Ex Team Melli player and current Tractorsazi Tabriz player , expressed his interest in playing in what would be his second World Cup after his initial appearance in World Cup 2006. Ali Karimi , who was injured and off football for a few weeks, is still considered an influential player in his club, but was ignored by Carlos Queiroz after he decided to quit football altogether at the end of last season.

Karimi’s decision to quit football was as the result of losing the Hazfi Cup Final to Sepahan at the end of last season, however he soon changed his mind but neither his club Perspolis nor Team Melli showed any interest in his services. Karimi eventually turned up at Tractorsazi and showed glimpses of his brilliances and wizardry, although not consistently. The Tabriz team temporarily claimed top spot in the Persian League  table before Karami’s previous club Perspolis replaced them at the top.

 Asked by a reporter of his aspiration with team Melli in Brazil, Karimi responded “If there is a chance , God willing , I like to serve my country and play in the World Cup. Players’ selection should be based on  skills, abilities and standards, their current forms , the number of appearances with their clubs and their track record. These are the standards that the national teams across the world are using for their selection. If that criterion is applied here, then I think I stand a chance and hope through my display and effort with my club, I make the squad. However , if there are other things behind the scenes  that I am not aware of or hidden from the public,  then I am not interested.”

Karimi continued his sarcastic tone when he said “I wish success for Team Melli but I sincerely hope that our players do not fight amongst themselves at the end of the match against Argentina trying for Messi’s shirt”

With such a statement, it is highly unlikely that the 35 year old midfielder will endear himself to the Team Melli selectors and find a place in next year’s World Cup squad.