Ali Daei facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ali Daei

Daei in 2019
Personal information
Full name	Ali Daei
Date of birth	(1969-03-21) 21 March 1969 (age 56)
Place of birth	Ardabil, Pahlavi Iran
Height	1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s)	Centre forward
Youth career
1983–1987	Esteghlal Ardabil
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1987–1989	Esteghlal Ardabil
1989–1990	Taxirani
1990–1994	Bank Tejarat	75	(49)
1994–1996	Persepolis	38	(23)
1996–1997	Al Sadd	16	(10)
1997–1998	Arminia Bielefeld	25	(7)
1998–1999	Bayern Munich	23	(6)
1999–2002	Hertha BSC	59	(6)
2002–2003	Al Shabab	21	(11)
2003–2004	Persepolis	28	(16)
2004–2006	Saba Battery	51	(23)
2006–2007	Saipa	26	(10)
Total		362	(161)
International career
1993–2006	Iran	148	(108)
2002	Iran Olympic (Wild Card)	3	(3)
Managerial career
2006–2008	Saipa
2007	Iran Students
2008–2009	Iran
2009–2011	Persepolis F.C.
2011–2013	Rah Ahan
2013–2014	Persepolis
2015–2016	Saba Qom
2016–2017	Naft Tehran
2017–2019	Saipa
Medal record Men's football Representing  Iran (as player) AFC Asian Cup Third 1996 United Arab Emirates Third 2004 China Asian Games Gold 1998 Bangkok Team Gold 2002 Busan Team AFC–OFC Challenge Cup Winner 2003 Iran WAFF Championship Winner 2004 Iran Representing  Iran (as manager) WAFF Championship Winner 2008 Iran
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Ali Daei (born March 21, 1969) is a famous Iranian football manager and former player. He was a powerful striker and served as the captain of the Iranian national team from 2000 to 2006. He played for big clubs in Germany, like Arminia Bielefeld, Bayern Munich, and Hertha Berlin. Many people consider him one of the best Iranian and Asian footballers ever.

Ali Daei was known for scoring many goals, especially with his head. He held the world record for the most international goals scored by a male player, with 109 goals. This record was broken by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2021 and then by Lionel Messi in 2024. During his career, Daei also became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2001, helping children around the world. After he stopped playing, he was part of the FIFA Football Committee and was added to the Asian Football Hall of Fame in 2014.

Club Career Highlights

Starting His Football Journey

Ali Daei was born in Ardabil, Iran. He studied Materials Engineering at Sharif University of Technology. He started playing football at age 19 for his hometown club, Esteghlal Ardabil. After playing for Taxirani F.C. and Bank Tejarat, he scored 49 goals in 75 games for Bank Tejarat.

Playing in Europe

In 1994, Daei joined Persepolis, one of Tehran's top clubs. He scored 23 goals in 38 games there. After showing great skill in the Asian Cup in 1996, he moved to Al Sadd in Qatar. Then, in 1997, he joined the German team Arminia Bielefeld in the Bundesliga.

Later, he moved to Bayern Munich and then to Hertha BSC. At Hertha, he made history as the first Asian player to play in a UEFA Champions League match. He scored two goals against Chelsea in 1999 and another against A.C. Milan.

Coming Back to Asia

In 2001, Ali Daei returned to Asia, joining Al-Shabab in the UAE. In 2003, he came back to Iran and played for Persepolis again. He then moved to Saba Battery, where he scored 23 goals and won the Hazfi Cup.

After the 2006 FIFA World Cup, he joined Saipa in 2006. On May 28, 2007, after Saipa won the 2006–07 Persian Gulf Cup, Daei announced he was retiring from playing football to focus on coaching.

International Football Career

Daei (left) playing for Iran against Laos in 2004

Ali Daei was recognized as the world's top scorer in international matches by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS). He scored 20 goals for Iran in 1996, including four goals against South Korea in the Asian Cup 1996. By the end of 1996, he had 29 goals in 38 games for Iran.

He continued to score many goals, reaching 85 international goals in 2003, passing the legendary Hungarian player Ferenc Puskás. On November 17, 2004, he scored four goals against Laos, reaching 102 goals. This made him the first male player to score 100 goals in international matches.

Daei played 148 games for Iran. His record of 109 international goals stood for many years until Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed it in September 2021. Ali Daei shared his happiness for Ronaldo's achievement on social media.

College and Coaching Roles

College Football

Ali Daei was the captain of the Islamic Azad University football team. In the 2007 World Interuniversity Games, he scored three goals in the final and helped his team win the gold medal.

