The plight of Ali Karimi

[maij]

The news about Ali Karimi is quite disturbing nowadays. Rejected by Al Ahli of Jeddeh (one of the richest clubs in Asia) and as it seems that his current club Qatar FC has lost interest in him after the arrival of a the new coach, plus the fact that he is nowhere near Team Melli , makes up a precarious situation for this highly skillful player.

Ali Karimi seems to have lost his way somehow, whether he is a victim of circumstances or a victim of bad career decision making is still not entirely clear. I spoke to him at length in Kuala Lumpur during Asian Cup 2007 and diplomatically questioned him if he really wants to play in Qatar league with a second rate club , he seemed to be confident that he will like it there and will succeed. I doubted it, but kept my feelings to myself.

Neither Doha is like Dubai to live in , nor is the Qatari league in the standard of the UAE league that he has made his name in. In the TV interview that Dubai sport conducted with him and I acted as the interpreter, he was asked several times why he does not want to go back to Al Ahli despite his popularity there and the clubs interest to re-sign him, Karimi kept avoiding a direct answer (while privately telling me it was a contract issue) by only saying that one day he hopes to return to Dubai.

Perhaps this is the right time for him to go back to UAE, where he seems to be at ease and psychologically comfortable.

Team Melli needs the skills and experience of Ali Karimi, players like him are not born every day and despite some shortcomings, he is still a star and a capable player.

Ali Karimi needs to re-think his strategy and perhaps his attitude. He needs some soul searching and some self criticism to find out where he has gone wrong. It cannot be that everyone is wrong but him. At the age of 29, he has still a few years of good football left in him, and such age one expects better wisdom from the star. After the debacle with Team Melli that resulted in his theoretical suspension, he is still out of favor and out of the squad. Whether the reason is form or even personal differences, Karimi needs to reconsider where he stands else one of the superstars of Iran’s football will remain in the oblivion.

He needs to know that people will not beg him to play for Team Melli, and no respectable coach will accept him at any conditions. He needs to stand up and answer his critics by performance and prove that he is capable player and with consistency. This is the only way that Karimi will regain respect and popularity while he can give the Team Melli selectors no choice but to recall him.

[Ali Chicago]

The news about Ali Karimi is quite disturbing nowadays. Rejected by Al Ahli of Jeddeh (one of the richest clubs in Asia) and as it seems that his current club Qatar FC has lost interest in him after the arrival of a the new coach, plus the fact that he is nowhere near Team Melli , makes up a precarious situation for this highly skillful player.

Ali Karimi seems to have lost his way somehow, whether he is a victim of circumstances or a victim of bad career decision making is still not entirely clear. I spoke to him at length in Kuala Lumpur during Asian Cup 2007 and diplomatically questioned him if he really wants to play in Qatar league with a second rate club , he seemed to be confident that he will like it there and will succeed. I doubted it, but kept my feelings to myself.

Neither Doha is like Dubai to live in , nor is the Qatari league in the standard of the UAE league that he has made his name in. In the TV interview that Dubai sport conducted with him and I acted as the interpreter, he was asked several times why he does not want to go back to Al Ahli despite his popularity there and the clubs interest to re-sign him, Karimi kept avoiding a direct answer (while privately telling me it was a contract issue) by only saying that one day he hopes to return to Dubai.

Perhaps this is the right time for him to go back to UAE, where he seems to be at ease and psychologically comfortable.

Team Melli needs the skills and experience of Ali Karimi, players like him are not born every day and despite some shortcomings, he is still a star and a capable player.

Ali Karimi needs to re-think his strategy and perhaps his attitude. He needs some soul searching and some self criticism to find out where he has gone wrong. It cannot be that everyone is wrong but him. At the age of 29, he has still a few years of good football left in him, and such age one expects better wisdom from the star. After the debacle with Team Melli that resulted in his theoretical suspension, he is still out of favor and out of the squad. Whether the reason is form or even personal differences, Karimi needs to reconsider where he stands else one of the superstars of Iran’s football will remain in the oblivion.

