Ex-Bayern Munich and Al Ahli star Ali Karimi retires from footballl

Former Bayern Munich and Al Ahli midfielder Ali Karimi has brought the curtain down on his stellar 18-year playing career.

The 35-year-old Iranian legend, who won the Bundesliga title with Bayern in 2006 and two President's Cups with Ahli, announced his decision to hang up his boots in a farewell letter on Sunday.

Karimi spent last season with Tractor Sazi Tabriz after enjoying spells with both Bayern and Schalke 04 in Germany as well as Dubai giants Ahli and Qatar SC. He also played for his boyhood heroes Persepolis on three seperate occasions.

In a letter addressed to his fans, Karimi wrote: “All I have is due to the help of God and the support of my fans. The fans will always stay in my heart.

"I’m not sad because I couldn’t spend the last season of my career at my favourite team, Persepolis. Here in Iran, it is not strange at all. We had great legends who bid farewell to their careers in silence."

After making his debut against Kuwait in 1998, Karimi went onto win 127 caps for his country, scoring 38 goals in the process.

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Only Ali Daei (149) and Jevad Nekounam (143) have been capped by Iran more, while Karimi is also third in Iran's all-time goalscoring charts, behind Daei (109) and Karim Bagheri (50).

In total, the attacking midfielder participated in five major tournaments with the Team Melli - the 1998 Asian Games, the 2000, 2004, and 2007 Asian Cups and the FIFA World Cup 2006.

Fans were quick to express their gratitude to Karimi for his service over the past 18 years and pass on their best wishes.