Ali Daei

Lore & Background

A tall forward, Ali Daei was a prolific goal-scorer renowned for his exceptional heading accuracy and aerial ability. He is regarded as one of the greatest Iranian footballers of all time and among the finest from Asia. Daei captained the Iranian national team from 2000 to 2006 and played in the Bundesliga for Arminia Bielefeld, Bayern Munich, and Hertha Berlin. He became the first Asian player to appear in a UEFA Champions League match, scoring his first two goals in the competition against Chelsea in a 2–1 win for Hertha, and also netted against AC Milan at the San Siro. Daei’s international goal-scoring prowess was historic: he was the world’s top international goal-scorer with 108 goals until surpassed by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2021, then dropped to third after Lionel Messi passed him in 2024. He scored his 85th international goal in a 2003 Asian Cup qualifier against Lebanon, surpassing Ferenc Puskás for the all-time record, and became the first male player to reach 100 international goals with a four-goal haul against Laos in a 2006 World Cup qualifier. Daei also scored four goals against South Korea in the 1996 Asian Cup and was named the world’s top scorer in official international competitions by the IFFHS in 1996. He earned 148 caps for Iran. Off the pitch, he was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2001 and later served on the FIFA Football Committee from 2007 to 2013. In 2014, he was inducted into the Asian Football Hall of Fame.

Reader's Guide

Daei was born in Ardabil, Imperial Iran, to an Iranian Azerbaijani family. He graduated from Aryamehr University of Technology in Materials Engineering (Metallurgical) with a BSc. degree. He began his playing career at 19 with his hometown club Esteghlal Ardabil. His next club was Taxirani F.C. in Tehran, where he played for one season, before joining another Tehran-based club, Bank Tejarat. His tenure with Bank Tejarat lasted four years, scoring 49 goals in 75 games. After his success with Bank Tejarat FC, in 1994, Daei joined Persepolis, scoring 23 goals in 38 games from 1994 to 1996. Following his performance in the 1996 Asian Cup, he moved to Al Sadd for the 1996–1997 season before joining Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefeld in 1997 alongside fellow Iranian national teammate Karim Bagheri. At Bayern Munich, he found himself low in the pecking order and moved to Hertha BSC before the end of his three-year contract when Bayern won the 1999 Bundesliga. Daei became the first Asian player to feature in a UEFA Champions League match. He scored his first and second goal in the UEFA Champions League on 21 September 1999 in a group stage match against Chelsea, won by Hertha 2–1. He also scored in a 1–1 draw against A.C. Milan at the San Siro. In 2001, he joined Al-Shabab in the UAE league as a free agent. In 2003, Daei quit the UAE team and joined Persepolis. He then moved to Saba Battery on a free transfer, spending two years there, scoring 23 goals, winning the Hazfi Cup and participating in the Asian Champions League. After the 2006 World Cup, his contract was not renewed. He signed for Saipa on 1 August 2006. On 6 March 2007, Daei was fined $2000 and suspended for four games by the Iranian Football Federation after a head-butt incident. On 28 May 2007, after Saipa won the 2006–07 Persian Gulf Cup, Daei announced his retirement from playing club football. Daei made his debut for Team Melli at the 1993 ECO Cup tournament. He was named the World's top scorer in official international competitions by the IFFHS, having scored 20 goals in competitive matches for Iran in 1996, including a four-goal haul against South Korea in Asian Cup 1996. By the end of the 1996 Asian Cup, he had scored 29 goals in 38 appearances for Iran. In the 1998 World Cup qualifying campaign, he scored nine goals in 17 matches, reaching 38 goals in 52 appearances. On 28 November 2003, he score

Did You Know?

• Daei is the all-time Asian men's top goal scorer in international football with 108 goals.
• He was the world's top international goal-scorer until Cristiano Ronaldo broke his record in 2021.
• Daei became the first Asian player to feature in a UEFA Champions League match.
• He was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2001.