Name: Mohamed Ali Karimi Pashaki
Nickname: "the Magician", "the Asian Maradona"
Country:
IranClub: Shabab Al-Ahli Club (2001-2005), FC Bayern München (2005-2007)
Position: *AMF, WF, SMF
Side: RF/BS
Age: 23-28 years (08/11/1978)
Height: 179 cm
Weight: 78 kg
Attack: 81
Defence: 44
Balance: 78
Stamina: 81
Top Speed: 83
Acceleration: 86
Response: 82
Agility: 86
Dribble Accuracy: 90
Dribble Speed: 87
Short Pass Accuracy: 77
Short Pass Speed: 78
Long Pass Accuracy: 75
Long Pass Speed: 75
Shot Accuracy: 77
Shot Power: 82
Shot Technique: 79
Free Kick Accuracy: 73
Curling: 76
Header: 81
Jump: 81
Technique: 85
Aggression: 82
Mentality: 70
Goalkeeper Skills: 50
Team Work: 74
Injury Tolerance: B
Condition: 6
Weak Foot Accuracy: 7
Weak Foot Frequency: 6
Consistency: 6
Growth type: Standard/Lasting
CARDS:
P03 - Trickster
P05 - Mazing Run
S01 - Marauding
S06 - Outside Curve
S15 - Shoulder Feint Skills
S16 - Roulette Skills
S18 - Turning Skills
SPECIAL ABILITIES: Dribbling - Reaction - Outside
Attack/Defence Awareness Card: Attack Minded
INFO:
Karimi is a former attacking midfielder, capable of playing as winger or side midfielder. His career began in 1996 at Fath Tehran. In 1998, he transferred to Persepolis, where he had three different stints, the first being from 1998 to 2001, the second in 2008-09, the third from 2011 to 2013, for a total of 127 appearances and 38 goals. In 2001, he joined Emirati team Al-Ahli, where he was highly prolific, scoring 81 times in 118 matches in four seasons. He signed for Bayern München in 2005, although he didn't have the same success he had in Iran and United Arab Emirates as he played 42 games in two years ─ most of which in the first year ─ scoring 4 goals. He then played for Qatar SC in Qatar, Steel Azin and Tractor Sazi in Iran, Schalke 04 in Germany. He retired in 2014. He capped for Iran in 127 occasions, scoring 38 goals. He was named Asian Footballer of the Year in 2004.
Compared to Argentinian legend Diego Maradona and considered one of the greatest Iranian players of all time, Karimi was mostly distinguished for his stunning dribbling skills and speed on the ball. He had great footwork that allowed him to play the ball or shoot with either foot. His hypnotic movements and excellent technical qualities dazed his opponents due to the constant and very quick changes of direction. He could dribble an entire defence easily before beating the goalkeeper. Even though Karimi was offensive minded, he didn't dislike supporting the defensive line by recovering some balls. However, he was sometimes criticised for a lack of mentality as he showed a poor defensive work and the tendency to disappear from the game especially during the defensive phase. Ali Parvin, who coached him at Persepolis, thought that Karimi's runs to the box were perfect to create chances for his teammates or gain penalties. However, he was superb in getting inside the area and score. In fact, other than possessing remarkable shot power, shot technique and speed of execution, he was able in scoring with headers or tap-ins, showing good positional sense. He occasionally scored from free kick and several times from penalty. It was said that Karimi could have played successfully in big European clubs but he lacked of motivation, rejecting offers and preferring to play in the Middle East.
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