Ali Karimi (footballer, born 1994)

Ali Nozar Karimi (born 11 February 1994) is an Iranian professional footballer who plays for Kayserispor as a central midfielder.

Sepahan
He joined Sepahan in the summer of 2012. From 2010 to 2012, he was a member of Sepahan under-19 football team. Karimi made his first league appearance in the 2013–14 season. He won the Persian Gulf Pro League with Sepahan in the 2014–15 season.

2016–17
On 1 July 2016, Karimi joined Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb on a five-year contract for a reported US$400,000 transfer fee. He is the first Iranian to play in Croatian Prva HNL. Karimi made his preseason debut on 2 July 2016, coming on as a second-half substitute against Romanian club CS Pandurii Târgu Jiu.

Loan to Lokomotiva
Karimi joined Dinamo Zagreb's feeder club Lokomotiva in January 2017 on a 6-month loan. He finally got a chance to show off his power and control in the midfield as he started six games for Lokomotiva, set up multiple goals and scored his first goal in the Croatian league for the NK Lokomotiva on 26 April 2017 in a 1–0 league victory against Istra 1961.

Esteghlal
On 15 July 2018, Karimi joined Esteghlal signing a one-year contract with the club.

Qatar SC
On 1 November 2020, Karimi joined Qatar SC, signing a one-year contract with the club.

Kayserispor
In July 2020, Karimi joined Kayseispor as a free agent.

Youth
He was invited to Iran U-23 training camp by Nelo Vingada in preparation for Incheon 2014 and 2016 AFC U-22 Championship (Summer Olympic qualification). He was named for the Iran U23 and on the final roster for Incheon 2014.

Senior
Karimi was called to the national team in March 2014 but did not play a game. He was called up again to the senior Iran squad for a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against India in September 2015. He made his debut against Papua New Guinea on 10 November 2016 in a friendly match.

In May 2018, he was named in Iran's preliminary squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. but did not make the final 23 because of injury. He was included in the final list for the 2022 World Cup by Carlos Queiroz.

Honours
Sepahan
 * Hazfi Cup: 2012–13
 * Persian Gulf Pro League: 2014–15

Iran U23
 * WAFF U23 Championship: 2015