{{short description|Iranian footballer and manager (born 1969)}} {{About|the Iranian footballer|the Senegalese footballer|Ali Dia|the Guinean footballer|Ali Badara Dia}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Ali Daei | image = Ali Daei, Saipa vs. Al-Rayyan pre-match conference.jpg | caption = Daei in 2019 | full_name = Ali Daei<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2006/PDF/FWC_2006_SquadLists.pdf |title=2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players: Iran |publisher=FIFA |page=14 |date=21 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610174527/https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2006/PDF/FWC_2006_SquadLists.pdf |archive-date=10 June 2019}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1969|3|21|df=y}} | birth_place = Ardabil, Iran | height = 1.89 m<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.teammelli.com/matchdata/details/player.php?id=275 |title=Statistics: Iran [ Team Melli] |access-date=6 November 2022 |archive-date=6 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106034833/https://www.teammelli.com/matchdata/details/player.php?id=275 |url-status=live }}</ref> | position = Centre forward | currentclub = | youthyears1 = 1983–1987 | youthclubs1 = Esteghlal Ardabil | years1 = 1987–1989 | clubs1 = Esteghlal Ardabil | caps1 = | goals1 = | years2 = 1989–1990 | clubs2 = Taxirani | caps2 = 20 | goals2 = 14 | years3 = 1990–1994 | clubs3 = Bank Tejarat | caps3 = 75 | goals3 = 49 | years4 = 1994–1996 | clubs4 = Persepolis | caps4 = 38 | goals4 = 23 | years5 = 1996–1997 | clubs5 = Al Sadd | caps5 = 16 | goals5 = 10 | years6 = 1997–1998 | clubs6 = Arminia Bielefeld | caps6 = 25 | goals6 = 7 | years7 = 1998–1999 | clubs7 = Bayern Munich | caps7 = 23 | goals7 = 6 | years8 = 1999–2002 | clubs8 = Hertha BSC | caps8 = 59 | goals8 = 6 | years9 = 2002–2003 | clubs9 = Al Shabab | caps9 = 21 | goals9 = 11 | years10 = 2003–2004 | clubs10 = Persepolis | caps10 = 28 | goals10 = 16 | years11 = 2004–2006 | clubs11 = Saba Battery | caps11 = 51 | goals11 = 23 | years12 = 2006–2007 | clubs12 = Saipa | caps12 = 26 | goals12 = 10 | totalcaps = 382 | totalgoals = 175 | nationalyears1 = 1993–2006 | nationalteam1 = Iran{{efn|The match against Ecuador Olympic team was considered official for two decades before Ecuador FA reconsidered.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mamrud |first1=Roberto |title=Ali Daei - Century of International Appearances |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/daei-intlg.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=3 February 2023 |archive-date=22 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322213123/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/daei-intlg.html |url-status=live }}</ref>}} | nationalcaps1 = 148 | nationalgoals1 = 108 | nationalyears2 = 2002 | nationalteam2 = Iran Olympic (Wild Card) | nationalcaps2 = 3 | nationalgoals2 = 3 | medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's football}} {{MedalCountry|{{fb|Iran}}}} (as player) {{MedalCompetition|AFC Asian Cup}} {{Medal|3rd|1996 United Arab Emirates|}} {{Medal|3rd|2004 China|}} {{MedalCompetition|Asian Games}} {{MedalGold|1998 Bangkok|Team}} {{MedalGold|2002 Busan|Team}} {{Medal|Competition|AFC–OFC Challenge Cup}} {{Medal|W|2003 Iran|}} {{Medal|Competition|WAFF Championship}} {{Medal|W|2004 Iran|}} {{MedalCountry|{{fb|Iran}}}} (as manager) {{Medal|Competition|WAFF Championship}} {{Medal|W|2008 Iran|}} | manageryears1 = 2006–2008 | managerclubs1 = Saipa | manageryears2 = 2007 | managerclubs2 = Iran Students | manageryears3 = 2008–2009 | managerclubs3 = Iran | manageryears4 = 2009–2011 | managerclubs4 = Persepolis F.C. | manageryears5 = 2011–2013 | managerclubs5 = Rah Ahan | manageryears6 = 2013–2014 | managerclubs6 = Persepolis | manageryears7 = 2015–2016 | managerclubs7 = Saba Qom | manageryears8 = 2016–2017 | managerclubs8 = Naft Tehran | manageryears9 = 2017–2019 | managerclubs9 = Saipa }}
'''Ali Daei'''{{efn|{{langx|fa|علی دایی}}, {{IPA|fa|ʔæliː dɑːjiː|pron|Ali Daei.ogg}}}} (born 21 March 1969) is an Iranian former professional footballer and manager who played as a striker. He was the captain of the Iranian national team between 2000 and 2006 and played in the Bundesliga for Arminia Bielefeld, Bayern Munich and Hertha Berlin. He is regarded as one of the greatest Iranian footballers of all time as well as one of the greatest footballers from Asia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.90min.com/posts/the-greatest-asian-footballers-of-all-time-ranked|title=The all-time greatest Asian footballers - ranked|date=3 March 2021|website=90min.com|access-date=2 November 2021|archive-date=11 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211075953/https://www.90min.com/posts/the-greatest-asian-footballers-of-all-time-ranked|url-status=live}}</ref> Daei is the all-time Asian men's top goal scorer in international football (108).
