Quick Facts
AriesBiography
Karim Ansarifard (Persian: کریم انصاریفرد; born 3 April 1990, Ardabil) is an Iranian footballer who plays as a striker for Greek club Olympiacos and the Iranian national team. His playing style and ability have drawn comparisons to Ali Daei (the coach who scouted him) and he has been named Daei's "successor".
World Soccer selected Ansarifard as one of the best young talents in the world alongside Javier Hernández and Jack Wilshere. On 13 January 2012, FIFA.com selected him as one of the players to watch in 2012. Goal.com also chose him as one of the hottest 100 young football players in the world. Also in 2012, FIFA ranked him as the 48th best goalscorer in the world and second best in Asia.
Club career
Saipa
During one of Saipa's training camps in Ardabil, Karim's home city, he was taken on a training trial by then-coach Ali Daei and was accepted into the club's youth academy and reserves. In the 2007 season Saipa the Iranian reigning champions encountered problems in scoring after the departure of Mohsen Khalili and retirement of then-coach Ali Daei. After 12 weeks Ali Daei moved Ansarifard to the first team from the reserves and the young starlet answered the coach's faith with good games including the only goal against a strong Sepahan team. Ansarifard scored 13 goals during the 2009/2010 season. After strong performances, Karim became fast one of the best players of Saipa and targeted by European clubs such as Borussia Dortmund and Celtic F.C. later, FC Steaua București made a €200,000 bid for a half season loan. In May 2011, it was suggested that Everton are interested in signing Ansarifard. Despite major interest from European clubs, conscription problems made the prospect of Ansarifard moving to a foreign club unlikely. Ansarifard renewed his contract with Saipa for another two years on 14 July 2011. In the 2011–2012 Iranian Pro League season, Ansarifard scored 21 goals and made 5 assists for Saipa, becoming the league's top scorer.
Persepolis
There was much speculation during the 2011–12 Iranian Pro League season that Ansarifard would be leaving Saipa. On 17 June 2012 he signed a three-years contract with Persepolis. He was given the number 9 shirt. He scored his first goal in a pre-season match against Aluminium. He made his debut for Persepolis in an official match against Sanat Naft and scored his first goal for Persepolis against Gahar Zagros. He scored his first Hat-trick as a Persepolis player (and second in his career) against Paykan. He scored another hat-trick in the Round of 32 of Hazfi Cup at Malavan. He also scored the Persepolis' first goal in the Hazfi Cup final. His team would go on to lose on penalties. At the start of the season, Ansarifard initially decided to stay at Persepolis despite bids from Sepahan, Tractor Sazi and two UAE Pro League sides. However he fell out with club head coach Ali Daei during pre-season. He was out listed and was eventually transferred to Tractor Sazi on 14 July 2013.
Tractor Sazi
After Persepolis listed him in the out of the squad, he decided to play another season in Iran and joined Tractor Sazi. He signed a one-year contract with the option of a transfer to the European leagues in the case of bids. He made his debut on 1 August 2013 in a 1–1 draw in Tabriz derby over Gostaresh Foolad. He won Hazfi Cup title with Tractor Sazi and was named as the tournament's Most Valuable Player. Ansarifard scored seventeen goals for Tabriz's reds during his spell at the team, fourteen goals was in the league, making him the season's top scorer for the second time in his professional career. In July 2014 Ansarifard was released by Tractor Sazi and was allowed to sign with a European club.
Osasuna
On 29 August 2014, Ansarifard signed a two-year deal with Segunda División's CA Osasuna. He made his league debut on 4 October 2014, coming on as a substitute for Roberto Torres in the 61st minute against Racing de Santander. He made his first start on 18 October in a 3–2 win against CD Tenerife.
Panionios
In the summer of 2015, Ansarifard signed with Panionios F.C. in the Superleague Greece. He scored his first goal for the club in a 5–1 win over Panetolikos F.C. on 3 October 2015. Ansarifard scored the winning goal on 7 November 2015 in a match against Platanias. On 28 November 2015, Karim Ansarifard scored a brace and helped Panionios win against PAS Giannina 2–0. His solo goal in April 2016 during matchday 28 in a victory against PAOK earned him goal of the week honours.
On May 2016, Iranian striker of Panionios, whose contract expires at the end of next season, was offered to PAOK Thessaloniki but the 26-year old international is not on top of Eagles' shortlist right now. He started the 2016-17 season as the undisputable leader of club's offense. On 10 September 2016, he scored his first goal for the season in a triumphic 3-0 home win against rivals Asteras Tripoli.
Olympiacos
On 13 January 2017, Ansarifard signed a 3.5 year contract with Greek giants Olympiacos for a transfer fee of €400 000, while Panionios kept a 10% next percentage sale. He was assigned the number 17.