Early Coaching Steps

In 2007, Daei was the head coach for the Iran student's national team. He also worked as a technical manager for the Islamic Azad University team in 2009.

Managerial Career

Leading Saipa

On October 8, 2006, Ali Daei became the interim manager for Saipa. He soon became the full-time manager. In his first season, Saipa won the Persian Gulf Cup. He then stopped playing to focus only on coaching.

Coaching the National Team

On March 2, 2008, Ali Daei was officially named the head coach of the Iranian national football team. He led Iran to many wins. However, after a loss to Saudi Arabia in March 2009, he left his role as head coach.

Managing Persepolis

In December 2009, Daei became the coach of Persepolis. Under his leadership, Persepolis won the Hazfi Cup in both 2010 and 2011. He helped many young players develop their skills during his time there.

Coaching Rah Ahan

On July 14, 2011, Daei signed a contract to coach Rah Ahan. He helped the club achieve its best league finish since 1937, placing 8th in the 2012–13 season.

Second Time at Persepolis

On May 20, 2013, Ali Daei returned to coach Persepolis for a second time. In his first year back, his team finished second in the league. He left the club in September 2014.

Other Coaching Roles

Daei also managed Saba Qom from 2015 to 2016, and Naft Tehran from 2016 to 2017, where he won another Hazfi Cup. He then returned to Saipa in 2017, coaching them for two seasons.

Involvement in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Draw

Ali Daei was one of the important people involved in the 2022 FIFA World Cup draw, which took place in Qatar on April 1, 2022.

Personal Life

Business and Helping Others

Ali Daei owns his own company, Daei Sport's Wears & Equipments, which makes sportswear for sports clubs. He has given a lot to charity and has played in charity football matches around the world. He also appeared in a UNICEF commercial with famous people like David Beckham.

In July 2007, Daei played in a special match called 90 Minutes for Mandela to celebrate Nelson Mandela's birthday.

Beliefs

Ali Daei follows Shia Islam. When he played for Bayern Munich, he chose not to hold a glass of beer for an advertisement because his religion does not allow alcoholic drinks.

Autobiography

In April 2008, Ali Daei announced that he was writing a book about his life. He said it would share his memories, both good and challenging.

Car Accident

On March 17, 2012, Ali Daei was in a car accident while driving. He was taken to a hospital and later transferred to another hospital in Tehran. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Sepp Blatter, the President of FIFA, sent their good wishes for his quick recovery.

Community Involvement

In December 2022, Ali Daei spoke out in support of important events in Iran. Because of this, a flight carrying his wife and daughter was asked to return to Kish Island.

Career Statistics

Club Play

International Goals

Managerial Statistics

Awards and Achievements

As a Player

Persepolis

• Azadegan League: 1995–96

Bayern Munich

• Bundesliga: 1998–99
• DFB-Ligapokal: 1998
• UEFA Champions League runner-up: 1998–99

Saba Battery

• Hazfi Cup: 2004–05
• Iranian Super Cup: 2005

Saipa

• Persian Gulf Cup: 2006–07

Iran U23

• Asian Games Gold Medal: 2002

Iran

• ECO Cup: 1993
• LG Cup (3): 2001, 2002 (March), 2002 (September)
• Asian Games Gold Medal: 1998
• AFC–OFC Challenge Cup: 2003
• WAFF Championship: 2004

As a Manager

Saipa

• Iran Pro League: 2006–07

Iran

• WAFF Championship: 2008

Persepolis

• Hazfi Cup: 2009–10, 2010–11

Naft Tehran

• Hazfi Cup: 2016–17

Individual Awards

• AFC Asian Cup Team of the Tournament: 1996
• AFC Asian Cup top goalscorer: 1996
• AFC Asian Player of the Month: August 1997
• AFC Asian Footballer of the Year: 1999
• IFFHS World's Top Goal Scorer: 2000 (20 goals)
• Order of Courage: 2005
• Asian Football Hall of Fame: 2014
• IFFHS Legends: 2016
• AFC Asian Cup Fans' All Time Best XI: 2018
• IFFHS Asian Men's Team of the 20th Century: 1901–2000
• Iranian Manager of the Year: 2006
• Nominated for FIFA World Player of the Year: 1997, 2001
• AFC Asian Cup All-time XI: 2023

See also

In Spanish: Ali Daei para niños

• List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
• List of top international men's football goal scorers by country
• List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals
• Glyptothorax alidaeii

Images for kids

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  Daei at the game Gostaresh vs Saba Qom

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  Daei coaching Persepolis in a match against Naft Tehran

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  Daei in Persepolis training