A tall forward, Daei was a prolific goal-scorer, who was known for his heading accuracy and ability in the air.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensyoutholympic/news/the-giants-the-game-1002634 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509103027/https://www.fifa.com/womensyoutholympic/news/the%2Dgiants%2Dthe%2Dgame%2D1002634 |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 May 2021 |title=The giants of the game |publisher=FIFA.com |date=23 January 2009 |access-date=1 June 2020 }}</ref> He was the world's top international goal-scorer with 109 goals<ref>{{cite news |title=Ali Daei in Guinness World Records 2014 as best goalscorer |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/daei-intlg.html |access-date=17 November 2019 |agency=IRNA |archive-date=22 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322213123/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/daei-intlg.html |url-status=live }}</ref> until his record was broken by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2021 and went to third after being surpassed again by Lionel Messi in 2024. During his playing career, Daei was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2001.<ref>{{citation|title=UNICEF appoints Daei GMCJ goodwill harbinger|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/01/sep/1018.html|date=1 September 2001|access-date=29 June 2018|via=Payvand News|work=IRNA|archive-date=27 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727024447/http://www.payvand.com/news/01/sep/1018.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Following his retirement, Daei served as a member of the FIFA Football Committee between 2007 and 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/bodies/standingcommittees/committee=1882038.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110625051756/http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/bodies/standingcommittees/committee=1882038.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 June 2011|title=FIFA Football Committee|work=fifa.com|access-date=30 July 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |script-title=fa:حذف نام علی دایی از کمیته فوتبال فیفا |url=http://fararu.com/fa/news/146067 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411154035/http://fararu.com/fa/news/146067 |archive-date=11 April 2013 |access-date=17 June 2013 |publisher=fararu.com |language=fa}}</ref> In 2014, he was inducted into the Asian Football Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kewell, Hong, Daei among AFC's first Hall of Fame inductees |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/soccer-asia-halloffame/kewell-hong-daei-among-afcs-first-hall-of-fame-inductees-idINKCN0J50YG20141121 |publisher=Reuters |date=21 November 2014 |access-date=14 December 2020 |archive-date=1 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901182718/https://uk.reuters.com/article/soccer-asia-halloffame/kewell-hong-daei-among-afcs-first-hall-of-fame-inductees-idINKCN0J50YG20141121 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Club career==
===Early years===
Daei was born in Ardabil, Imperial Iran, to an Iranian Azerbaijani family.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/ali-daei-cristiano-ronaldo-iran-portugal-goalscoring-record-international |title=Ali Daei: The Iranian icon set to be dethroned by Cristiano Ronaldo |work=Middle East Eye |first=Rayhan |last=Uddin |date=27 June 2021 |quote=Born to Iranian Azeri parents in the ancient northwestern city of Ardabil, Daei's father did not want him to pursue football until he graduated from high school. |access-date=29 November 2022 |archive-date=29 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129192138/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/ali-daei-cristiano-ronaldo-iran-portugal-goalscoring-record-international |url-status=live }}</ref> Daei graduated from Aryamher University of Technology in Materials Engineering (Metallurgical) with a BSc. degree. He began his playing career at 19 with his hometown club Esteghlal Ardabil. His next club was Taxirani F.C. in Tehran, where he played for one season, before joining another Tehran-based club, Bank Tejarat. His tenure with Bank Tejarat lasted four years, scoring 49 goals in 75 games.<ref>{{cite web |date=24 October 2012 |title=علی دایی و مرحوم حجازی در تیم بانک تجارت |url=https://www.khabaronline.ir/detail/253509/sport/premiere-league |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727024253/https://www.khabaronline.ir/detail/253509/sport/premiere-league |archive-date=27 July 2018 |access-date=29 July 2018 |website=khabaronline.ir |language=fa}}</ref>
===Move to Europe=== After his success with Bank Tejarat FC, in 1994, Daei joined one of Tehran's leading clubs, Persepolis. He scored 23 goals in 38 games for the club from 1994 to 1996. Following his impressive performance in the Asian Cup in 1996, he moved to Al Sadd for the 1996–1997 season before joining Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefeld in 1997 alongside fellow Iranian national teammate Karim Bagheri.
Yet at Bayern, he found himself low in the pecking order. This, coupled with the Iranian national team's scheduling, Daei had found very little time for playing. Daei was unhappy with his club position and decided to move to Hertha BSC before the end of his three-year contract when Bayern won the championship title in the 1999 Bundesliga.
Daei became the first Asian player to feature in a UEFA Champions League match. He scored his first and second goal in the UEFA Champions League on 21 September 1999 in a group stage match against Chelsea, won by Hertha 2–1.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/champions_league/454002.stm|title=Chelsea crash in Berlin|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 September 1999|access-date=2 October 2018|archive-date=11 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211075416/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/champions_league/454002.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> He also scored in a 1–1 draw against A.C. Milan at the San Siro.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/57140--milan-vs-hertha/ |title=Milan-Hertha |publisher=UEFA |date=21 September 1999 |access-date=2 October 2018 |archive-date=2 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002180607/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/history/season=1999/matches/round=1286/match=57140/index.html?iv=true |url-status=live }}</ref> At Hertha he was a hugely influential player since he was only one of the squad's many successful players, who were to fulfill Hertha's Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League dreams.
