Iran's greatest footballer and the first player in history to score 100 international goals — Ali Daei's achievement predated Cristiano Ronaldo's and Lionel Messi's pursuit of the record by over a decade, and was made more remarkable by the level of opposition Iran faced in Asian qualification. 109 goals in 149 international appearances for Iran across a career spanning the mid-1990s to the late 2000s made him the most prolific international scorer of the pre-Ronaldo generation. His club career in Germany with Arminia Bielefeld, Bayern Munich and Hertha Berlin demonstrated the quality required to compete in European football's most competitive domestic league
Football at the highest level rewards technical mastery, physical conditioning and the mental fortitude to perform consistently across a long and unrelenting career. Career highlights included First player to score 100 international goals, 109 Iran goals in 149 caps, AFC Player of Year. Ali embodied the kind of complete athlete that football produces only rarely — technically accomplished, physically prepared and mentally equipped for the full demands of elite competition. Across a career marked by sustained excellence, Ali established a legacy that endures in the record books and in the lasting memory of football fans worldwide. Ali Daei's achievements in football were built on technical discipline, physical preparation and competitive commitment that allowed performance to be maintained at the very top across multiple seasons. The dedication required to perform consistently in football at international level defined every aspect of Ali Daei's approach to the sport.
First player 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?Career Honours
- First player to score 100 international goals
- 109 Iran goals in 149 caps
- AFC Player of Year