Ali Daei
Ali Daei (born 21 March 1969) is an Iranian soccer player.[1] He was the captain of the Iranian national team for many years and played in Germany's top league. He was a great scorer and known for his strong headers. Daei was the world's top international goal-scorer for a long time until Cristiano Ronaldo scored more goals.[2] After he stopped playing, Daei worked for FIFA and was named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.[3]
 Daei in 2016 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ali Daei | ||
| Date of birth | 21 March 1969 | ||
| Place of birth | Ardabil, Iran | ||
| Height | 1.92 m (6 ft 31⁄2 in) | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Saipa (manager) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1983–1988 | Esteghlal Ardabil | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1988–1989 | Esteghlal Ardabil | ||
| 1989–1990 | Taxirani | ||
| 1990–1994 | Bank Tejarat | ||
| 1994–1996 | Persepolis | 38 | (28) |
| 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 | 25 | (11) |
| 2003–2004 | Persepolis | 28 | (16) |
| 2004–2006 | Saba Battery | 51 | (23) |
| 2006–2007 | Saipa | 26 | (10) |
| Total | 287 | (152) | |
| National team | |||
| 2002 | Iran U23 | 3 | (3) |
| 1993–2006 | Iran | 149 | (109) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 2006–2008 | Saipa | ||
| 2008–2009 | Iran | ||
| 2009–2011 | Persepolis | ||
| 2011–2013 | Rah Ahan | ||
| 2013–2014 | Persepolis | ||
| 2015–2016 | Saba Qom | ||
| 2016–2017 | Naft Tehran | ||
| 2017– | Saipa | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only | |||
Early life
Relationships
Iranian journalist Camelia Entekhabifard mentioned in her memoir that she married Ali Daei in 1997, but the couple later separated.
Business Ventures and Philanthropy
Ali Daei owns a sportswear company called Daei Sport's Wears & Equipments, which produces jerseys for Iranian sports clubs and teams worldwide, including the Iranian national team. He has made large charitable donations and participated in charity football matches globally. He appeared in events like the "World vs. Bosnia" match alongside players like Roberto Baggio and in a UNICEF commercial with David Beckham and Madeleine Albright. On 18 July 2007, Daei played for 10 minutes in a match called 90 Minutes for Mandela, celebrating Nelson Mandela’s birthday.
Religion
Daei is a Shia Muslim. While playing for Bayern Munich, he refused to pose with a glass of beer for an Erdinger advertisement, as alcohol is forbidden in his religion.
Autobiography
In 2008, Daei announced he was writing an autobiography that would cover both good and difficult moments in his life. The book was supposed to release in 2010, but it has not yet been published.
Accident
On 17 March 2012, Daei’s car overturned while driving from Isfahan to Tehran with his brother after his team, Rah Ahan, lost a match. He was taken to a hospital in Kashan and later moved to Laleh Hospital in Tehran. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA President Sepp Blatter wished him a speedy recovery.
Street Attack
In November 2020, Daei was attacked by two thieves trying to steal his gold necklace in Tehran. Police arrested the thieves a few days later.
Politics and Activism
On 26 December 2022, a flight carrying Daei’s wife and daughter to Dubai was forced to return to Kish Island. This incident happened after Daei showed support for anti-government protests in Iran.
Club career statistics
| Club performance | League | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals |
| Iran | League | |||
| 1994/95 | Persepolis | Azadegan League | 25 | 15 |
| 1995/96 | 13 | 8 | ||
| Qatar | League | |||
| 1996/97 | Al-Sadd | Stars League | 16 | 10 |
| Germany | League | |||
| 1997/98 | Arminia Bielefeld | Bundesliga | 25 | 7 |
| 1998/99 | Bayern Munich | Bundesliga | 23 | 6 |
| 1999/00 | Hertha Berlin | Bundesliga | 28 | 3 |
| 2000/01 | 23 | 3 | ||
| 2001/02 | 8 | 0 | ||
| United Arab Emirates | League | |||
| 2002/03 | Al-Shabab Dubai | UAE League | 25 | 11 |
| Iran | League | |||
| 2003/04 | Persepolis | Pro League | 28 | 16 |
| 2004/05 | Saba Battery | Pro League | 25 | 12 |
| 2005/06 | 26 | 11 | ||
| 2006/07 | Saipa | Persian Gulf Cup | 26 | 10 |
| Country | Iran | 143 | 72 | |
| Qatar | 16 | 10 | ||
| Germany | 107 | 19 | ||
| United Arab Emirates | 25 | 11 | ||
| Total | 291 | 112 | ||
International career statistics
| Iran national team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 1993 | 16 | 7 |
| 1994 | 1 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 | 18 | 22 |
| 1997 | 17 | 9 |
| 1998 | 13 | 9 |
| 1999 | 5 | 2 |
| 2000 | 19 | 20 |
| 2001 | 16 | 10 |
| 2002 | 4 | 2 |
| 2003 | 9 | 5 |
| 2004 | 16 | 17 |
| 2005 | 9 | 4 |
| 2006 | 6 | 2 |
| Total | 149 | 109 |
Ali Daei Media
Daei (left) in action against Laos in an international game, 2004
Ali Daei - Gostaresh vs. Saba Qom
Daei coaching Persepolis in a match against Naft Tehran, 23 August 2013
Daei in Persepolis training
References
- ↑ "Ali Daei: The Iranian Football Legend". 2024-09-22. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
- ↑ "Ali Daei - Century of International Appearances". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ↑ "UNICEF appoints Daei GMCJ goodwill harbinger". web.archive.org. 2018-07-27. Archived from the original on 2018-07-27. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ↑ "Ali Daei - Century of International Appearances". www.rsssf.com.
Other websites
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