during a 10-day break in the European season. This year it's expanded into a 32-team, monthlong competition that will be played in 11 cities spread across a continent. If Inter Milan makes it to next month's final, its players will have just a couple of weeks off before reporting to training camp for the next Serie A season, which opens Aug. 23. With the World Cup also expanding next summer, national team players such as Thuram could play more than 70 games in 44 weeks and more than 120 games over two seasons. That's clearly unsustainable. Read more: LAFC's 10-match unbeaten streak ends in loss to Chelsea at FIFA Club World Cup Advertisement 'A serious dialogue is needed between FIFA, UEFA, leagues, clubs and players to redesign an international calendar that protects the health of players and maintains the quality of games,' said Giuseppe Marotta, chairman and chief executive officer of Inter Milan. 'With the introduction of the new Champions League format and the new Club World Cup, the workload on teams and players has clearly increased significantly.' Yet clubs such as Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain (which played 58 games this season) and Manchester City (57 games) are drawn to the extra competitions for the same reason as the organizers who put them on: the money. The Club World Cup, now the largest and most ambitious global club tournament in history, is also the most lucrative, with a prize-money purse of $1 billion. The winner could take home $125 million, more than PSG got for winning the Champions League. But it was forced into a gap in the schedule that really didn't exist before. 'It's undeniable that this event, positioned between two different seasons, is forcing us to do extra work and rethink what the traditional summer periods looks like for a football club,' Marotta said. 'However these competitions also represent a huge opportunity in terms of visibility and revenue, often exceeding that of traditional competitions.' Advertisement The Club World Cup allows teams to face rivals from other continents, expanding their international following and generating additional revenue streams by planting the team's flag in new markets and introducing its players to new fans. 'The goal is to tell the American public who we are and what values have always guided us,' Marotta said. 'It's not about proving how good we are,' he added of the tournament. 'It's about contributing to the development of global football.' To accommodate it, Marotta said, changes will have to be made. For example Italy's Serie A could compact from 20 to 18 teams, the same as in the German Bundesliga and France's Ligue 1. That would mean four fewer league games per year; not a dramatic reduction, but a start. Advertisement Until that happens, Thuram said the players will continue doing what they do for as long as they can do it. 'It's about doing everything every day to prepare your body for these extreme games and extreme competition. Because soccer at the highest level is extreme for the body. It's tough,' he said. 'But we have a lot of coaches, we have chefs, we have everything that is set up for us perfectly.' As for the game, Milan dominated statistically, controlling the ball for more than 55 of the 90 minutes and outshooting Monterrey 15-9. But it couldn't make that advantage count. All the scoring came in a 20-minute span of the first half with the ageless Sergio Ramos putting Monterrey in front with a header in the 25th minute and Lautaro Martinez pulling that back for Milan three minutes before the intermission. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Report – Iran Superstar Wants To Stay At San Siro Despite Inter Milan Pursuit Of Parma & Man Utd Strikers
Report – Iran Superstar Wants To Stay At San Siro Despite Inter Milan Pursuit Of Parma & Man Utd Strikers Inter Milan remain hot on the heels of Ange-Yoan Bonny and Rasmus Hojlund, but that doesn't seem to bother Mehdi Taremi. According to Tuttosport via FCInterNews, the Iran international is keen to stay at the San Siro despite an underwhelming first season. Advertisement Though Mehdi Taremi joined the Nerazzurri as one of Europe's most lethal goal-getters after a superb stint at Porto. However, the 32-year-old has never found his footing in Serie A. Indeed, he only netted one league goal in his first year in Italy. Therefore, his summer exit is a distinct possibility. Mehdi Taremi Wants to Stay Despite Inter Milan Pursuit of Hojlund & Bonny MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 16: Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United reacts during a training session ahead of their UEFA Europa League 2024/25 quarter final second leg match against Olympique Lyonnais at Carrington Training Ground on April 16, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by) Unfazed by a lack of first-team opportunities, Taremi is not thinking about leaving Inter. Yet, his situation could soon become more complicated. Indeed, the Serie A runners-up are eager to add Ange-Yoan Bonny and Rasmus Hojlund to their ranks this summer. Advertisement The former is a realistic target. Parma are open to letting him go for a reported fee of up to €25 million. Meanwhile, the Dane would command a higher price tag, with Manchester United asking for around €40m for their flop. Nonetheless, Inter want them both, which would significantly derail Taremi's playing time next term.
