Seyed Mehdi Rahmati, Team Melli’s goalkeeper has surprisingly announced that he will not be available for selection for Team Melli in the time being. In an unexpected move, Esteghlal’s goalkeeper who has been a fix choice for Carlos Queiroz and 3 times winner of Persian Gulf League tittles with Esteghlal and Sepahan, refrained from mentioning the reason behind his decision.

The 29 years old goalkeeper has been a target of much criticism lately and is believed to have been despondent by the negative comments especially after the recent two defeats by Lebanon and Uzbekistan in the FIFA World Cup 2014 qualification matches.

Despite the criticism , Mehdi Rahmati remain the top goalkeeper in Iran and his post in Team Melli never seemed to be in threat by any other keeper. Rahmati , however , was given a rest for the recent WAFF championship in Kuwait , along with many other fixed players. Iran failed to qualify for the next round for the first time in its history in Rahmati’s absence.

Rahmati who has 76 matches under his belt , made his debut for Team Melli in June 2004 against Lebanon while playing for Fajr Sepasi of Shiraz.