Iranian authorities announced on Monday, May 11, 2026, the seizure of six properties belonging to former international footballer Ali Karimi. Living in exile abroad, the former playmaker has become one of the most outspoken critics of the Islamic Republic.

Nicknamed the "Asian Maradona" during his career, particularly during his notable stint at Bayern Munich, Ali Karimi now uses his social media fame to denounce the current regime. His messages of support for the protest movement and his references to the former Shah, overthrown in 1979, have led the judiciary's official press outlet, Mizan, to label him a "traitor to the nation."

According to authorities, four residences and two commercial properties belonging to the 47-year-old former footballer have been identified and seized by court order, officially in the interest of the Iranian people. Ali Karimi, who left Iran in 2022, had already been prosecuted that same year for inciting the mass protests that followed the death of Mahsa Amini. This measure is part of a broader policy of freezing assets targeting a list of individuals deemed traitors, particularly since the start of the open conflict with Israel and the United States on February 28.

Ali Karimi's case is not isolated, and the pressure on elite athletes is mounting. Zahra Ghanbari, captain of the women's national football team, notably had her assets seized after applying for asylum in Australia, before recovering them by withdrawing her application. During the last Women's Asian Cup, five other players and a member of the coaching staff also sought asylum in Australia, and two of them ultimately remained in the country.

This asset hunt is taking place in a climate of extreme tension. The Iranian men's football team is scheduled to participate in the World Cup in the United States this June. This trip is already expected to be under heavy security by the authorities, given the ongoing war in the Middle East and the risk of further defections or demonstrations of support for dissidents during the global tournament.