Ali Daei

Ali Daei, born on March 21, 1969, in Ardabil, Iran, is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers in Asian history and held the record for most international goals (109) for over a decade until Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed it in 2021. Daei began his football journey at Tarbiat Moallem University in Tehran before joining Bank Melli in the local league. His exceptional goal-scoring ability quickly caught the attention of European scouts, leading to a historic move to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga in 1997, making him one of the first Iranians to play in a top European league. At Bayern Munich, Daei scored 23 goals in 67 appearances and helped the club reach the UEFA Champions League final in 1999, though they lost to Manchester United in injury time. After his European stint, Daei played for Hertha Berlin before returning to Iran to finish his career at Persepolis. Internationally, Daei scored a remarkable 109 goals in 149 appearances for Iran between 1990 and 2006, a record that stood for years. He represented Iran in two FIFA World Cups (1998 and 2006) and was known for his aerial ability, clinical finishing, and leadership. After retiring, Daei became a successful businessman, launching his own sportswear brand Dejvish and managing several Iranian clubs. He remains a national icon and inspiration for Iranian athletes worldwide.