Ali Karimi Interview - Explaining why he left TM

[Nariman]

Big thank you to AminGP jaan for translating this long interview for everyone. These words from Karimi need to be spread, you have done a great job bro.!

Not surprising that some try to take cheap shots at Karimi again, instead of focusing on the main point, but we are used to that by now. Pretty boring, back then at least we could discuss and exchange opinions - now everything is washed up and nonsense. It was very obvious that something serious was going on when Karimi did not fly to Austrialia, yet again we had those super naive people only creating hashiye & claiming/believing things like Karimi has problems with CQ/Nekounam, was not happy with the tickets, wants to sit on the bench...lol...Instead of questioning IFF, they again baselessly attacked Karimi. Does not matter, his popularity only increased during the past years and there is a clear reason behind that. Let them continue...

Back to the topic:
We should not forget the atmosphere during our WCQ - not everyone was pro-CQ at the beginning like these days, especially before the last 3 WCQ matches. Karimi was one of the few that publicly strongly stood behind CQ/TM from day #1 before other folks joined.

This was a great interview to read, but knowing IFF none of the points were surprising, rather expected.
I did not like all comments, for example what he said about Khanzadeh. Frankly sometimes Karimi is way too honest and says things he should keep for himself, then again that’s why many love him that much. I get his point - still I wish he would have supported Khanzadeh a bit here, 9 months is absolutely ridiculous.

Anyway don’t worry; Karimi says he does not want to do anything under these conditions just to arouse attention on these issues to pressure IFF. He might not go for a coaching license, but I believe he will do other things to help Iran and our football. With CQ/Nekounam leading TM INSIDE, we also need Karimi from outside to expose IFF's incompetence even more.

[Ali.Karimi79]

I don't see any changes in your quote?

here u go again

AK was a great player, he never took shit from anyone, is down to earth and is still the peoples man. I want him near TM.

[Abtin]

I corrected the sentence for you. you're welcome.
AK was a great player, he never took shit from anyone, is down to earth and is still the peoples man. I want him near TM.

I don't see any changes in your quote?

[Ali.Karimi79]

AK is a great player, but he's full of drama, unprofessional, dramatic. Don't want him near TM.

I corrected the sentence for you. you're welcome.
AK was a great player, he never took shit from anyone, is down to earth and is still the peoples man. I want him near TM.

[ramingeles2000]

AK is a great player, but he's full of drama, unprofessional, dramatic. Don't want him near TM.

[AminGP]

So I read the full interview in Persian. And he sounds alot like an Ahmadinejad+Daei love child. Tripping on his own ego with an incessant dose of "begam begam." And why did he leave the camp on the eve of their flight to Australia again? I heard alot of BS minor excuses but nothing he didn't know about already before joining the TM. So my money is still on his economy ticket.

Did you skip the part where he said he flew economy to the south african camp? Did you skip the part where he said he flew economy back from world cup in 2006 and they even came and offered him to go to the first class but he preferred to sit in economy?

[rugs]

So I read the full interview in Persian. And he sounds alot like an Ahmadinejad+Daei love child. Tripping on his own ego with an incessant dose of "begam begam." And why did he leave the camp on the eve of their flight to Australia again? I heard alot of BS minor excuses but nothing he didn't know about already before joining the TM. So my money is still on his economy ticket. Also seems like he has a major beef with Nekounam as was expected since CQ chose Neko as the team captain while Karimi was still active.

36 years old and still a petulant child.

Your comments make me wonder if you can read Persian properly.

[ashkan24]

So I read the full interview in Persian. And he sounds alot like an Ahmadinejad+Daei love child. Tripping on his own ego with an incessant dose of "begam begam." And why did he leave the camp on the eve of their flight to Australia again? I heard alot of BS minor excuses but nothing he didn't know about already before joining the TM. So my money is still on his economy ticket. Also seems like he has a major beef with Nekounam as was expected since CQ chose Neko as the team captain while Karimi was still active.

36 years old and still a petulant child.

[ARYA :)]

To me it sounds like this zakhar is taking indirect shots not only at Nekounam, but also CQ. Also surprising to see that he'd come out publicy and say he hopes Khanzadeh's 9 month ban isn't reduced.