===Return to Asia===
Daei was playing in numerous continental friendlies against world-class opposition, yet was still unable to maintain a stable position in his club's starting line-up. In 2001, he was not among the top scorers in the Asian Qualifying round and he did not manage to take the team into the World Cup as captain for the first time. He joined the UAE league at 34 years of age, signing a contract with Al-Shabab as a free agent. In 2003, Daei quit the UAE team and joined his team in Tehran, Persepolis. Daei moved from Persepolis to Saba Battery on a free transfer for a modest contract of around $300,000.
He spent two years at Saba Battery, scoring 23 goals, winning the Hazfi Cup and participating in the Asian Champions League. After World Cup 2006 and the arrival of Saba Battery's new manager, Farhad Kazemi, it was announced that he was no longer needed on the team and his contract would not be renewed. Despite rumors of retirement, he signed for another industry-linked club from Tehran, Saipa, on 1 August 2006.<ref>{{cite web |script-title=fa:علي دايي با قراردادي يك ساله به تيم سايپا پيوست |url=http://www.isna.ir/Main/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-763609&Lang=P |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080110054512/http://www.isna.ir/Main/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-763609&Lang=P |archive-date=10 January 2008 |access-date=1 August 2006 |publisher=ISNA |language=fa}}</ref>
On 6 March 2007, Ali Daei was fined $2000 and suspended for four games by the Iranian Football Federation after the incidents in a league game where he delivered a head-butt to the face of Sheys Rezaei.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ali Daei suspended for 4 games |url=http://www.irankicks.com/newscast/data/fullstory/EEZFkpAElZxnagvgXZ.php |publisher=IRNA |access-date=7 March 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928035202/http://www.irankicks.com/newscast/data/fullstory/EEZFkpAElZxnagvgXZ.php |archive-date=28 September 2007 }}</ref>
On 28 May 2007, after Saipa won the 2006–07 Persian Gulf Cup in a match vs Mes Kerman, Daei announced his retirement from playing club football and that he would concentrate on his coaching career.<ref>{{cite web |script-title=fa:علي دايي رسما از فوتبال كنارهگيري كرد |url=http://isna.ir/Main/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-933074&Lang=P |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070531063159/http://isna.ir/Main/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-933074&Lang=P |archive-date=31 May 2007 |access-date=28 May 2007 |publisher=ISNA |language=fa}}{{cite news |date=30 May 2007 |title=Ali Daei calls it a day |url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21821322-2883,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629175457/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21821322-2883,00.html |archive-date=29 June 2012 |access-date=4 June 2007 |publisher=Herald Sun}}</ref>
==International career== [[File:Ali daei laos.jpg|thumb|Daei (left) in action against Laos in an international game, 2004]] Daei was named the World's top scorer in official international competitions by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), having scored 20 goals in competitive matches for Iran in 1996, including his famous four-goal haul against South Korea in Asian Cup 1996. By the end of the 1996 Asian Cup, he had scored 29 goals in 38 appearances for Iran. In the 1998 World Cup qualifying campaign, he was again on top of the charts, scoring nine goals in 17 matches for Iran, reaching at that time, 38 goals in 52 appearances for his country.
Daei joined the exclusive circle of players with a century of caps. In a 28 November 2003 Asian Cup qualifier in Tehran against Lebanon, he scored his 85th international goal, elevating him past the Hungarian Ferenc Puskás to top the all-time list of scorers in international matches.<ref>https://thesefootballtimes.co/2018/06/25/ali-daei-the-iran-hero-who-bagged-109-international-goals/</ref> On 17 November 2004, he scored four goals against Laos in a World Cup qualifier, giving him 102 goals and making him the first male player to score 100 goals in international play. He has 148 caps for Iran and, as of December 2025, is ranked joint 48th among the world's most capped players list.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/century.html | title = Players with 100+ Caps and 30+ International Goals | website = RSSSF | date = 15 March 2017 | access-date = 1 July 2017 | first1 = Roberto | last1 = Mamrud | first2 = Karel | last2 = Stokkermans | archive-date = 28 June 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110628192800/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/century.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
Daei made his debut for ''Team Melli'' at the 1993 ECO Cup tournament held in Tehran. He continued his national team appearances and was named the top scorer of the final Asian round of 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifications with four goals in 5 matches. thumb|Iran at FIFA World Cup Qualifier 2006 On 17 November 2004, Daei became the first male footballer with 100 international goals when he scored four times against Laos in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/04/nov/1152.html|title=Iranian striker Ali Daei becomes the first man to score 100 goals|website=www.payvand.com|access-date=7 June 2022|archive-date=4 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404103756/http://www.payvand.com/news/04/nov/1152.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Daei makes history|date=19 November 2004|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/daei-makes-history-20041119-gdz0xu.html|work=The Age}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/en/news/articles/ali-daei-iran-interview-one-hundred-goals|title=Daei: It's a great honour to be alongside Ronaldo and Messi|date=17 November 2024|publisher=FIFA|access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref>
