Tabatabaei debuted for
Iran versus the
Maldives on June 11, 1997, Tabatabaei was a member for
Iran national football team between 1997 and 2000, but after the injury right before the
Asian Cup 2000 he was never called up for national team again. His most memorable games for the
national team was a friendly match versus
Denmark on October 10, 1999, in
Copenhagen. Following that performance Iranian newspapers dubbed him the
Lion of Copenhagen. ==References==