Soroush Rafiei () is an Iranian professional footballer.
Club career
Fajr Sepasi He started his career with Fajr Sepasi and helped them to promote to the 2011–12 Persian Gulf Cup.
Foolad Rafiei, 28, was a member of Foolad football team from 2011 to 2017 and helped the Ahvaz-based football team win Iran Professional League (IPL) title in 2014.
Tractor In the summer of 2015 Rafiei signed a two–year contract with Tractor to spend his conscription period at the club. In 2016, Rafiei has been linked with a move to Greek professional football club, AEK Athens in the next transfer window. Also, Persian giants Persepolis and Esteghlal Tehran showed interest in him.
Persepolis
On 9 January 2017, Rafiei signed a 6-month contract with Persian Gulf Pro League club Persepolis. He was given the number 7, which had previously been retired in honor of club legend Ali Parvin. He scored a goal against Esteghlal in 84th Tehran Derby. Rafiee returned to Persepolis for 2018–19 but due to fifa ban, he loaned to Foolad till winter.
Al-Khor Before June 2017, news and rumours linked Rafiei with a move to Al Sadd. But before start of 2017–18 season, Rafiee joined the Qatari Al-Khor football team for one year, and wore number 7 in the team. At the end of the season, Al-Khor picked up an alternate player for Rafiei and did not renew his contract with the club. He considered playing in Iran's football league more difficult than playing in Qatar.
Return to Persepolis On 8 July 2018, Rafiei joined Persepolis on a new 18-month deal.
Return to Foolad On 24 July 2018, Rafiei joined Foolad on a new 6-month deal.
Shahr Khodro In August 2019, Rafiei joined Shahr Khodro on a two-year deal.
Sepahan
On 13 January 2020, Rafiei joined Sepahan S.C. on a 18-month deal. In Sepahan, he played a key role in the middle of the field. He had a high number of assists for Sepahan.
Return to Persepolis On 15 June 2022, Rafiei joined Persian Gulf Pro League side Persepolis on a new two-year deal. This was his third contract with Persepolis.
Career statistics Club
ClubDivisionSeasonLeagueHazfi CupAsiaSuper CupTotal Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps GoalsFajr SepasiPro League2009–101010——205Azadegan League2010–112200——205Total3210——42FooladPro League2011–1219111——2022012–1316100——1612013–142930080—3732014–151571010—1772018–195000——50Total84122090—9512Tractor (loan)Pro League2015–162542070—3442016–1714130–—171Total3955070—515PersepolisPro League2016–171430071—2142018–191213050—2012022–2325150——3012023–242701060—3402024–252721070103522025–2621310——223Total126101102511016311Al-KhorQSL2017–1819500——195Total19500——195Shahr KhodroPro League20191402000—160Total1402000—160SepahanPro League20201121061—1832020–2127230——3022021–222322061—313Total61660122—798Career total346402705331042743
International career
He was called up to the Iran national football team in October 2014 by Carlos Queiroz. He made his debut in a match against South Korea on 18 November 2014. He was called into Iran's 2015 AFC Asian Cup squad on 30 December 2014 by Carlos Queiroz. In May 2018 he was named in Iran's preliminary squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia but did not make the final 23.
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsIran201410201530Total40
Style of play
Rafiei is a technical playmaker. In Iranian sports media, he has been mentioned as "a midfielder who dribbles as cool as ever and his playing is just enough".
Argentinian manager and former player, Gabriel Calderón criticized his style of play due to "lack of speed" in his game plan.
Personal life Rafiei was born in Shiraz, Iran and started playing football in his hometown. He has announced that he has been a fan of Persepolis since he was a child.
On 3 February 2026, Rafiei responded to a comedic sketch on IRIB Ofogh mocking dead demonstrators of the 2025–2026 Iranian protests, saying: "I wish some IRIB presenters would become mute and not rub salt in people's wounds in this situation." On 9 February he publicly objected to being included on a list of supporters of the 1979 Islamic Revolution by the Ministry of Sport and Youth, ahead of the Revolution's anniversary.
Honours Foolad Persian Gulf Pro League (1): 2013–14 Persepolis Persian Gulf Pro League (4): 2016–17, 2018–19, 2022–23, 2023–24 Hazfi Cup (2): 2018–19, 2022–23 Iranian Super Cup (2): 2019, 2023
Individual Persian Gulf Pro League Team of the Year (3) : 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016-17
References
External links
Soroush Rafiei at PersianLeague.com