Despite criticism, Daei played in the 2006 FIFA World Cup; the complaints, however, were directed more at his fitness and the inability of younger players to play a part in the World Cup. From Iranian media calling for his retirement, Ali Daei has always defended his position in ''Team Melli'' and has rejected that he was too old to play for the team.<ref>{{cite web |title=Iran's Daei denies he is past his best |url=http://www.iransportspress.com/?c=165&a=3306 |agency=Reuters |access-date=7 March 2008 |archive-date=10 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080110104739/http://www.iransportspress.com/?c=165&a=3306 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.hamshahrionline.ir/hamnews/1384/840115/news/vrzsh.htm | script-title = fa:دايي هنوز مهاجم اول تيم ملي است | language = fa | publisher = hamshahrionline.ir | access-date = 21 June 2012 | title = Hamshahri Newspaper | archive-date = 24 September 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120924185926/http://www.hamshahrionline.ir/hamnews/1384/840115/news/vrzsh.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>
Daei ended his international career with 109 goals (since downgraded to 108),<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ali-daei-cristiano-ronaldo-all-time-international-top-goalscorers-record-iran-bayern-munich |title=Who is Ali Daei? The only man ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo in the all-time global goalscorers list |first=Chris |last=Flanagan |date=9 September 2020 |website=fourfourtwo.com |access-date=7 June 2022 |archive-date=7 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607215849/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ali-daei-cristiano-ronaldo-all-time-international-top-goalscorers-record-iran-bayern-munich |url-status=live}}</ref> an all-time record<ref>{{cite news|last=Daei|first=Ali|date=12 February 2021|title=Iran's Ali Daei is world's top goal scorer; he is ahead of even Cristiano Ronaldo|work=The Siasat Daily|url=https://www.siasat.com/irans-ali-daei-is-worlds-top-goal-scorer-he-is-ahead-of-even-cristiano-ronaldo-2088760/|access-date=|archive-date=12 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212153143/https://www.siasat.com/irans-ali-daei-is-worlds-top-goal-scorer-he-is-ahead-of-even-cristiano-ronaldo-2088760/|url-status=live}}</ref> which stood until September 2021 when it was surpassed by Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/asian_icons/news/cristiano_ronaldo_hails_ali_daei_after_setting_new_goalscoring_record.html|title=Cristiano Ronaldo hails Ali Daei after setting new goalscoring record|website=the-AFC|access-date=8 June 2022|archive-date=8 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608070753/https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/asian_icons/news/cristiano_ronaldo_hails_ali_daei_after_setting_new_goalscoring_record.html|url-status=live}}</ref> "I am honoured that this remarkable achievement will belong to Ronaldo," Daei wrote on Instagram.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailysabah.com/sports/football/true-champions-are-forever-ronaldo-thanks-daei-after-record-goal|title=True champions are forever: Ronaldo thanks Daei after record goal|date=24 June 2021|website=Daily Sabah|access-date=8 June 2022|archive-date=8 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608070753/https://www.dailysabah.com/sports/football/true-champions-are-forever-ronaldo-thanks-daei-after-record-goal/|url-status=live}}</ref>
== College career == Daei captained Islamic Azad University football team in 2007 World Interuniversity Games, scoring a hat-trick in the final match against University of Osijek and winning the gold medal.<ref>{{citation |title=مسابقههاي قهرماني 2007 دانشجويان جهان - اتريش هتتريك "علي دايي" فوتبال دانشجويان ايران را قهرمان كرد دو طلا و يك نقره، حاصل كار نمايندگان كشورمان |date=6 October 2007 |work=ISNA |url=https://www.isna.ir/news/8607-07247/ |access-date=29 June 2018 |language=fa |id=8607-07247}}</ref>
=== Coaching === In the 2007 Summer Universiade, Daei was in charge as the head coach of the Iran student's national team.<ref>{{citation|url=http://iransportspress.com/iran-line-up-ghana-and-jamaica-friendlies/|title=Ali Daei take control of Iran Student team|date=16 June 2007|access-date=29 June 2018|work=Iran Sports Press|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726234016/http://iransportspress.com/iran-line-up-ghana-and-jamaica-friendlies/|archive-date=26 July 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
He was technical manager of the Islamic Azad University team in the 2009 World Interuniversity Games.<ref>{{citation|url=https://en.mehrnews.com/news/36312/Daei-with-Azad-University-football-team-in-Interuniversity-Games|title=Daei with Azad University football team in Interuniversity Games|date=9 October 2009|access-date=29 June 2018|id=36312|work=Mehr News Agency|archive-date=26 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726234237/https://en.mehrnews.com/news/36312/Daei-with-Azad-University-football-team-in-Interuniversity-Games|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Managerial career==
===Saipa=== thumb|upright|Daei at the game Gostaresh vs Saba Qom|left On 8 October 2006, upon the sudden leave of Saipa's German coach Werner Lorant, he was appointed as the interim manager of Saipa.<ref>{{cite web |script-title=fa:علي دايي : پس از مشورت با بزرگترها مربيگري تيم سايپا را قبول كردم |url=http://www.irna.com/fa/news/view/line-13/8507178156184133.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926221507/http://www.irna.com/fa/news/view/line-13/8507178156184133.htm |archive-date=26 September 2007 |access-date=9 October 2006 |publisher=IRNA |language=fa}}</ref> He was later officially announced as the full-time manager. On 28 May, Saipa became the Persian Gulf Cup champions in Daei's first season at the helm. Going into his second season as manager, Daei relinquished his playing duties for the defending champions and found himself on the sidelines full-time. The results of Saipa's 2007–2008 campaign were not nearly as successful as his team finished 11th in the 18 teams Iran Pro League table. However, Daei did lead Saipa to an Asian Champions League quarterfinal berth before leaving to take over as the full-time manager of the Iranian national football team.
