Karimi returns to Iran ahead of Cup final

PFDC – BERLIN, Ali Karimi’s spell at Schalke ended before the club’s highlight of the season, the German Cup final in Berlin on Saturday.

The veteran playmaker returned to Tehran for urgent family matters and therefore is not among the 23 players who had travelled to Berlin.

Karimi had joined Schalke for the second season half after canceling his contract with Steel Azeen but only had two substitute appearances for the Bundesliga side despite mostly making the 18-men roster on matchdays.

Where the 32-year-old free agent will play next season is unclear yet, however, comebacks at his former successful stations Al Ahli (UAE) or Persepolis Tehran seem on the cards.