Ali Daei

1.1. Birth and Education

Ali Daei was born on March 21, 1969, in Ardabil, Iran, to an Iranian Azerbaijani family. His father was highly dedicated to his education, prioritizing academic pursuits over football in his early years. Despite this, Daei secretly pursued his passion for football, receiving a football from his mother to practice. He successfully balanced his studies with sports, graduating from Sharif University of Technology with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Materials Engineering (Metallurgical). Later in his career, he also captained and coached the Islamic Azad University football team, further highlighting his continued involvement in higher education sports.

1.2. Early Club Career in Iran

Daei began his professional playing career at the age of 19 with his hometown club, Esteghlal Ardabil. After one season, he moved to Taxirani F.C. in Tehran, where he played for a single year before joining another Tehran-based club, Bank Tejarat F.C.. His tenure at Bank Tejarat lasted four years, during which he scored an impressive 49 goals in 75 appearances. Following his success with Bank Tejarat, Daei transferred to one of Tehran's leading clubs, Persepolis F.C., in 1994. From 1994 to 1996, he continued his prolific goal-scoring form, netting 23 goals in 38 games for Persepolis.

In 1994, prior to the start of the J-League, Japanese club Júbilo Iwata attempted to sign Daei. However, after three months, he was unable to obtain an exit permit from Iran, and the transfer ultimately fell through. In early 1996, he was also close to signing a contract with South Korean club Anyang LG, but a recent knee surgery posed an issue during his medical and entrance tests, preventing the deal from finalizing. After these attempts, he moved to play in Europe.

2.1. European Club Career

Following his impressive performance at the 1996 AFC Asian Cup, Ali Daei moved to Al Sadd SC in Qatar for the 1996-1997 season. In 1997, he made a significant move to the German Bundesliga, joining Arminia Bielefeld alongside his Iranian national teammate Karim Bagheri. His stint in Germany continued as he transferred to Bayern Munich for the 1998-1999 season. Although Bayern Munich won the 1999 Bundesliga title, Daei found limited playing time due to intense competition and his commitments with the Iranian national team. Unhappy with his club position, he decided to move to Hertha BSC before the completion of his three-year contract.

At Hertha BSC, Daei made history by becoming the first Asian player to feature in a UEFA Champions League match. He scored his first two goals in the UEFA Champions League on September 21, 1999, in a group stage match against Chelsea, which Hertha won 2-1. He also notably scored in a 1-1 draw against A.C. Milan at the iconic San Siro stadium. During his time at Hertha, he was considered an influential player, contributing to the club's aspirations in both the Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League.

2.2. Return to Iranian League

After his European career, Daei returned to Asia. In 2001, despite playing in numerous continental friendlies against world-class opposition, he struggled to maintain a stable position in Hertha's starting lineup. He did not rank among the top scorers in the Asian Qualifying round and failed to lead the team to the World Cup as captain for the first time. At 34 years old, he joined the UAE league, signing with Al-Shabab as a free agent in 2002.

In 2003, Daei left the UAE team and returned to his former club, Persepolis F.C., in Tehran. After a season with Persepolis, he moved to Saba Battery on a free transfer for a modest contract of around 300.00 K USD. He spent two years at Saba Battery, scoring 23 goals, and winning the Hazfi Cup and participating in the AFC Champions League. Following the 2006 FIFA World Cup and the arrival of a new manager, Farhad Kazemi, at Saba Battery, Daei was informed that his contract would not be renewed. Despite rumors of his retirement, he signed with another Tehran-based club, Saipa F.C., on August 1, 2006.

On March 6, 2007, Daei was fined 2.00 K USD and suspended for four games by the Iranian Football Federation due to an incident in a league game where he head-butted Sheys Rezaei. On May 28, 2007, after Saipa won the 2006-07 Persian Gulf Cup in a match against Mes Kerman, Daei officially announced his retirement from club football, stating his intention to focus solely on his coaching career.

2.3. International Career

Ali Daei's international career with the Iran national team was exceptionally prolific. He made his debut on June 6, 1993, in an ECO Cup tournament held in Tehran against Pakistan. He was named the top scorer of the final Asian round of the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifications, netting four goals in five matches, including a decisive second goal against Japan.

