Rouzbeh Cheshmi

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Rouzbeh Cheshmi

| fullname = Rouzbeh Cheshmi{{cite web |url=https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce44/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf |title=FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Squad list: IR Iran (IRN) |publisher=FIFA |page=15 |date=15 November 2022 |access-date=15 November 2022}}

| image = File:Esteghlal Celebrate IPL Title Win at Azadi Stadium - 106.jpg

| caption = Cheshmi with Esteghlal in 2022

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|7|24|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Tehran, Iran

| height = 1.92 m

| currentclub = Esteghlal

| clubnumber = 4

| position = Defensive midfielder, centre-back

| youthyears1 = 2005–2008

| youthclubs1 = Paykan

| youthyears2 = 2008–2013

| youthclubs2 = Persepolis

| youthyears3 = 2011–2013

| youthclubs3 = → Moghavemat Tehran (loan)

| years1 = 2013–2015

| clubs1 = Saba Qom

| caps1 = 49

| goals1 = 1

| years2 = 2015–2020

| clubs2 = Esteghlal

| caps2 = 89

| goals2 = 4

| years3 = 2020–2021

| clubs3 = Umm Salal

| caps3 = 18

| goals3 = 1

| years4 = 2021–

| clubs4 = Esteghlal

| caps4 = 94

| goals4 = 4

| nationalyears1 = 2008–2011

| nationalteam1 = Iran U17

| nationalcaps1 = 15

| nationalgoals1 = 1

| nationalyears2 = 2011–2012

| nationalteam2 = Iran U20

| nationalcaps2 = 16

| nationalgoals2 = 2

| nationalyears3 = 2014–2016

| nationalteam3 = Iran U23

| nationalcaps3 = 12

| nationalgoals3 = 2

| nationalyears4 = 2017–

| nationalteam4 = Iran

| nationalcaps4 = 37

| nationalgoals4 = 3

| pcupdate = 15 May 2025

| ntupdate = 5 June 2025

| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{fb|IRN}}}}

}}

Rouzbeh Cheshmi ({{langx|fa|روزبه چشمی}}; born 24 June 1993) is an Iranian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or a centre-back for Esteghlal FC in the Persian Gulf League League and the Iran national football team.[http://www.varzesh3.com/news.do?itemid=976708&title= دعوت 27 بازيکن به اردوي تيم فوتبال جوانان] {{in lang|fa}}

Early life

Cheshmi was born in Tehran to a family originally from Chesham in Sabzevar.{{cite news|url=http://persianv.com/maharat/روزبه-چشمی-،-پدیده-ای-تازه-در-فوتبال-،-ا.html|title=روزبه چشمی، پدیده‌ای تازه در فوتبال، از زندگی شخصی و کاری اش می‌گوید|newspaper=مهارت های زندگی |date=30 December 2015 |trans-title=Rouzbeh Cheshmi talks about his personal life|language=fa}}

Club career

=Early career=

Cheshmi began his career with Paykan, before moving to Persepolis in 2008. In 2011, he was loaned to Moghavemat Tehran to complete his mandatory military service.{{cite web|url=https://www.tarafdari.com/خبر/404885/چشمی-الگویم-پوگباست؛-بخاطر-استقلال-قید-بوندسلیگا-را-زدم|title=چشمی: الگویم پوگباست؛ بخاطر استقلال قید بوندسلیگا را زدم|date=22 October 2015 |trans-title=Cheshmi: Pogba is my idol; Gave up playing in Bundesliga to play for Esteghlal|language=fa}} In 2013, Cheshmi handed a transfer request after Ali Daei asked him to have a trial with Persepolis' senior team and moved to Saba Qom. In his first season with Saba, Cheshmi made 25 appearances and scored one goal.

