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Profile: Mohammad Ali KARIMI, #8

**Mohammad Ali Karimi Pashaki: The Wizard of Tehran**  


Ali Karimi, the "Wizard of Tehran," burst onto the international football scene with a dazzling debut for Team Melli in a friendly against Kuwait. His electrifying performance that day foreshadowed a stellar year, culminating in a gold-medal-winning goal at the 1998 Asian Games. With mesmerizing dribbles, fearless drives, and audacious skill, the 22-year-old Persepolis striker quickly caught the attention of European giants like Italy’s Perugia and Spain’s Atlético Madrid. Yet, Karimi opted for a move closer to home, joining Al Ahli of Dubai—a decision that would further cement his legacy in Asian football.  


### **Humble Beginnings to Domestic Dominance**   Karimi’s rise was nothing short of remarkable. Before his breakthrough at Persepolis in the 1998-99 season, he honed his craft in the streets of Tehran with a plastic ball while playing for second-division side Fath. His raw talent soon translated into success: he won a domestic double with Persepolis in 1999 and another league title in 2000.  


International glory followed swiftly. His crucial goal in the 1998 Asian Games final secured Iran’s gold medal, announcing his arrival on the continental stage. Despite the heartbreak of missing the 2002 World Cup after a playoff defeat, Karimi’s move to Al Ahli proved transformative. He dominated the UAE League, earning the Best Player award and leading Al Ahli to their first trophy in years—the 2001-02 President’s Cup.  


### **Asian Stardom and European Dreams**   Karimi’s crowning moment came at the 2004 Asian Cup, where his five goals (joint-top scorer) and sublime playmaking propelled Iran to third place. Though controversially denied the tournament MVP award, he was rightfully named **AFC Asian Footballer of the Year**—a ho...[Read more]

Club: Tractorsazi Tabriz


D.O.B: 08.Nov.78


Born: Shahryar


Height: 181 cm


Weight: 79 Kg


International Debut: Kuwait 13.Oct.98


Post: Midfield/Forward



Age:
46


Matchtype filter:
Change player:
Season Openin. Subst. Caps. Goals Yellows Reds
1998 7 2 9 1 0 0
1999 0 0 0 0 0 0
2000 16 5 21 9 4 0
2001 19 0 19 6 2 0
2002 9 0 9 4 1 0
2003 7 0 7 4 2 0
2004 15 2 17 7 1 0
2005 9 0 9 0 1 0
2006 9 0 9 4 0 0
2007 6 0 6 0 0 0
2008 5 0 5 0 1 0
2009 3 0 3 1 1 0
2010 1 0 1 0 0 0
2011 6 0 6 1 1 0
2012 8 1 9 1 1 0
2013 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 120 10 130 38 15 0
By season | In opening squad | Substituted in | Goals | Yellow cards | Red cards