In 1996, Daei was named the world's top scorer in official international competitions by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), having scored 20 goals for Iran in competitive matches that year. This included a notable four-goal haul against South Korea in the 1996 AFC Asian Cup. By the end of the 1996 Asian Cup, he had accumulated 29 goals in 38 appearances for Iran. In the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, he once again topped the scoring charts with nine goals in 17 matches, bringing his total to 38 goals in 52 international appearances. In the 1998 FIFA World Cup main tournament, he did not score but provided an assist for Mehdi Mahdavikia in the group stage match against the United States.

Daei joined the exclusive group of players with a century of international caps. On November 28, 2003, during an AFC Asian Cup qualifier in Tehran against Lebanon, he scored his 85th international goal, surpassing the legendary Hungarian player Ferenc Puskás to become the all-time leading scorer in international matches at that time. On November 17, 2004, he made history again by scoring four goals against Laos in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier, reaching a milestone of 102 goals and becoming the first male player ever to score 100 goals in international play.

Despite some criticism regarding his fitness and the perceived lack of opportunities for younger players, Daei participated in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, featuring in two group stage matches. He consistently defended his position in the national team, rejecting claims that he was too old. Ali Daei concluded his international career with a remarkable 109 goals in 148 appearances for Iran, a world record that stood until September 2021 when it was surpassed by Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo. In 2024, Lionel Messi also surpassed his record, placing Daei third on the all-time list. Daei expressed his honor, stating on Instagram, "I am honoured that this remarkable achievement will belong to Ronaldo."

2.4. College Career

Ali Daei also significantly contributed to college football during his career. In the 2007 World Interuniversity Games, he captained the Islamic Azad University football team, leading them to a gold medal victory. In the final match against the University of Osijek, Daei scored a hat-trick, securing the championship for his team. His involvement extended beyond playing; in the 2007 Summer Universiade, Daei served as the head coach for the Iran student national team. Furthermore, he was the technical manager of the Islamic Azad University team during the 2009 World Interuniversity Games.

2.5. Playing Style

As a forward, Ali Daei was renowned for his distinctive and highly effective playing style. Standing at 6.3 ft ^{(1.92 m)}, he earned the nickname "Persian Tower" due to his towering physical presence and exceptional aerial ability. Daei was a prolific goal-scorer, with his heading accuracy being a particular strength. He was adept at challenging for and winning aerial duels, allowing him to score numerous goals from crosses and set-pieces. His physical prowess and ability to consistently find the back of the net made him a formidable opponent and a key attacking threat throughout his career.

2.6. Retirement as Player

Ali Daei officially announced his retirement from playing professional football on May 28, 2007. This announcement came shortly after his club, Saipa F.C., secured the 2006-07 Persian Gulf Cup championship in a match against Mes Kerman. His decision marked the end of a decorated playing career, as he chose to fully concentrate on his burgeoning career as a football manager.

3.1. Early Managerial Roles

Ali Daei began his managerial career at Saipa F.C.. On October 8, 2006, he was appointed as the interim manager of Saipa following the sudden departure of the club's German coach, Werner Lorant. He was later officially confirmed as the full-time manager. In his very first season at the helm, Saipa became the Persian Gulf Cup champions on May 28, 2007. Going into his second season as manager, Daei fully relinquished his playing duties to concentrate on coaching full-time. The 2007-2008 campaign saw Saipa finish 11th in the 18-team Iran Pro League table. However, Daei notably led Saipa to an AFC Champions League quarterfinal berth before departing to take over as the full-time manager of the Iranian national football team.

3.2. Iran National Football Team Manager

On March 2, 2008, the IRIFF officially appointed Ali Daei as the new head coach of the Iran national football team. Despite admitting his appointment was a "surprise," Daei initially continued his coaching duties at Saipa, balancing both roles until Saipa's participation in the AFC Champions League quarterfinals concluded. After this, he mutually agreed to leave Saipa.

While Daei guided Iran to a respectable record of 16 wins, 6 draws, and 3 losses, his tenure as national team coach was ultimately cut short. The turning point came on March 28, 2009, when Iran suffered a 1-0 loss to Saudi Arabia in Tehran during a 2010 World Cup Qualifier. This defeat proved to be the final straw, and Daei was dismissed as head coach the day after the match. During his time as national team manager, Iran recorded its weakest World Cup Qualification results, with only one win out of five World Cup Qualifier games. Although Daei introduced many new players such as Gholamreza Rezaei and Ehsan Hajsafi, his squad was often subject to flux regarding player invitations. Critics pointed to the team's struggles to score goals and an unsolved weakness in central defense as key factors in his downfall.

