Position: Midfielder
Born: 08.11.78
Club: Bayern Munich

Labelled the 'Persian Maradona' by the Western media, Ali Karimi is widely regarded as the most talented player to emerge from Iran since Ali Daei.

Renowned for his outlandish skill and propensity for dazzling runs, Karimi began his career with Persepolis where he won two domestic championships.

His bright performances attracted the likes of Atletico Madrid to enquire about his availability but instead Karimi opted for a move to the UAE.

He joined Al-Ahli Club in 2001, helping them to two Presidential Cups, before eventually being lured to Europe by Bayern Munich for the 2005/2006 season.

While the 27-year-old arrived in Germany relatively unheralded, in Iran Karimi was already a superstar.

His spellbinding performances for the national side earned him the nickname 'Wizard of Tehran' and in the 2004 Asian Cup he scored five times as Iran finished third.

Largely due to his electric performances in China, Karimi was voted Iran's footballer of the year in 2004.

He has had a positive first season with Bayern, earning a place in the starting XI and getting his first experience of the UEFA Champions League.

Karimi will be playing in his first World Cup in Germany and if he can produce his best form in June, football fans are in for a treat.