Saeid Ezatolahi

Saeid Ezatolahi Afagh (born 1 October 1996) is an Iranian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for club Shabab Al Ahli in UAE Pro League and the Iran national team.

Saeid started his career with Shahrdari Bandar Anzali in 2008 as a youth player.

He moved to the Malavan youth academy in the summer of 2010 and was promoted to the first team in July 2012.

Ezatolahi came up through Malavan's youth academy and impressed from an early age, making his first team debut in 2012 and being the Iran Pro League's youngest ever player at the age of 16.

Ezatolahi has earned several accolades, including the Iranian federation's young player of the year award.

Ezatolahi made his debut against Rah Ahan on 26 October 2012 as a substitute just 25 days after his 16th birthday, making him the youngest ever player in the history of the Iran Pro League.

At the end of the season, Tehran giants Esteghlal reportedly made an offer for him.

He was also awarded the prize for young player of the year.

He made his season debut as a regular starter against Saba Qom.

After giving an impressive performance at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in October 2013, European clubs like Besiktas, Lugano and Lausanne Sport were reported to follow the youngster closely.

In December 2013, Ezatolahi seemed to be on his way to Brazilian Serie A club Atlético Paranaense, which was rapidly denied by his management.

In the first week of December 2013, Rubin Kazan showed concrete interest in Ezatolahi by sending an invitation letter.

In 2014, he was named one of the most talented football players according to Wonderkids.

Ezatolahi was enrolled for Malavan's 2014–15 squad, but he did not play any matches due to finalizing his contract with Atlético.

On 27 August 2014, Ezatolahi signed a one-year contract with Spanish side Atlético Madrid, with an option to extend for four-years following the end of the 2014–15 season.

He competed in the 2014–15 División de Honor Juvenil de Fútbol for Atlético Madrid.

He started in a 4–2 league debut win over Alcorcón on 29 November 2014.

He was also added to Atlético's 2014–15 UEFA Youth League squad.

He scored his first goal in a 3–1 victory against UDC Sur.

Ezatolahi became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Iran national football team at the age of 19 years and 42 days after scoring in a 3–1 victory against Turkmenistan on 12 November 2015.

On 14 February 2015, he scored in a 4–1 win over CF Rayo Majadahonda.

Ezatolahi made his UEFA Youth League debut on 10 March 2015 in the quarter-finals, playing the full 90 minutes against Chelsea.

In April 2015, Ezatolahi practiced with the senior Atlético Madrid team with manager Diego Simeone.

On 12 April 2015, Ezatolahi made his debut for Atlético Madrid C in the Tercera Division, playing 30 minutes in a 1–0 loss to Parla.

On 3 May 2015, Ezatolahi assisted a goal in Atlético Madrid C's 1–1 draw against Alcorcón B.

Ezatolahi's good performances with Atlético Madrid C drew interest from La Liga club Getafe CF.

At the end of the 2014–15 season, Ezatolahi chose not to sign with Atlético Madrid B, and on 21 July 2015, Ezatolahi joined international teammate Sardar Azmoun at Russian Premier League club Rostov with a four-year contract.

Due to Visa issues, he could not play for Rostov until 2016, and in January 2016, Ezatolahi's Visa issues were resolved.

He made his debut for the club on 2 February 2016 playing in a 3–0 friendly win against Chinese side Jiangsu Sainty.

Ezatolahi scored his first goal for Rostov on 27 February 2016 in a 2–0 friendly win against Norwegian side Stabæk.

Ezatolahi made his first team debut for Rostov on 12 May 2016 in a 3–1 victory against FC Dynamo Moscow.

On 26 July 2016, Ezatolahi made his first start for Rostov in an official game in the first leg of the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round against R.S.C. Anderlecht and scored a goal in the 16th minute, equalizing the score to 1–1.

In the second half of the game, another shot by him from outside of the box was denied by the crossbar, and the game ended with a score of 2–2.

He is the first scorer of the club in a European match (not counting the UEFA Intertoto Cup) and also the youngest ever Iranian player to score at the Champions League.

He scored his first Russian Premier League goal for Rostov on 20 August 2016 in a 3–0 victory over FC Tom Tomsk.

His contract with FC Rostov expired in 2016.

His agent Mehdi Hagitali said his new team would be a team where he would consistently play.

FC Rostov removed him from their Russian Premier League roster on 31 December 2016.

This record was broken by 17-year-old Allahyar Sayyadmanesh on 6 June 2019.

Ezatolahi's father, Nader, and uncle Ghader Ezatolahi played for Malavan in the Takht Jamshid Cup.