3.3. Club Management in Iran

Ali Daei embarked on a significant club management career in Iran after his stint with the national team, leading various prominent clubs.

In 2009, Daei declined an offer to manage Rah Ahan F.C., with widespread speculation that he would eventually take over Persepolis F.C.. On December 28, 2009, Daei was indeed appointed as the coach of Persepolis. At the conclusion of the 2009-10 season, Persepolis finished fourth in the league but secured the Hazfi Cup championship, defeating Gostaresh Foolad Tabriz 4-1 on aggregate in the final to qualify for the 2011 AFC Champions League. In the 2010-11 season, Persepolis again finished fourth in the league and was eliminated in the group stage of the 2011 AFC Champions League. However, they once more won the 2010-11 Hazfi Cup by defeating rivals Foolad and Malavan. Despite facing numerous challenges, including disputes with club chairman Habib Kashani, Daei managed to lead Persepolis to back-to-back Hazfi Cup titles for the first time in 13 seasons, earning significant affection from the fans. After a public contention with Kashani, Daei stated, "I won't work with Kashani Anymore," and resigned on June 21, 2011, after briefly being re-appointed.

On July 14, 2011, Daei signed a one-year contract as head coach of Rah Ahan F.C.. In his first match, his team drew 2-2 with Zob Ahan F.C.. He guided the club to an 11th-place finish in his inaugural season. During the 2012-13 Iran Pro League season, Daei actively promoted young players like Mojtaba Shiri and Omid Alishah. Rah Ahan concluded the season in 8th place, marking the club's best league finish since 1937. His popularity led to increased viewership for Rah Ahan's matches, and for the second consecutive year, Daei's team defeated his former club, Persepolis. Despite rumors linking him to other clubs, Daei expressed his desire to stay with Rah Ahan to "build a team that can qualify for the AFC Champions League." However, his contract was terminated on May 20, 2013, paving the way for his return to Persepolis.

On May 20, 2013, after extensive negotiations, Daei signed a three-year contract to become the head coach of Persepolis F.C. for his second stint. He officially commenced his duties on June 1, 2013. His first match back was a 1-0 victory against Tractor S.C.. At the end of his first year in his second spell, his side finished as runners-up, two points behind champions Foolad. However, he was sacked on September 10, 2014, following a disappointing start to the 2014-15 Iran Pro League season.

On July 1, 2015, Daei became the head coach of Saba Qom F.C. under a two-year contract. Over two seasons with Saba, he guided the team to ninth and seventh-place finishes in the Persian Gulf Pro League. He left Saba a few weeks before the 2016-17 season due to uncertainties surrounding the club's ownership situation.

Daei took charge of Naft Tehran F.C. on July 5, 2016, signing a two-year contract as a replacement for Alireza Mansourian. He successfully led Naft Tehran to the Hazfi Cup title. Despite this success, he departed the club at the end of the season.

Finally, Daei returned to manage Saipa F.C. on May 14, 2017, the club where he initiated his coaching career in 2006 and led to a league title in 2007. He managed the club for two seasons before being sacked at the end of the 2018-19 Persian Gulf Pro League season.

4.1. FIFA and Goodwill Ambassadorship

In 2001, Ali Daei was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, a role through which he actively engaged in philanthropic activities. He has made substantial charitable donations and participated in numerous charity football matches worldwide, including a "World vs. Bosnia" match alongside football legends like Roberto Baggio. Daei also notably appeared in a UNICEF commercial alongside David Beckham and Madeleine Albright, consistently demonstrating his commitment to the organization's humanitarian efforts. From 2007 to 2013, Daei served as a member of the FIFA Football Committee, contributing to the governance and development of international football.

4.2. Involvement in International Football Events

Ali Daei's stature in global football has led to his involvement in major international events. He was among the distinguished personnel invited to participate in the 2022 FIFA World Cup draw, which took place in Qatar on April 1, 2022. This participation underscored his continued recognition and influence within the international football community.

5.1. Family and Personal Relationships

Publicly, Ali Daei is known to be married to Mona Farrokhazari, and they have a daughter. An Iranian journalist, Camelia Entekhabifard, also wrote in her memoirs about a marriage to Daei in 1997, which later ended in separation.

5.2. Business Ventures and Philanthropy

Daei is a notable entrepreneur, owning his own football jersey manufacturing company called Daei Sport's Wears & Equipments. This company produces sportswear for various Iranian sporting clubs and league clubs globally. Notably, Daei Sport has also manufactured jerseys for the Iran national football team. In addition to his business ventures, Daei is recognized for his extensive charitable contributions and active participation in various charity football matches worldwide.