He needs to know that people will not beg him to play for Team Melli, and no respectable coach will accept him at any conditions. He needs to stand up and answer his critics by performance and prove that he is capable player and with consistency. This is the only way that Karimi will regain respect and popularity while he can give the Team Melli selectors no choice but to recall him.

Obviously you are familiar with his case fairly closely. All I know right now, is that a guy like him in TM can be the difference in winning or loosing a game. Time and time he has proved it. So for TM sake, I hope he gets his act together. I am sure recent TM drama case hasn't helped in him getting his confidence and mojo back.

I wish him all the success, so he can be full force in the serive of TM and Iranian football.

[zzgloo]

All other legioners of Iran,have gone through this period of " Self doubt ",and psycological crunch.......
If I was his advisor, I would tell him ,all these will pass, and go after money !!
He needs to play in a stronger league,and and keep makeing money,as these times will never come back again in his life time......he has may be 3 to 5 years left....and he should make atleast $4,000,000 in that span.and may be another 200,000 last good-by year in perspolice.....
He also should stay out of media,and let things settle !.........

[gol_kuchik]

I remember he was asked by German media early on, what makes him great? He responded: Hunger, you don't see rich kids doing well in football. I am afraid, he
is no longer hungry. Talent is not enough, and no one can dispute his talent. But
if he is not motivated I don't know what can be done. It is not like he is a teenager.
There is this tennis player named Safin. He is probably more talented than Federrer
and Nadal, however he is simply not motivated that is why he is not #1.

[Martin-Reza]

Karimi was a player who needed energy for his playing style. I'm afraid his physique doesn't allow him to play like he used to anymore, so unless he can change his playing style fundamentally, which I doubt, his only chance to regain his past status is to somehow improve his fitness.

[Ali Chicago]

Karimi was a player who needed energy for his playing style. I'm afraid his physique doesn't allow him to play like he used to anymore, so unless he can change his playing style fundamentally, which I doubt, his only chance to regain his past status is to somehow improve his fitness.

Even his dead body (no pun inteneded to Enayati in WC) still worth more than a player like Ando or Sadeghi or even Khalatbari , Zandi or Gholamnezhad. I take Karimi any day over these players.

[gol_kuchik]

Even his dead body (no pun inteneded to Enayati in WC) still worth more than a player like Ando or Sadeghi or even Khalatbari , Zandi or Gholamnezhad. I take Karimi any day over these players.

Zandis live body scored a crucial goal against China in Asian cup, not
to mention his goal against UAE, which got us the first win after 4 games!
Andos live body also scored a goal against Indonasia! in Asian Cup where
inspite of our huge star power we had only scored 1 goal against Indonasia
until 78 minute.

When was the last time Karimis live or deadbody scored, or made an
assisst or made a difference in the game? Do you see him run the length of
the field? I would love for him to get back to shape and play, but you can
not take a spot just based on potentials alone. If he takes TM serious, he
would force himself on Daei by showing form and readiness.

[Martin-Reza]

Even his dead body (no pun inteneded to Enayati in WC) still worth more than a player like Ando or Sadeghi or even Khalatbari , Zandi or Gholamnezhad. I take Karimi any day over these players.

Ando's alive body is playing in Premier League, Karimi's alive body is even rejected throughout Asia. Apparently not many coaches share your view. And Gholamnejad is a rightback, so it makes little sense comparing him to an OM.

[faraz]

Ando's alive body is playing in Premier League, Karimi's alive body is even rejected throughout Asia. Apparently not many coaches share your view. And Gholamnejad is a rightback, so it makes little sense comparing him to an OM.

To be honest, a player like Ando unfortunately does not make the difference a player like Karimi can make *at the Asian Level*.

Ando has one style of play that is consistent (though less consistent with TM) no matter if he's playing with Bolton or Iran.

Karimi may not be good enough for Europe and so on, but he is still a star in Asia and imo, still a much more complete player than Shojaei.

His spot in TM is missed, there's no doubt.

[Martin-Reza]

I think Ando makes a big difference, but his contributions simply are not as obvious as a great solo-run.