===Iran national football team=== On 2 March 2008, IRIFF officially appointed Ali Daei as Team Melli's new head coach. Despite admitting that his appointment as manager of the Iranian national team was a "surprise",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iwrXVSgjoP_6TIu-cDjO_FEnmvsA |title=Ali Daei 'surprised' by Iran football coach job |access-date=5 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309011815/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iwrXVSgjoP_6TIu-cDjO_FEnmvsA |archive-date=9 March 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Daei refused to leave his current coaching job at Saipa F.C., therefore taking on dual managerial careers until after Saipa had entered the Asian Champion League quarterfinals, after which Daei left Saipa by mutual consent. While Daei guided Iran to a respectable 16–6–3 mark, his third loss on 28 March 2009 to a Saudi Arabian team that was down 1–0 to Iran in Tehran proved to be the final straw.
During his tenure as the National Team coach, the Iranian team managed the weakest World Cup Qualification results, with only one win out of 5 WCQ games. After the loss in the 2010 World Cup Qualifier, Daei was fired as head coach after the match. While introducing many new players, such as Gholamreza Rezaei, and Ehsan Hajsafi, Daei's squad was often in flux as to who would be invited to a fixture. Many critics also pointed towards the failures of Daei's team to score and an unsolved weakness in the central defense as causes for his downfall.
===Persepolis=== [[File:Ali Daei coaching.jpg|thumb|Daei coaching Persepolis in a match against Naft Tehran, 23 August 2013]] In 2009, Daei turned down a job offer as manager of Rah Ahan.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.persianleague.com/index.php/the-news/1-latest-news/4771-daei-says-no-to-rah-ahan | title = Daei says no to Rah Ahan | access-date = 13 February 2011 | date = 15 April 2009 | publisher = persianleague.com | archive-date = 27 September 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110927054142/http://www.persianleague.com/index.php/the-news/1-latest-news/4771-daei-says-no-to-rah-ahan | url-status = live }}</ref> It was widely believed that Daei could be next-in-line for the coaching position of Persepolis. Still, the club chose Zlatko Kranjčar. On 28 December 2009, Daei was chosen as a coach of Persepolis. At the end of the 2009–10 Season, Persepolis finished fourth in the league, but they became Hazfi Cup champions. In the Hazfi Cup final, Persepolis defeated Azadegan League side Gostaresh Foolad Tabriz 4–1 on aggregate to qualify for the 2011 AFC Champions League. In the 2010–11 season, Persepolis finished fourth in the league and was eliminated in the group stage of the 2011 AFC Champions League but at the end of the season, Persepolis won the 2010–11 Hazfi Cup after defeating rivals Sepahan, Foolad and Malavan. Daei had many people against him while at Persepolis, including the chairman Habib Kashani and after contention with Kashani, he stated that "I won't work with Kashani Anymore".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.irna.ir/NewsShow.aspx?NID=30431920 | script-title = fa:دايي: جواب خود را قبلا به مسوولان باشگاه داده ام | trans-title = Ali Daei leaves Persepolis | date = 14 June 2011 | access-date = 14 June 2011 | language = fa | publisher = irna.ir | archive-date = 16 March 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120316175109/http://www.irna.ir/NewsShow.aspx?NID=30431920 | url-status = live }}</ref>
On 20 June 2011, Technical committee of Persepolis re-appointed Daei as Persepolis's head coach<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.isna.ir/ISNA/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-1791362&Lang=E | title = Iran's Daei remained as Persepolis boss | date = 20 June 2011 | access-date = 17 July 2011 | publisher = isna.ir | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110727235243/http://www.isna.ir/ISNA/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-1791362&Lang=E | archive-date = 27 July 2011 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}</ref> but he resigned on 21 June.<ref>{{cite web |date=21 June 2011 |script-title=fa:دايي شرط كميته فني باشگاه پرسپوليس را رد كرد |url=http://www.varzesh3.com/news.do?itemid=46800 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926090452/https://www.varzesh3.com/news/46800|archive-date=26 September 2022 |access-date=17 July 2011 |publisher=varzesh3.com |language=fa}}</ref> The technical committee chose Hamid Estili as Daei's successor on that day.<ref>{{cite web |date=21 June 2011 |script-title=fa:استيلي سرمربي تيم فوتبال پرسپوليس شد |url=http://www.varzesh3.com/news.do?itemid=46824|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926090452/https://www.varzesh3.com/news/46824|archive-date=26 September 2022 |access-date=17 July 2011 |publisher=varzesh3.com |language=fa}}</ref> During his time at Persepolis, Daei brought up many youngsters such as Hamidreza Ali Asgari and Saman Aghazamani and other players such as Hadi Norouzi and Maziar Zare were chosen for Team Melli thanks to Daei. Despite the fact that many challenges and difficulties, such as the leaders of fans and the clubs' Chairman Kashani were in Daei's way, Persepolis was crowned Hazfi Cup Champions for two successive years, and the fans themselves always loved and cheered Daei. Still, at the same time, they did not cheer for any player. Under the management of Daei, Persepolis won back-to-back trophies for the first time in 13 seasons.