5.3. Religious and Personal Beliefs

Ali Daei is a devout follower of Shia Islam. His religious convictions have publicly influenced his actions; for example, during his time playing for Bayern Munich, he notably refused to hold a glass of beer for an advertisement by the brewery Erdinger, citing that alcoholic beverages are forbidden in his religion.

5.4. Significant Personal Incidents and Activism

Ali Daei has faced several notable personal incidents and has become a prominent voice for social causes in Iran.

On March 17, 2012, Daei was involved in a serious car accident when his vehicle overturned while he was driving back to Tehran from Isfahan with his brother. The incident occurred shortly after his team, Rah Ahan F.C., had been defeated by Sepahan. He was subsequently hospitalized near Kashan and later transferred to Laleh Hospital in Tehran. While initial reports raised concerns, his condition was quickly stabilized. The incident drew international attention, with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) issuing a statement wishing him a speedy recovery and acknowledging him as a "true icon of Asian football." FIFA President Sepp Blatter also expressed his shock and wished for Daei's recovery via Twitter.

In November 2020, Daei was attacked by two thieves in Tehran who attempted to steal his gold necklace. Police swiftly arrested the perpetrators a few days after the incident.

More recently, Ali Daei has emerged as a significant figure in Iranian activism, taking a strong stance in support of the Mahsa Amini protests. On December 26, 2022, his wife, Mona Farrokhazari, and daughter were reportedly forced to return to Kish Island after an international flight carrying them to Dubai was diverted. This action by Iranian authorities was widely attributed to Daei's outspoken support for the anti-government protests, highlighting the pressure faced by public figures in Iran for their social and political views. This incident underscored his commitment to advocating for human rights and social progress despite potential personal repercussions.

6.1. Player Honours

• 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 Pro League: 2006-07
• Iran U23**:
  • Asian Games Gold Medal: 2002
• Iran National Football Team**:
  • ECO Cup: 1993
  • LG Cup (3): 2001, 2002 March, 2002 September
  • Asian Games Gold Medal: 1998
  • AFC-OFC Challenge Cup: 2003
  • WAFF Championship: 2004
  • AFC Asian Cup 3rd Place: 1996, 2004

6.2. Managerial Honours

• Saipa**:
  • Iran Pro League: 2006-07
• Iran National Football Team**:
  • WAFF Championship: 2008
• Persepolis**:
  • Hazfi Cup: 2009-10, 2010-11
• Saba Qom**:
  • Shohada Cup: 2016
• Naft Tehran**:
  • Hazfi Cup: 2016-17

6.3. Individual Honours

• AFC Asian Cup Team of the Tournament: 1996
• AFC Asian Cup top goalscorer: 1996 (8 goals)
• 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
• Asian Games Top Goalscorer: 1998 (9 goals)
• Persian Gulf Pro League Top Goalscorer: 2003-04 (16 goals)

7.1. Overall Legacy

Ali Daei is widely regarded as one of the most iconic figures in Iranian sports history and a representative of Asian football globally. His incredible goal-scoring prowess, particularly his long-standing record as the world's leading international male goal-scorer, established him as a legendary striker. The nickname "Persian Tower" accurately reflects his physical dominance and aerial threat. His contributions as both a player and a manager have left an indelible mark on Iranian and Asian football, inspiring countless individuals and elevating the profile of the sport in the region.

7.2. Anecdotes and Cultural Impact

Daei's personal anecdotes contribute to his cultural impact and public image. As a child, his father strongly encouraged academic pursuits, and Daei would secretly practice football after receiving a ball from his mother, highlighting his early dedication to the sport. He is also known for his pro-Japanese sentiment, which stemmed from his experience at the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima. During his hospitalization there due to an injury, he was deeply touched by the kindness of Japanese doctors and nurses. This experience fostered a lasting admiration for Japan; he has cited Seven Samurai as a favorite film and notably commented in 2005, "I believed Iran and Japan would qualify (for the World Cup) from the start." His public image in Iran is further shaped by his entrepreneurial success with Daei Sport, which even produced jerseys for the national team, and his notable charitable contributions. More recently, his outspoken support for the Mahsa Amini protests has elevated him to a symbol of social and political conscience in Iran and garnered international attention.

8.1. Club Career Statistics

8.2. International Career Statistics