Biography
Who is Ali Karimi?
Early life and career beginnings
Ali Karimi was born in Karaj, Iran, on November 8, 1978. He started his professional path in the sport with the second-division team Fath Tehran in 1997. His early training sessions were especially conducted on the streets using a plastic ball, which helped develop his technical skills. He made his first-team debut for the club at the age of 18.
In 1998, he joined the prominent club Persepolis. During his time there, he helped the team win the Iranian league twice and the Hazfi Cup once. His skill on the ball and dribbling abilities quickly earned him the nickname The Magician among his supporters. He remained with the club for three seasons before seeking opportunities abroad.
International and club career highlights
In July 2001, Ali signed a two-year deal with Al-Ahli Dubai in the UAE Pro League. He was highly successful there, earning the title of top goalscorer for the 2003-04 season. His performance in the UAE caught the attention of European scouts, leading to his move to the Bundesliga. He signed with Bayern Munich in 2005, becoming the third Iranian player to play for the German club.
While playing for Bayern Munich, he contributed to winning both the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal during the 2005-06 season. He played 42 games across all competitions for the German side before eventually returning to the Middle East. Later in his career, he played for clubs including Qatar SC, Steel Azin, and Tractor Sazi, where he secured another Hazfi Cup title in his final season.
Playing for the Iran national team
Ali made his debut for the Iran national football team on October 13, 1998, at the age of 19. Over the course of his international career, he made 127 appearances and scored 38 goals. He represented his country in several major competitions, including the 1998 Asian Games, the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and various editions of the Asian Cup.
His influence on the pitch was significant, leading many observers to refer to him as the Asian Maradona. In 2004, he received the Asian Footballer of the Year award and was recognized as the best scorer of the AFC Asian Cup. In 2017, the Asian Football Confederation named him one of the true icons of Asian football history.
Personal life and retirement
Beyond his active playing days, he is recognized for his philanthropic efforts. He ended his professional playing career after the 2013-14 season, playing his final match on April 11, 2014. Since retiring from competitive play, he has transitioned into the role of an association football coach. He has one brother named Farshid Karimi.
Standing 178 centimeters tall, he maintained a high profile in his home country throughout his career. In a 2015 poll conducted by the television program Navad, he was voted as the most popular football player in Iran for the period spanning 1991 to 2015. He remains a well-known figure in the history of Iranian sports.
Birthday and age
Ali Karimi was born on November 8, 1978, which makes Ali 48 years old today. That birthday falls under the Scorpio sign. Ali shares the date with 46 other famous people.
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