International career
He was Invited to Iran national under-17 football team in 2005. In 2006 AFC U-17 Championship, he worn number 14 and was a benchwarmer. Ansarifard played as a substitute in two matches against Tajikistan and Yemen.
Karim Ansarifard made his debut against Iceland in November 2009 under Afshin Ghotbi and scored his first international goal and the only goal of the game. He was given the legendary number 10 previously worn by Ali Daei and scored on 15 January 2011 his 3rd international goal against North Korea, so Ansarifard became Iran's youngest ever goalscorer in the AFC Asian Cup. In 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification, Ansarifard scored a double against Maldives at Azadi Stadium. He came on as a late substitute against Uzbekistan in the World Cup Qualifiers and assisted with a beautiful pass for Mohammad Reza Khalatbari as a 94th-minute winner. On 1 June 2014, he was called into Iran's 2014 FIFA World Cup squad by Carlos Queiroz. He played his first World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, coming on as a substitute for Ashkan Dejagah in the 68th minute. He was called into Iran's 2015 AFC Asian Cup squad on 30 December 2014 by Carlos Queiroz. He provided an assist to Sardar Azmoun in their Asian Cup preparation match against Iraq.
Style of play
He has been compared to Iranian legend Ali Daei and young German forward Thomas Muller by his fans. His favorite player is Fernando Torres. He is a center forward with great energy and impressive in both air and ground. He played as a right winger in first season for Saipa but in next seasons returned to his main position.
Personal life
He is the last child of the family and he has three brothers and three sisters. He studied Physical Education at Islamic Azad University Central Tehran Branch.
Career statistics
Club
- As of 8 January 2017
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Saipa | 2007–08 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 23 | 2 |
| 2008–09 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 15 | 1 | |
| 2009–10 | 31 | 13 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 32 | 13 | |
| 2010–11 | 29 | 19 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 30 | 19 | |
| 2011–12 | 31 | 21 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 31 | 21 | |
| Totals | 123 | 55 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 131 | 56 | |
| Persepolis | 2012–13 | 31 | 8 | 5 | 4 | – | – | 36 | 12 |
| Totals | 31 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 12 | |
| Tractor Sazi | 2013–14 | 28 | 14 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 35 | 17 |
| Totals | 28 | 14 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 35 | 17 | |
| Osasuna | 2014–15 | 16 | 0 | 3 | 0 | – | – | 19 | 0 |
| Totals | 16 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | |
| Panionios | 2015–16 | 30 | 9 | 6 | 2 | – | – | 36 | 11 |
| 2016–17 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 15 | 5 | |
| Totals | 44 | 14 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 16 | |
| Career Totals | 242 | 91 | 22 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 272 | 101 | |
International goals
- As of match played 7 June 2016. Iran score listed first, score column indicates score after each Ansarifard goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 10 November 2009 | Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran | 2 |  Iceland | 1–0 | 1–0 | Friendly |
| 2. | 30 December 2009 | Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar | 6 |  Mali | 1–0 | 1–2 | Friendly |
| 3. | 15 January 2011 | Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar | 17 |  North Korea | 1–0 | 1–0 | 2011 AFC Asian Cup |
| 4. | 23 July 2011 | Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran | 20 |  Maldives | 1–0 | 4–0 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 5. | 5 October 2011 | Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran | 23 |  Palestine | 2–0 | 7–0 | Friendly |
| 6. | 11 October 2011 | Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran | 24 |  Bahrain | 5–0 | 6–0 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 7. | 18 April 2012 | Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran | 27 |  Mauritania | 2–0 | 2–0 | Friendly |
| 8. | 3 March 2014 | Enghelab Stadium, Karaj, Iran | 38 |  Kuwait | 3–2 | 3–2 | 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 9. | 30 May 2014 | Stadion Hartberg, Hartberg, Austria | 41 |  Angola | 1–1 | 1–1 | Friendly |
| 10. | 17 November 2015 | Guam National Football Stadium, Tamuning, Guam | 47 |  Guam | 5–0 | 6–0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 11. | 7 June 2016 | Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran | 52 |  Kyrgyzstan | 4–0 | 6–0 | Friendly |
| 12. | 6–0 | ||||||
| 13. | 10 November 2016 | Shah Alam Stadium, Shah Alam, Malaysia | 53 |  Papua New Guinea | 4–1 | 8–1 | Friendly |
| 14. | 8–1 |
Honours
- Persepolis
- Hazfi Cup: 2012–13 (Runner-up)
- Tractor Sazi
- Hazfi Cup: 2013–14
Individual
- Iran Pro League Top Goalscorer: 2011–12, 2013–14
- Superleague Greece Goal of the Season: 2015–16