Latest opening squad appearances (max.10)
06.11.2012 Friendly H Tajikistan 6 - 1
11.09.2012 World Cup Qualifier A Lebanon 0 - 1
05.09.2012 Friendly A Jordan 0 - 0
15.08.2012 Friendly N Tunisia 2 - 2
12.06.2012 World Cup Qualifier / Round 4 H Qatar 0 - 0
03.06.2012 World Cup Qualifier A Uzbekistan 1 - 0
29.02.2012 World Cup Qualifier / Round 3 - Group E H Qatar 2 - 2
23.02.2012 Friendly N Jordan 2 - 2
05.10.2011 Friendly H Palestine 7 - 0
06.09.2011 World Cup Qualifier / Round 3 - Group E A Qatar 1 - 1
02.09.2011 World Cup Qualifier / Round 3 - Group E H Indonesia 3 - 0
28.07.2011 World Cup Qualifier A Maldives 1 - 0
23.07.2011 World Cup Qualifier / Preliminary Round H Maldives 4 - 0
17.07.2011 Friendly H Madagascar 1 - 0
03.03.2010 Asian Cup Qualifier H Thailand 1 - 0
17.06.2009 World Cup Qualifier A Korea Rep. 1 - 1
10.06.2009 World Cup Qualifier H UAE 1 - 0
06.06.2009 World Cup Qualifier A Korea DPR 0 - 0
26.03.2008 World Cup Qualifier A Kuwait 2 - 2
21.03.2008 Friendly A Bahrain 0 - 1
06.02.2008 World Cup Qualifier H Syria 0 - 0
30.01.2008 Friendly H Costa Rica 0 - 0
10.01.2008 Friendly A Qatar 0 - 0
22.07.2007 Asian Cup / Quarter Finals N Korea Rep. 0 - 0
18.07.2007 Asian Cup / Group C A Malaysia 2 - 0
15.07.2007 Asian Cup / Group C N China 2 - 2
11.07.2007 Asian Cup / Group C N Uzbekistan 2 - 1
02.07.2007 Friendly H Jamaica 8 - 1
24.03.2007 Friendly / Friendly A Qatar 1 - 0
15.11.2006 Asian Cup Qualifier / ACQ H Korea Rep. 2 - 0
11.10.2006 Asian Cup Qualifier / ACQ A Taiwan 2 - 0
06.10.2006 Others / LG CUP A Jordan 0 - 0
06.09.2006 Asian Cup Qualifier A Syria 2 - 0
02.09.2006 Asian Cup Qualifier / ACQ A Korea Rep. 1 - 1
17.06.2006 FIFA World Cup / Group D N Portugal 0 - 2
11.06.2006 FIFA World Cup / Group D N Mexico 1 - 3
28.05.2006 Friendly A Croatia 2 - 2
01.03.2006 Friendly H Costa Rica 3 - 2
13.11.2005 Friendly H Togo 2 - 0
11.11.2005 Friendly / Tehran Intl. Tournament H Macedonia 1 - 2
12.10.2005 Friendly A Korea Rep. 0 - 2
08.06.2005 World Cup Qualifier / Second Round H Bahrain 1 - 0
03.06.2005 World Cup Qualifier / Second Round H Korea DPR 1 - 0
29.05.2005 Friendly H Azerbaijan 2 - 1
30.03.2005 World Cup Qualifier / Second Round A Korea DPR 2 - 0
25.03.2005 World Cup Qualifier / WCQ H Japan 2 - 1
09.02.2005 World Cup Qualifier A Bahrain 0 - 0
17.11.2004 World Cup Qualifier / WCQ H Laos 7 - 0
13.10.2004 World Cup Qualifier / WCQ A Qatar 3 - 2
09.10.2004 Friendly H Germany 0 - 2
08.09.2004 World Cup Qualifier / WCQ A Jordan 2 - 0
06.08.2004 Asian Cup / 3rd Place N Bahrain 4 - 2
03.08.2004 Asian Cup / Semi Finals A China 1 - 1
31.07.2004 Asian Cup / Quarter Finals N Korea Rep. 4 - 3
28.07.2004 Asian Cup / Group D N Japan 0 - 0
24.07.2004 Asian Cup / Group D N Oman 2 - 2
20.07.2004 Asian Cup / Group D N Thailand 3 - 0
25.06.2004 WAFF / Final H Syria 4 - 1
17.06.2004 WAFF / WAFF H Lebanon 4 - 0
09.06.2004 World Cup Qualifier / WCQ H Jordan 0 - 1
31.03.2004 World Cup Qualifier A Laos 7 - 0
18.02.2004 World Cup Qualifier / WCQ H Qatar 3 - 1
02.12.2003 Friendly A Kuwait 1 - 3
19.11.2003 Asian Cup Qualifier A Lebanon 3 - 0
12.11.2003 Asian Cup Qualifier H Korea DPR 1 - 0
27.10.2003 Asian Cup Qualifier / ACQ A Korea DPR 3 - 1
12.10.2003 Others / AFC/OFC H New Zealand 3 - 0
26.09.2003 Asian Cup Qualifier / ACQ A Jordan 2 - 3
05.09.2003 Asian Cup Qualifier / ACQ H Jordan 4 - 1
05.09.2002 WAFF / Semi Finals N Iraq 0 - 0
03.09.2002 WAFF / Group 1 N Lebanon 2 - 0
30.08.2002 WAFF / Group 1 N Jordan 0 - 1
21.08.2002 Friendly A Ukraine 1 - 0
11.08.2002 Friendly H Azerbaijan 1 - 1
08.04.2002 Others / WAG N Qatar 2 - 1
03.03.2002 Others / LG CUP N Algeria 0 - 0
01.03.2002 Others / LG CUP N Venezuela 1 - 0
06.02.2002 Friendly / Friendly H Slovakia 2 - 3
15.11.2001 World Cup Qualifier / WCQ H Ireland 1 - 0
10.11.2001 World Cup Qualifier / WCQ A Ireland 0 - 2
31.10.2001 World Cup Qualifier / WCQ A UAE 3 - 0
25.10.2001 World Cup Qualifier / WCQ H UAE 1 - 0
19.10.2001 World Cup Qualifier / WCQ A Bahrain 1 - 3
12.10.2001 World Cup Qualifier / WCQ H Iraq 2 - 1
05.10.2001 World Cup Qualifier / WCQ H Thailand 1 - 0
28.09.2001 World Cup Qualifier / WCQ A Saudi Arabia 2 - 2
14.09.2001 World Cup Qualifier / WCQ H Bahrain 0 - 0
07.09.2001 World Cup Qualifier / WCQ A Iraq 2 - 1
24.08.2001 World Cup Qualifier / WCQ H Saudi Arabia 2 - 0
15.08.2001 Friendly A Slovakia 4 - 3
10.08.2001 Others / LG CUP H Bosnia-Herzegovina 4 - 0
08.08.2001 Others / LG CUP H Oman 5 - 2
01.08.2001 Friendly / Friendly A Qatar 1 - 2
22.07.2001 Friendly A Bosnia-Herzegovina 2 - 2
26.04.2001 Others / LG CUP N Canada 0 - 1
24.04.2001 Others / LG CUP N Korea Rep. 0 - 1
19.01.2001 Friendly / Civilizations Cup H China 4 - 0
28.11.2000 World Cup Qualifier / WCQ H Tajikistan 2 - 0
24.11.2000 World Cup Qualifier / WCQ H Guam 19 - 0
12.10.2000 Asian Cup / Group A A Lebanon 4 - 0
01.09.2000 Friendly A Austria 1 - 5
09.06.2000 Others / LG CUP H Macedonia 3 - 1
07.06.2000 Others / LG CUP H Egypt 1 - 1
02.06.2000 WAFF / Final N Syria 1 - 0
30.05.2000 WAFF / Semi Finals A Jordan 1 - 0
28.05.2000 WAFF / Group 1 N Syria 1 - 0
26.05.2000 WAFF / Group 1 N Palestine 1 - 1
24.05.2000 WAFF / Group 1 N Kazakhstan 3 - 0
11.04.2000 Asian Cup Qualifier / Group 2 H Maldives 3 - 0
09.04.2000 Asian Cup Qualifier / Group 2 H Syria 1 - 1
07.04.2000 Asian Cup Qualifier / Group 2 H Bahrain 3 - 0
31.03.2000 Asian Cup Qualifier / Group 2 N Maldives 8 - 0
21.03.2000 Friendly A Cyprus 0 - 0
19.12.1998 Asian Games / Final N Kuwait 2 - 0
16.12.1998 Asian Games / Semi Final N China 1 - 0
14.12.1998 Asian Games / AG N Uzbekistan 4 - 0
12.12.1998 Asian Games / Group K N China 2 - 1
10.12.1998 Asian Games / Group K N Tajikistan 5 - 0
05.12.1998 Asian Games / Group H N Laos 6 - 1
13.10.1998 Friendly / Friendly A Kuwait 0 - 3
 
