One of the stars of Iranian football, Mohammad Ali Karimi , has announced his retirement from football.
This is not the first time that Karimi (35years) has announced his retirement from club or/and National team activities, however Karimi in an emotional letter declared that his decisions this time is final and irreversible.
Ali Karimi Born in Shahryar on 08th November 1978 , became one of the most skilful players of his generation. He came to fame with Persepolis , after recruiting him from Fath club where Karimi started playing regular football. Despite calling Persepolis his home club, Karimi spent most of his professional career outside his beloved team starting in 2001 with Al Ahli of Dubai, Bayern Munich (2005-2007), Qatar FC (2007-2008) , returning to Iran with Persepolis (on Loan) 2008-2009 , Esteel Azin (2009-2011) including a loan period with Schalke 04 in 2011, Persepolis (2011-2013) and finally Tractorsazi in Tabriz (2013-2014).
As famous as his dribbling skills, Karimi was well-known for his temperament. His career was in jeopardy early on when he was suspended from all football activities for one whole year by AFC for kicking a referee in Vietnam is some youth tournament. Karimi’s problems with authorities and coaches continued throughout and reached its peak with his now famous confrontation with Ali Daei.
Many critics believe that Karimi would have been one of the best in the world if he had the right temperament and balanced approach to the game.
After finishing the season with Tractorsazi in a disappointing fashion, Ali Karimi was hoping for a recall to Team Melli, that he already announced his retirement from. However, despite Carlos Querioz talking highly about his skills and calling him one of the best footballers, the Team Melli coach elected to ignore Karimi for the World Cup although the Tractorsazi midfielder played several games in the qualifying rounds of the 2014 World Cup to help the team.
With Karimi being out of contract with Tractorsazi , and the Tabriz team not showing clear interest in signing him for another term , Karimi looked for a suitable club and found none to his interest. Going back to Persepolis was very much out of question, not with Ali Daei at the helm. Between the disappointment of missing on the World Cup, not being able to return to Persepolis and not getting the attention of other clubs that Karimi thinks he still deserves, the “Wizard of Tehran” has finally announced his retirement.
Ali Karimi has played 128 times for Team Melli , scoring 38 goals. He is a holder of Asian Games Gold medal in 1998, was part of the World Cup 2006 squad and played in there AFC Asian Cups, 2000, 2004 and 2007. On personal level, he won the AFC player of the year award in 2004.
Karimi is the third highest Team Melli player in international appearances, after Daei (149) and Nekounam (146) . Ali Karimi is also the third highest goal scorer after Daei’s World Record 109 goals and Bagheri’s 50 goals.
Karimi will leave a legacy that is difficult to repeat in the near future.