===Rah Ahan=== On 14 July 2011, Daei signed a one-year contract as head coach of Rah Ahan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.varzesh3.com/news.do?itemid=48693& |script-title=fa:علي_دايي_سرمربي_راهآهن_شد |trans-title=Ali Daei becomes head coach of Rah Ahan |publisher=varzesh3.com |language=fa |date=14 July 2011 |access-date=9 April 2013}}</ref> In his first match as head coach of Rah Ahan, he made a 2–2 draw with Zob Ahan. In his first season as Rah Ahan's head coach, he led the club to the 11th position.
During the 2012–13 season, Ali Daei used many young players such as Mojtaba Shiri and Omid Alishah. Rah Ahan finished the season in 8th place, the clubs' best finish in the league since 1937. Thanks to Daei's popularity, more people started to watch Rah Ahan's matches, and for the second straight year, Daei beat his former club Persepolis.
Despite many rumors that Daei will leave Rah Ahan for other clubs such as Persepolis or Tractor, he decided to stay with the club "to build a team that can qualify for the AFC Champions League." However, his contract was terminated on 20 May 2013, making way for him to become head coach of Persepolis.
===Return to Persepolis=== thumb|Daei in Persepolis training On 20 May 2013, he signed a three-year contract to become head coach of Persepolis after a long negotiation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www1.fc-perspolis.com/news_content/main/newsId:10472 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615192421/http://www1.fc-perspolis.com/news_content/main/newsId:10472 |archive-date=15 June 2013 |script-title=fa:علی دایی سرمربی پرسپولیس شد |trans-title=Official: Ali Daei is the head coach of Persepolis |publisher=Persepolis FC |language=fa |date=20 May 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=20 May 2013 }}</ref> It was the second time that he signed with Persepolis, he returned to his former side after two seasons. He officially began his work with Persepolis on 1 June 2013. His first match came against Tractor, which Persepolis won 1–0, with the goal coming from Mehdi Seyed Salehi. At the end of his first year at Persepolis, his side finished runners-up, two points less than the champions Foolad.
He was sacked on 10 September 2014 after a poor start of 2014–15 season.<ref>{{cite web |date=9 September 2014 |script-title=fa:سياسي برکناري دايي را تاييد کرد |url=http://www.varzesh3.com/news.do?itemid=1171716 |access-date=9 September 2014 |language=fa}}</ref>
=== Saba Qom === On 1 July 2015, Daei became head coach of Saba Qom, signing a two-year contract. In two seasons with Saba, he finished ninth and seventh in the Persian Gulf Pro League. He left Saba a few weeks before the 2016–17 season due to uncertainty in the Saba's ownership situation.
=== Naft Tehran === Daei became manager of Naft Tehran on 5 July 2016 by signing a two-year contract, replacing Alireza Mansourian.<ref>{{Cite web |title=دایی سرمربی نفت تهران شد |url=http://naftclub.com/d.asp?id=14259 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809221606/http://www.naftclub.com/d.asp?id=14259 |archive-date=9 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=اسپورت |first=آی |title=رسمی: علی دایی سرمربی نفت تهران شد |url=http://isport.ir/fa/content/229361 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607214344/http://isport.ir/fa/content/229361 |archive-date=7 June 2022 |access-date=7 June 2022 |website=آی اسپورت}}</ref> He led Naft to the Hazfi Cup title. Still, he left the club at the end of the season.
=== Return to Saipa === Daei became manager of Saipa on 14 May 2017, a club where he started his coaching career in 2006 and led them to the league title in 2007. He led the club for two seasons and was sacked at the end of 2018–19 season.