Latest matches where player has scored one or more goals (max. 10)
23.02.2012 Friendly N Jordan 2 - 2
23.07.2011 World Cup Qualifier / Preliminary Round H Maldives 4 - 0
10.06.2009 World Cup Qualifier H UAE 1 - 0
11.10.2006 Asian Cup Qualifier / ACQ A Taiwan 2 - 0
28.05.2006 Friendly A Croatia 2 - 2
01.03.2006 Friendly H Costa Rica 3 - 2
06.08.2004 Asian Cup / 3rd Place N Bahrain 4 - 2
31.07.2004 Asian Cup / Quarter Finals N Korea Rep. 4 - 3
24.07.2004 Asian Cup / Group D N Oman 2 - 2
25.06.2004 WAFF / Final H Syria 4 - 1
21.06.2004 WAFF / WAFF H Syria 7 - 1
27.10.2003 Asian Cup Qualifier / ACQ A Korea DPR 3 - 1
12.10.2003 Others / AFC/OFC H New Zealand 3 - 0
03.09.2002 WAFF / Group 1 N Lebanon 2 - 0
11.08.2002 Friendly H Azerbaijan 1 - 1
06.02.2002 Friendly / Friendly H Slovakia 2 - 3
12.10.2001 World Cup Qualifier / WCQ H Iraq 2 - 1
07.09.2001 World Cup Qualifier / WCQ A Iraq 2 - 1
15.08.2001 Friendly A Slovakia 4 - 3
10.08.2001 Others / LG CUP H Bosnia-Herzegovina 4 - 0
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