=Esteghlal=

Cheshmi signed a two-year deal with Esteghlal on 30 June 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.tarafdari.com/خبر/350655/روزبه-چشمی-رسما-به-آبی-پوشان-پیوست-عکس|title=روزبه چشمی رسما به آبی پوشان پیوست (عکس)|trans-title=Rouzbeh Cheshmi officially joined the blues|language=fa}} He later revealed that he down offers from a Bundesliga club to join Esteghlal. Upon his arrival, he chose to wear number 4 which was previously worn by Amir Hossein Sadeghi.{{cite web|url=https://www.tarafdari.com/خبر/359961/چشمی-از-حضور-در-استقلال-خوشحالم؛-شماره-چهار-را-می-پوشم|title=چشمی: از حضور در استقلال خوشحالم؛ شماره چهار را می پوشم|date=15 July 2015 |trans-title=Cheshmi: Happy to join Esteghlal; I will wear number four|language=fa}}

File:Rozbeh Cheshmi vs Pars.jpg in 2017.]]

Cheshmi made his debut for Esteghlal on 30 July 2015 against Siah Jamegan.{{cite web|url=https://www.tarafdari.com/خبر/367762/سیاه-جامگان-مشهد-1-2-استقلال-تهران؛-افتتاحیه-سه-امتیازی-آبی-ها|title=سیاه جامگان مشهد 1 - 2 استقلال تهران؛ افتتاحیه سه امتیازی آبی ها|date=30 July 2015 |language=fa}} On 3 March 2015, he torn his Cruciate ligament in a match against Padideh which caused him to miss the rest of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.tarafdari.com/خبر/453518/رسمی؛-روزبه-چشمی-رباط-صلیبی-پاره-کرد|title=رسمی؛ روزبه چشمی رباط صلیبی پاره کرد|date=11 March 2016 |trans-title= official; Cheshmi torn his Cruciate ligament|language=fa}} It was also reported that he will miss the first half of 2016–17 season and the team coach Alireza Mansourian decided to exclude his name from Esteghlal's list for the first half of the season and was reported that he would return to the squad in January.{{cite web|url=http://11news.ir/fa/news/4823/خارج-شدن-روزبه-چشمی-از-لیست-استقلال|title=خارج شدن روزبه چشمی از لیست استقلال!|language=fa}} On 29 June 2016, he signed a 3-year contract extension with Esteghlal.{{cite web|url=https://www.tarafdari.com/خبر/504992/چشمی-سه-فصل-دیگر-با-استقلال-تمدید-کرد|title=چشمی سه فصل دیگر با استقلال تمدید کرد|date=29 June 2016 |trans-title=Cheshmi extended his contract for another 3 years|language=fa}} He returned to training on 30 December 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.varzesh3.com/news/1383637/بازگشت-چشمی-به-تمرین-استقلال|title=بازگشت چشمی به تمرین استقلال|trans-title=Cheshmi's return to training|publisher=Varzesh3|language=fa|date= 30 December 2016|access-date= 21 March 2018}} However, due to the club's transfer ban which did not allow it to register any new players, Esteghlal could not include his name in their squad for the rest of season and meant that he would not be able to play for Esteghlal until the end of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.tarafdari.com/خبر/634722/استقلال-به-یک-شرط-می%E2%80%8Cتواند-3-بازیکن-آزاد-جذب-کند؛-چشمی-هم-قادر-به-ثبت-قرارداد-با-استقلال|title=استقلال به یک شرط می‌تواند 3 بازیکن آزاد جذب کند؛ چشمی هم قادر به ثبت قرارداد با استقلال نیست|publisher=Tarafdari|language=fa|access-date=21 March 2018}}