His comments were not designed to take shots at Nekunam or CQ. I assume you are referring to his comment about Nekunam passing out the bonuses. This in no way is meant as a shot at Neku, but was a shot at the IFF. He simply means that the IFF should have people in place for such matters and the onus should not be placed on the TM captain. Also, his comment about the German coach not being able to make an impact on our football is tied to the fact that without proper facilities and support from the federation, no coach, not even the coach of WC Champions would be able to make a huge impact where TM is concerned. Again this is not taking a shot at CQ, as a matter of fact it supports CQ’s comments/concerns.

[khodam]

On my next visit to Iran, I will make an effort to visit IFF and take a shit at the doorway. Well, I guess I have to expand my plan to a lot of places in Iran.

As for AK's interview; he is a great footballer and a rebel who champions change for the better. But AK is also rebel. His black and white attitude cannot success in a very complex and politicized organization. He could have been very successful if he were a bit more diplomatic. Too bad!

I really think AK should run for the parliament.

[AminGP]

Surprisingly though Nader jaan, this interview was less personal and more general which was refreshing to see and perhaps a sign of more good things to come from Karimi (by focusing less on himself and more on the bigger picture).

Well he said that he's not gonna return to this football until guys like Kafashian are in IFF. Mahdavikia could have just complained like the rest of the retired players about our youth program, but he's actually taking a huge step and wants to make some serious changes. Karimi should do the same. If he thinks people in IFF are not capable of running the federation why doesn't he offer help? I'm not sure about his management skills but I'm sure he could offer his services some how to our football rather than complaining.

[Bi-honar]

من بسیار برای علی* کریمی* احترام قائل هستم.ولی* این رفتار او را بسیار غیر حرفیی* و از روی نادانی* میبینم.آخه توی این موقعیّت حساس تیم* ملی* را رها کردن نشون دهندهٔ این است که هنوز با وجود بازی کردن در آلمان یاد نگرفته است که در چه موقع و چه مورد حساسی در کنار تیم* ملیش بماند

Good to see you here Kasra jaan. Your wealth of knowledge is definitely a welcome addition to the forum.

[Bi-honar]

I got the same impression. The thing with Karimi is that he genuinely wants the best for our football but has made himself incapable of doing anything to help (and he has had ample opportunities). Yes, he occasionally calls out people here and there but it's mostly in a personal context. For example, it's not like Dejagah or Ando who came out and spoke in support of CQ for the sake of Team Melli - rather, it seems that there is a lot of built-up frustration in Karimi against people (and this is not always justified).

By virtue of his footballing flair and talent (as well as playing in Persepolis), Karimi will always be one of the most popular figures in our football. However, he's never going to be the person to look to for change (as opposed to Mahdavikia, Daei, or Nekounam).

Surprisingly though Nader jaan, this interview was less personal and more general which was refreshing to see and perhaps a sign of more good things to come from Karimi (by focusing less on himself and more on the bigger picture).

It was also nice to see him put some pressure on the media to seek change. I don't know maybe I'm picking up the vibes all wrong here, but it seems to me that the media has become a lot more focused and powerful in the past few months, at least when it comes to our football.

And this self-belief, for lack of a better word, that they can instigate change, question the actions of governmental organizations, and sometimes to just create debate is certainly a welcome change and I think it's nice if our football personalities like Karimi do put the onus on the media to do more, rather than just watching from the sidelines.

[Khashayar R]

To me it sounds like this zakhar is taking indirect shots not only at Nekounam, but also CQ.

Can you explain why you think it's like this?

[K. Nader]

To me it sounds like this zakhar is taking indirect shots not only at Nekounam, but also CQ. Also surprising to see that he'd come out publicy and say he hopes Khanzadeh's 9 month ban isn't reduced.

I got the same impression. The thing with Karimi is that he genuinely wants the best for our football but has made himself incapable of doing anything to help (and he has had ample opportunities). Yes, he occasionally calls out people here and there but it's mostly in a personal context. For example, it's not like Dejagah or Ando who came out and spoke in support of CQ for the sake of Team Melli - rather, it seems that there is a lot of built-up frustration in Karimi against people (and this is not always justified).

By virtue of his footballing flair and talent (as well as playing in Persepolis), Karimi will always be one of the most popular figures in our football. However, he's never going to be the person to look to for change (as opposed to Mahdavikia, Daei, or Nekounam).