Ali Karimi eyeing Iran return: report

MNA – GELSENKIRCHEN, Schalke 04 midfielder Ali Karimi is looking forward to make a return to Iran football team, according to the local media.

The 2004 Asian Player of the Year was kicked out of Iran football team ahead of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup after criticizing the team’s camp held in Austria.

Carlos Queiroz was appointed as Iran coach last week and the Portuguese coach has said he will call up all the best Iranian players to the team.

Karimi is among Iran’s three European-based players, along with Javad Nekounam and Masoud Shojaei who play for Osasuna.

“In my opinion, the young players must play in the national team; however, the Iranian coaches can count on me. I am ready to help my country advance to the World Cup,” Karimi said.

Former Schalke coach Felix Magath hired Karimi in the winter transfer windows, but the Iranian midfielder has not played in Bundesliga so far.

Karimi came off the bench for the last six minutes against Inter Milan in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal on Tuesday night. Schalke beat defending champion Inter Milan 5-2 with its newly-appointed coach Ralf Rangnick.

“Magath is a great coach and I had no problem with him. Rangnick is a great coach as well, and I hope to start playing in the Bundesliga matches,” Karimi added.