Mohammad Ali Karimi Pashaki retired from professional football on 11 April 2014, concluding an eighteen-year career that spanned leagues in Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Germany. Known as a playmaker, he earned 127 caps for the Iran national team and secured the Asian Footballer of the Year award in 2004.
Early Career and Domestic Success
Karimi began his professional journey with Fath Tehran in 1996. By 1998, he moved to Persepolis, where he contributed to two Iranian league titles and a Hazfi Cup victory. Although he attended a trial with the Italian club Perugia Calcio, the transfer did not proceed due to high fees. Despite interest from Atlético Madrid, Karimi signed with Al-Ahli Dubai in 2001, opting to remain closer to home.
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During his tenure at Al-Ahli, Karimi won two cup titles and was the top goalscorer in the 2003–04 season. Following his stint in the UAE, he joined Bayern Munich in 2005. His tenure in Germany included winning the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal during the 2005–06 season. He became the only Iranian to score in the UEFA Champions League for the club, netting a goal against Rapid Vienna. Over two seasons, he appeared in 42 matches for Bayern before later securing a second German Cup with Schalke 04 under coach Felix Magath.
National Team and Later Playing Years
Karimi debuted for Iran in 1998, eventually appearing in five major tournaments, including the 1998 Asian Games and the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He scored 38 goals for his country. His career concluded after spells with Tractor Sazi and a return to Persepolis, where he won the Hazfi Cup in his final season. In 2015, a poll by the television program Navad recognized him as Iran's most popular football player between 1991 and 2015.
Fast facts
- Born: 8 November 1978, Tehran and Karaj
- Professional debut: 1996, Fath Tehran
- Asian Footballer of the Year: 2004
- Total national team appearances: 127
- Total national team goals: 38
- Last professional game: 11 April 2014
- German domestic titles: 2005–06 Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal
Questions readers ask
What nickname was Ali Karimi often called?
He was frequently referred to as The Magician and the Asian Maradona.
Did Karimi score in the UEFA Champions League?
Yes, he scored once against Rapid Vienna while playing for Bayern Munich.
