Iranian · Ardabil, Iran · Born 21 March 1969Iranian footballer who became the first player to score 100+ international goals, netting 109 times for Iran and playing for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.
Ali Daei became the first men's international footballer to score 100 goals, finishing his Iran career with 109 goals in 149 caps, a world record for men's international scoring that stood for nearly two decades until Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed it. A powerful, aerially dominant striker, he was named AFC Player of the Year and won two Asian Games gold medals with Iran, and remains a revered figure in Iranian football for his role captaining the national team through its most successful era.
First footballer to score 100+ international goals
He was the first footballer to score 100 international goals — a record that stood until Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed it in 2021.
Did You Know?How They Played
Clinical striker with excellent aerial ability and positioning in the box
Lasting Impact
Iran's greatest goalscorer and most capped player, inspiring a generation of Iranian footballers
Career Honours
- First player to score 100 international goals
- 109 Iran goals in 149 caps
- AFC Player of Year
- Asian Cup 1996
- Asian Games Gold Medal 1998
- Asian Games Gold Medal 2002
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Persepolis | 1993–1996 | — | — |
| Arminia Bielefeld | 1997–1998 | 24 | 3 |
| Taxirani Tehran | 1988–1990 | 0 | 0 |
| Bank Tejarat | 1990–1993 | 0 | 0 |
| Al Sadd | 1997–1999 | 0 | 32 |
| Bayern Munich | 1998–2000 | 23 | 6 |
| Hertha Berlin | 2000–2002 | 44 | 21 |
| Al Shabab | 2003–2006 | 0 | 0 |
| Saba Battery | 2006–2007 | 0 | 0 |
 Iranian | — | 149 | 109 |
Iranian Athletes