== 2022 FIFA World Cup draw == {{see also|2022 FIFA World Cup seeding}} Daei was one of the Personnel involved in the 2022 FIFA World Cup draw held in Qatar on 1 April 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/news/qatar-2022-final-draw-all-you-need-to-know|title=Qatar 2022 Final Draw: All you need to know|publisher=FIFA.com|date=31 March 2022|access-date=8 June 2022|archive-date=2 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402202529/https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/news/qatar-2022-final-draw-all-you-need-to-know|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=30 March 2022 |title=Daei and 7 world football legends invited for the World Cup draw |language=fa |trans-title=8 اسطوره فوتبال جهان در مراسم قرعه کشی جام جهانی/علی دایی هم دعوت شد |url=https://www.farsnews.ir/news/14010111000232 |access-date=15 April 2022| work=Fars News Agency}}</ref>
==Personal life== ===Relationships=== Iranian journalist Camelia Entekhabifard wrote in her memoirs that she married Daei in 1997, but the couple separated.<ref>{{citation|title=Camelia: Save Yourself by Telling the Truth-A Memoir of Iran|author=Camelia Entekhabifard|chapter=Fall 1997|publisher=Seven Stories Press|year=2007|isbn=9781609800246|translator=George Murer}}</ref>
===Business ventures and philanthropy=== Daei owns his own football jersey manufacturing company called Daei Sport's Wears & Equipments, making sportswear for Iran sporting clubs in various fields and league clubs worldwide. His company also made jerseys for the national team. He has made significant charitable donations and has made appearances in charity football matches worldwide (featuring in the World vs. Bosnia match with Roberto Baggio and others). He also appeared in a UNICEF commercial with David Beckham and Madeleine Albright, and has regularly been seen working with the organization.
Daei featured on 18 July 2007 in ''90 Minutes for Mandela'', a match between the Africa XI and the Rest of the World XI to celebrate the birthday of Nelson Mandela.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/6295348.stm|title=Stars named for Mandela match|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=29 July 2007|date=12 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818065316/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/6295348.stm|archive-date= 18 August 2007|url-status= live}}</ref> Daei played approximately 10 minutes in the match which ended 3–3.
===Religion=== Daei is a follower of Shia Islam. While he played for Bayern Munich, he refused to hold a glass of beer for an Erdinger advertisement because alcoholic beverages are forbidden in his religion.<ref>{{citation|title=Iranian hero with an eye for goal|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/iranian-hero-with-eye-for-goal-1.336066|date=7 November 2001|access-date=18 June 2018|newspaper=The Irish Times|archive-date=29 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729014340/https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/iranian-hero-with-eye-for-goal-1.336066|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Autobiography=== In April 2008, Daei announced that he had begun writing an autobiography, due to be released in March 2010, and that despite reflecting on "bitter and sweet memories," he stated he would "keep some of his secrets in his heart forever".{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} The book has not yet been released.
===Accident=== On 17 March 2012, Daei's car overturned while driving back to Tehran from Isfahan with his brother. Just before the accident, his team, Rah Ahan, had been beaten by Sepahan. Daei was then transferred to a hospital near Kashan. Rah Ahan's Media Officer, Hossein Ghadousi stated that "Daei is in a stable condition with regards to his vital signs and is not currently in any acute danger as a result of the accident".<ref>{{cite web |date=17 March 2012 |script-title=fa:برای دایی دعا کنید/ ماشن او چپ کرد وبه بیمارستان رفت |url=http://www.goal.com/iran/news/1825 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802163945/http://www.goal.com/iran/news/1825/ |archive-date=2 August 2010 |access-date=17 March 2012 |work=Goal.com |language=fa}}</ref> He was transferred to Laleh hospital in Tehran the following day.
A statement from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said: "The AFC wishes Iranian legend Ali Daei, who was involved in a car accident on Saturday, a speedy and full recovery. We stand ready to assist Daei, a true icon of Asian football. Our thoughts and prayers are with him."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.supersport.com/football/fifa-internationals/news/120318/Iran_great_Daei_hurt_in_car_crash |title=Iran great Daei hurt in car crash |work=Supersport.com |access-date=19 March 2012 |date=19 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729154108/http://www.supersport.com/football/fifa-internationals/news/120318/Iran_great_Daei_hurt_in_car_crash |archive-date=29 July 2013 }}</ref> Sepp Blatter, President of FIFA, said on his personal Twitter page that he was shocked to hear Daei was injured. He also wished for his recovery.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=SeppBlatter|last=Blatter|first=Sepp|number=181753043400916992|title=Shocked to hear Iran great Ali Daei was injured in a car crash. I would like to send my best wishes for his recovery.