Omid Ravankhah (, born April 13, 1987) is a retired Iranian football player and now coach. He played as a midfielder when he was a football player.
Career Ravankhah joined Esteghlal in 2007. He has scored several key goals for Esteghlal, including two goals against classical rivals Persepolis F.C. so he got named as "امید رفت و برگشت" which translates to 'home and away Omid.' In the first game of the 2008/2009 season he received a serious injury putting him out for several months. Ravankhah played for Esteghlal in the AFC Champions League group stage, appearing against Al-Ittihad on 11 March 2009. He officially announced his retirement on 12 May 2013 at the age of 25, because of his serious old injury.
Personal life On 11 January 2026, Ravankhah publicly supported the 2025–2026 Iranian protests, stating: "It is my social duty to be with my people in these circumstances, and no matter how much it may cost me, I hope their voices are heard."https://www.iranintl.com/202601135325 On 16 January, it is alleged that Ravankhah made a forced confession to the regime-aligned Mehr News Agency claiming his words were exploited by the "enemies of Iran".https://iranwire.com/en/news/147709-forced-confession-of-omid-ravankhah-the-enemy-exploited-my-words/ On 19 January, he was detained and interrogated for an hour at Imam Khomeini International Airport upon returning to Iran from Dubai and had his passport confiscated, after which, he was allowed to leave the airport; he was asked to report to a security agency the next day.https://www.iranintl.com/202601199988 Ravankhah was fired as head coach of the national under-23 football team for supporting the protests on 16 February.https://www.iranintl.com/202602164491
Career statistics
Club performance League Cup Continental Total Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Iran League Hazfi Cup Asia Total2004–05 Fajr Pro League 130--2005–06251--2006–07201--2007–08 Esteghlal316--2008–095005002009–10810000812010–11702000902011–12 Saipa2000--20 Career total111950
Assist Goals SeasonTeamAssists05–06Fajr106–07Fajr107–08Esteghlal110–11Esteghlal011–12Saipa0
Honours Iran's Premier Football League Winner: 1 2008–09 with Esteghlal Runner up: 1 2010–11 with Esteghlal Hazfi Cup Winner:1 2007–08 with Esteghlal
References