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AFC – Moving lock, stock and barrel from one
continent to another is never an easy thing to do, especially for a
professional footballer. The radical changes in climate, culture and playing
styles have seen many of the game’s elite cut short their global forays and
return to more familiar surroundings.
The leap from east to west has, in the past, proved to be a particularly
thorny problem for many Asian superstars. Household names such as China’s Ma
Mingyu, Thailand’s Kiatisuk Senamuang and Saudi Arabia’s Sami Al Jaber have
all been forced to admit defeat as they attempted to conquer Europe.
Thankfully, the likes of Manchester United’s Park Ji-sung, West Bromwich
Albion’s Junichi Inamoto and Celtic’s Shunsuke Nakamura are now starting to
establish themselves where their predecessors, for whatever reason,
floundered. With the list of success stories growing and with his Bayern
Munich career still in its infancy, Ali Karimi is another high profile
export on the verge of great things.
The one-time Pirouzi stalwart has surprised many observers by adapting with
ease to the hustle and bustle of Bundesliga life – a transition made even
more remarkable when it emerges that the 26-year-old has yet to settle into
his favourite string-pulling role.
Whilst the notoriously difficult German media busy themselves developing a
deep fondness for the Iran international, the Bayern faithful have also
taken the Team Melli linchpin to their hearts after witnessing Karimi’s
first league goal at Bayer Leverkusen’s BayArena and his scintillating
performances, all of which have been from different positions.
Despite his frequent Bavarian roaming, ‘The Wizard of Tehran’ is adamant
that he has complete faith in Bayern boss Felix Magath’s judgement to field
him in a variety of guises.
“I’m a midfielder and I have mainly played centrally in the playmaking
role,” Karimi explained during an interview with his side’s official
website.
“But, at the end of the day, the coach picks the team and he’s the best
judge of my strengths. I’ll always do my best in whatever position I’m asked
to play.”
With several big names breathing down his neck for a spot in the first
eleven, the former Al Ahli favourite could be excused for wanting an easier
introduction to his European adventure.
Never one to shy away from the spotlight, Asia’s reigning Player of the Year
has admirably managed to more than hold his own in the midst of an intense
battle for places.
Indeed, the Karaj-born dynamo believes the competition, far from being a
hindrance, is in fact directly responsible for the impressive team spirit
that exists at the Allianz Arena.
“I’m not having any kind of problem with anyone in the dressing room. We all
get along well as teammates.
“Obviously you know you are in a battle for places when we train, but we all
respect each other and we are all working to make this a successful club.”
With many observers already predicting that Karimi could well become one of
Bayern’s all-time greats, even eclipsing the achievements of compatriot Ali
Daei who was with the 19-times German champions from 1998 until 1999, the
Iranian has nothing but admiration for his new employers – employers he
chose ahead of a whole host of rival suitors.
“The Bundesliga is one of the world’s top leagues, so the differences are
huge. It starts with the administration, planning and training facilities.
All of this is first class at Bayern. There’s no comparison with my previous
clubs really.
“I had a number of interesting offers during the four years I spent in
Dubai, but none attracted me as much as the one from Bayern. I always said
when the time came to switch to Europe, it had to be to one of the leading
clubs, and that’s Bayern.
“After the firm offer arrived, I did not even have to think. I came to an
immediate decision.”
That snap decision to move his footballing talent westwards broke Karimi’s
lifetime association with Asian club football.
Such a radical change was never going to be an easy one but, having solved
his initial acclimatisation problems, Karimi is now determined to better
himself in what is undoubtedly one of Europe’s toughest leagues.
He also looks set to further endear himself to those connected with the 2001
UEFA Champions League winners by declaring that he feels his best is yet to
come.
“I’m a professional, so settling down as fast as possible in a new
environment is part of my job, it was a little difficult for me right at the
start,” Karimi admitted.
“But the team, the coach and everyone at the club have made me feel
exceptionally welcome and that has helped me enormously. I’m exceptionally
grateful for that.
“I can play even better. I have to keep working on my game, put in even more
effort and I still need more experience. You definitely haven’t seen the
best of me yet.”
An ever better Karimi – now that is a mouth-watering prospect.
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