Cheshmi scored his first goal for the club against Zob Ahan in a 1–1 draw on 20 September 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.tarafdari.com/خبر/803608/استقلال-1-1-ذوب-آهن؛-تساوی-با-طعم-شکست-برای-منصوریان|title=استقلال 1-1 ذوب آهن؛ تساوی با طعم شکست برای منصوریان|trans-title=Esteghlal 1–1 Zob Ahan|language=fa|date=20 September 2017|access-date=19 November 2017}} On 13 February 2018, Cheshmi made his AFC Champions League debut in a 2–2 group stage draw with Qatari club Al-Rayyan.{{cite web|url=http://www.varzesh3.com/news/1504890/اولین-تجربه-آسیایی-چشمی-و-شجاعیان-برابر-الریان|title=اولین تجربه آسیایی چشمی و شجاعیان برابر الریان|trans-title=First Asian experience for Cheshmi and Shojaeian|publisher=Varzesh3|language=fa|date=13 February 2018|access-date=14 February 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.varzesh3.com/news/1504921/گزارش-بازی-الریان-و-استقلال-تاریخ-1396-11-24|title=الریان 2 - استقلال 2؛ برد از دستمان پر زد|trans-title=Al-Rayyan 2 - Esteghlal 2|publisher=Varzesh3|language=fa|date=13 February 2018|access-date=14 February 2018}}

International career

=U17=

He played 3 games at the 2010 Asian U16 Championships.

=U20=

He is part of Iran U–20 during 2012 AFC U-19 Championship qualification, 2012 CIS Cup, 2012 AFF U-19 Youth Championship and 2012 AFC U-19 Championship.

=U23=

He invited to Iran U-23 training camp by Nelo Vingada{{Cite web|url=http://isport.ir/fa/content/47518/%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA-%DB%B3%DB%B1-%D9%86%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%87-%D9%88%DB%8C%D9%86%DA%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AA%DB%8C%D9%85-%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%AF|title = لیست ۳۱ نفره وینگادا برای تیم ملی امید}} to preparation for Incheon 2014 and 2016 AFC U-22 Championship (Summer Olympic qualification). He named in Iran U23 final list for Incheon 2014.{{cite web|url=http://ffiri.ir/news/detail/%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C%DA%A9%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%AA%DB%8C%D9%85-%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%DA%86%D8%A6%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%AE%D8%B5-%D8%B4%D8%AF/117027/news.aspx|title=بازیکنان اعزامی تیم ملی امید به اینچئون مشخص شد|publisher=ffiri.ir|access-date=12 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819231500/http://ffiri.ir/news/detail/%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C%DA%A9%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%AA%DB%8C%D9%85-%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%DA%86%D8%A6%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%AE%D8%B5-%D8%B4%D8%AF/117027/news.aspx|archive-date=19 August 2014|url-status=dead}}

=Senior=

File:2018 FIFA World Cup Group B march IRN-MAR 25.jpg in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.]]

Cheshmi was called up for the first time for the Iran senior team in August 2017 by coach Carlos Queiroz for Iran's 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Korea and Syria.{{cite web|url=http://www.varzesh3.com/news/1457050/اعلام-اسامی-بازیکنان-تیم-ملی-برای-دیدار-با-کره-و-سوریه|title=اعلام اسامی بازیکنان تیم ملی برای دیدار با کره و سوریه|language=fa}} He made his official debut as a substitute in 0–0 draw against South Korea on 31 August 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.tarafdari.com/خبر/787476/کره-جنوبی-0-0-ایران؛-یوزها-همچنان-حریفی-در-آسیا-ندارند|title=کره جنوبی 0-0 ایران؛ یوزها همچنان حریفی در آسیا ندارند|trans-title=South Korea 0–0 Iran; Cheetas have no competitor in Asia|language=fa|date=31 August 2017|access-date=10 November 2017}}

