Tag: Mohammad Ali Karimi

Minutes Played Reveals Iran’s True Iron Men

The record books show Javad Nekounam stands alone with 157 caps for Team Melli, surpassing the iconic Ali Daei. However, this metric only tells part of the story. When total minutes on the pitch are calculated, a different legend emerges: Ali Daei remains the untouchable pinnacle of Iranian football endurance, ruling supreme over all players, past and present.

The table below ranks the top 25 Iranian footballers by total minutes played, revealing a fascinating narrative of longevity across generations.

A testament to his extraordinary legacy, Parviz Ghalenoei’s name still appears on this list a half-century later, holding the 22nd position. Now 78 and in exile, Ghalenoei was just 18 years old when he made his debut in a historic match against East Germany at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. His international career was abruptly cut short in 1977 due to his anti-government political activities, yet his impact remains etched in the record books.

He is joined from that era by the revered Ali Parvin, who occupies the 19th spot. Parvin completes a unique trifecta in Iranian football history, having served Team Melli with distinction as a player, captain, and later as a coach.

What makes their achievements truly staggering is the context of their era. With far fewer international matches played in the last century, the high minute totals of Ghalenoei and Parvin underscore their immense consistency and indispensable role in the team, cementing their status as household names decades later.

From the current generation, only three active players have cracked this exclusive list: Mehdi Taremi, Sardar Azmoun, and Saeid Ezatolahi. With many playing years likely ahead of them, their ascent up the rankings seems inevitable. However, closing the gap on the monumental total set by Ali Daei remains a truly daunting task, a challenge that defines the ultimate test of longevity in Iranian football.

RankNameMinutesStarterSubCaps
1Ali DAEI13,0661456151
2Javad NEKOUNAM12,65614413157
3Ali KARIMI10,20212010130
4Ehsan HAJSAFI9,89911823141
5Jalal HOSSEINI9,6191077114
6Mehdi MAHDAVIKIA9,1541074111
7Andranik TEYMOURIAN7,8489011101
8Karim BAGHERI7,29384387
9Hossein KAEBI7,24884892
10Mehdi TAREMI7,152841599
11Javad ZARINCHEH6,96080181
12Ebrahim MIRZAPOUR6,82479079
13Alireza BEIRANVAND6,81681081
14Mehdi RAHMATI6,68174276
15Yahya GOLMOHAMMADI6,63180282
16Ahmadreza ABEDZADEH6,59674377
17Mohammad NOSRATI6,56174983
18Sardar AZMOUN6,453771491
19Ali PARVIN6,18968472
20Hamidreza ESTILI6,16572981
21Afshin PEYROVANI6,00066268
22Parviz GHLEECHKHANI5,90667067
23Hadi AGHILI5,77166369
24Saeid EZATOLAHI5,662661278
25Alireza VAHEDI-NIKBAKHT5,610661076

Iran ‘tried to kidnap 127-cap international legend Ali Karimi after issuing arrest warrant for criticizing regime’

IRAN tried to kidnap a former national football team captain for criticising the regime, according to his friend.

Ex-skipper Ali Karimi made 127 appearances for his country between 1998 and 2012, including at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Ali Karimi is at the centre of a kidnap attempt by the Iranian regime

Ali Karimi is at the centre of a kidnap attempt by the Iranian regimeCredit: AFP

However, he is now said to be living in exile in the UAE and at the centre of a social media, ploy to lure him back to his homeland because of his support for recent protests. Karimi, 43, went public with comments following the shocking arrest and death in custody three days later of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in September for wearing her hijab incorrectly.

As reported by The Times, that resulted in an arrest warrant, accusing Karimi of “collusion with the intention of acting against national security”.

And now pal Mehdi Rostampour has detailed how an elaborate plan to capture the former Bayern Munich playmaker was devised.

In a lengthy social media post, Rostampour described how a “celebrity” (alleged to be Mehran Modiri) with alleged links to the regime wanted to follow Karimi’s lead and leave the country, requesting to meet in Fujairah, UAE. The message was sent to Karimi via another footballer he knew – but the sporting icon grew suspicious. Rostampour said: “Karimi was not keen on meeting him in any case.

“But just before the set time, he received a text from a friend saying, ‘Fujairah is a trap’.

“Who was the sender? Someone from within the intelligence ministry!”

Rostampour alleged the plan – conjured up by Iran’s intelligence ministry – was to force Karimi onto a boat, ship him back to Iran and strongarm him into making a false confession on state TV.

Around 200 people have died at the hands of security authorities while many of the crowds have chanted Karimi’s name. It is thought Iran wants to silence Karimi as a powerful voice of opposition – and he has reportedly had his passport confiscated yet still managed to fly to the UAE. Rostampour concluded: “Fortunately Ali Karimi is in good hands and safe. He has committed no crime other than standing by his people.”

people.”

All my pain and sorrow is the safety of the people in Iran

Ali Karimi

Karimi said on Monday: “I thank my countrymen who are worried about my humble self. “I and my family have been threatened and are threatened in various ways. But I am not important. “I still mourn my countrymen across Iran and all my pain and sorrow is the safety of the people in my homeland.”

There are growing calls for Fifa to banish Iran from the World Cup due to the oppressive regime and human rights record as well as the government supplying drones to Russia in their illegal invasion of Ukraine.