In May 2018, Cheshmi was named in Iran's preliminary squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.{{cite web|title= World Cup 2018: All the confirmed squads for this summer's finals in Russia|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/440833652018}} {{Dead link|date=June 2018}} He made his debut in the competition on 15 June, playing the whole 90 minutes of the 1–0 group stage win against Morocco, helping his team to win their first World Cup match since 1998.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44408322|title= Iran won their first match at a World Cup finals since 1998 as Morocco substitute Aziz Bouhaddouz scored an own goal in injury time.|work=BBC Sport|date=15 June 2018|access-date=16 June 2018}} After helping Iran to keep a clean sheet in their opening win over Morocco, the World Cup turned out to be a personal disappointment for him, as he suffered an injury during training session prior the game against the Spain, which ruled him out of the competition.{{Cite web|url = https://en.mehrnews.com/news/134909/Iran-s-Cheshmi-misses-2018-World-Cup|title = Iran's Cheshmi misses 2018 World Cup|date = 18 June 2018|access-date = 19 June 2018|publisher = MNA}}

Cheshmi was also selected for 2019 AFC Asian Cup.{{cite web|url=http://www.ffiri.ir/en/news/detail/-FINAL-REGISTRATION-CALL-UP-LIST/186009/news.aspx|title=FINAL REGISTRATION CALL UP LIST|publisher=FFIRI|date=26 December 2018|access-date=27 December 2018}}

He was in the initial lineup during the match of the 2022 Qatar World Cup against England. He scored the winning goal in the match against Wales in injury time, before Ramin Rezaeian doubled the lead minutes later, thus giving Iran their first victory against a European team at the World Cup.

Career statistics

=Club=

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Division !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="2"\|League !colspan="2"\|Hazfi Cup !colspan="2"\|Asia !colspan="2"\|other !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="3"\|Saba \|rowspan="2"\|Persian Gulf Pro League \|2013–14 \| 25	1	1	0	0	1	colspan="2"\|—	26	1
2014–15 \| 24	0	1	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	25	0
colspan="2"\|Total !49	1	2	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	51	1
rowspan="6"\|Esteghlal \|rowspan="5"\|Persian Gulf Pro League \|2015–16 \| 22	0	4	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	26	0
2016–17 \| 0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2017–18 \|26	3	5	0	9	0	0	0	40	3
2018–19 \|19	0	2	0	4	1	0	0	25	1
2019–20 \|22	1	3	0	6	0	0	0	31	1
colspan="2"\|Total !89	4	14	0	19	1	0	0	122	5
Umm Salal \|Qatar Stars League \|2020–21 \|18	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	20	1
rowspan="5"\|Esteghlal \|rowspan="4"\|Persian Gulf Pro League \|2021–22 \|19	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	22	0
2022–23 \|27	2	5	0	0	0	1	0	33	2
2023–24 \|28	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	29	2
2024-25 \|20	0	5	1	8	0	0	0	33	1
colspan="2" \| Total !94	4	14	1	8	0	1	0	117	5
colspan="3" \|Career Total ! 250	10	32	1	27	1	1	0	310	12

=International=

{{updated| 5 June 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/rouzbeh-cheshmi/303328/|title=Iran – R. CHESHMI – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway|website=ca.soccerway.com}}

National team	Year	Apps
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
rowspan="8" \|Iran
2017	5	0
2018	10	1
2019	3	0
2022	3	1
2023	8	0
2024	6	1
2025	2	0
colspan=2\|Total	37	3

=International goals=

:Scores and results list Iran's goal tally first.

class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;" ! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
1.	19 May 2018	Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran	{{fb\|UZB}}	{{center\|1–0}}	{{center\|1–0}}	Friendly
2.	25 November 2022	Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar	{{fb\|WAL}}	{{center\|1–0}}	{{center\|2–0}}	2022 FIFA World Cup
3.	9 January 2024	Al Rayyan Training, Al Rayyan, Qatar	{{fb\|IDN}}	{{center\|2–0}}	{{center\|5–0}}	Friendly

Honours

Esteghlal

Iran

CAFA Nations Cup: 2023

=Individuals=

AFC Champions League All-Star Squad: 2018{{cite web |url=https://assets.the-afc.com/migration/a/f/afc-champions-league-2018-technical-report |title=AFC Champions League 2018 Technical Report |publisher=AFC |access-date=2022-05-12}}