|access-date=8 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/iran/news/1825/%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86/2012/03/19/2978155/%D9%88%D8%A7%DA%A9%D9%86%D8%B4-%D8%B1%D8%A6%DB%8C%D8%B3-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%81%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%81-%D8%AF%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C%D8%B4%D9%88%DA%A9%D9%87-%D8%B4%D8%AF%D9%85|title=واکنش رئیس فیفا به تصادف دایی:شوکه شدم سب بلاتر رئیس فیفا در صفحه تویترش نسبت به تصادف علی دایی واکنش نشان داد|language=Persian|trans-title=FIFA President's reaction to Uncle's accident: I was shockedi|work=Goal.com|date=19 March 2012|access-date=19 March 2012|archive-date=22 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322030802/http://www.goal.com/iran/news/1825/%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86/2012/03/19/2978155/%D9%88%D8%A7%DA%A9%D9%86%D8%B4-%D8%B1%D8%A6%DB%8C%D8%B3-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%81%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%81-%D8%AF%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C%D8%B4%D9%88%DA%A9%D9%87-%D8%B4%D8%AF%D9%85|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Street attack=== In November 2020, Daei was attacked by two thieves while they were trying to steal his gold necklace in Tehran.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hamshahrionline.ir/news/561080/%D8%B3%D8%B1%D9%82%D8%AA-%D8%AE%D8%B4%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%B9%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B2%D8%B9%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C%D9%87|title=سرقت خشن از علی دایی در زعفرانیه|date=29 October 2020|website=همشهری آنلاین|access-date=6 November 2020|archive-date=21 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021134035/https://www.hamshahrionline.ir/news/561080/%D8%B3%D8%B1%D9%82%D8%AA-%D8%AE%D8%B4%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%B9%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B2%D8%B9%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C%D9%87|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Daei attacked by thieves (Iran Football League) |url=https://www.persianleague.com/7595-daei-attacked-by-thieves |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021135542/https://www.persianleague.com/7595-daei-attacked-by-thieves |archive-date=21 October 2022 |access-date=2021-03-08 |website=www.persianleague.com}}</ref>
Police announced that the two thieves were arrested a few days after they attacked Daei.<ref>{{cite web |date=November 2020 |title=سارقان گردنبند علی دایی، اتفاقی بازداشت شدند |url=https://khabaronline.ir/news/1450161 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314040658/https://khabaronline.ir/news/1450161 |archive-date=14 March 2022 |access-date=6 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=November 2020 |title=سارقان گردنبند علی دایی دستگیر شدند |url=https://mehrnews.com/xT37w |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021135539/https://mehrnews.com/xT37w |archive-date=21 October 2022 |access-date=6 November 2020}}</ref>
===Politics and activism=== On 26 December 2022, Daei said that an international flight carrying his wife, Mona Farrokhazari, and daughter, which was heading to Dubai was forced to return to Kish Island, due to his support for anti-government protests.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-64097382 |title=Iran protests: Family of football legend Ali Daei stopped from leaving |publisher=BBC News |date=26 December 2022 |access-date=26 December 2022 |archive-date=27 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227094128/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-64097382 |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2026, Tehran's city council announced it will rename Ali Daei Boulevard. According to The council's spokesperson, this is because he stayed silent during the 2025-2026 Iranian protests and the 2026 Iran war.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tehran City Council Decides to Rename Ali Daei Boulevard - PersianLeague.Com (Iran Football League) |url=https://www.persianleague.com/18413-tehran-city-council-decides-to-rename-ali-daei-boulevard |access-date=2026-03-25 |website=www.persianleague.com}}</ref>
== Career statistics ==
===Club=== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" |- ! rowspan="2" |Country ! rowspan="2" |Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- | rowspan="3" |Iran | rowspan="3" |Persepolis |1994–95 |rowspan="2"|Azadegan League |25||15|| colspan="2" |0|| colspan="4" |—||25||15 |- |1995–96 |13||8||colspan="2"|—||4{{efn|Appearances in Asian Club Championship}}||2||2{{efn|Appearances in Naghsh-e-Jahan Cup}}||1||19||11 |- !colspan="2"|Total !38!!23!! colspan="2" |0!!4!!2!!2!!1!!44!!26 |- | rowspan="2" |Qatar | rowspan="2" |Al Sadd |1996–97 |QSL |16||10||2||0|| colspan="4" |—||18||10 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !16 !10 !2 !0 ! colspan="4" |— !18 !10 |- | rowspan="6" |Germany |Arminia Bielefeld |1997–98 | rowspan="5" |Bundesliga |25||7||1|| rowspan="5" |0|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" rowspan="2" |—||26||7 |- |Bayern Munich |1998–99 |23||6||4||5{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}}||0||32||6 |- | rowspan="4" |Hertha BSC |1999–2000 |28||3||2||13{{efn|name=UCL}}||4||1{{efn|name=DFB|Appearance(s) in DFB-Ligapokal}}|| rowspan="2" |0||44||7 |- |2000–01 |23||3||2||5{{efn|name=UC|Appearance(s) in UEFA Cup}}||2||2{{efn|name=DFB}}||32||5 |- |2001–02 |8||0||3||1{{efn|name=UC}}||0|| colspan="2" |—||12||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !59!!6!!7!!0!!19!!6!!3!!0!!88!!12 |- | rowspan="2" |UAE | rowspan="2" |Al Shabab |2002–03 |UPL |21||11|| colspan="2" |0|| colspan="4" |—||21||11 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !21 !11 ! colspan="2" |0 ! colspan="4" |— !21 !11 |- | rowspan="6" |Iran |Persepolis |2003–04 | rowspan="3" |Iran Pro League |28||16||2||1 | colspan="4" rowspan="2" |—||30||17 |- | rowspan="3" |Saba Battery |2004–05 |25||12||5||3||30||15 |- |2005–06 |26||11||2||2||6||5||1||2||35||20 |- !colspan="2"|Total !51!!23!!7!!5!!6!!5!!1!!2!!65!!35 |- | rowspan="2" |Saipa |2006–07 |Iran Pro League |26||10||1||0|| colspan="4" |—||27||10 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !26 !10 !1 !0 ! colspan="4" |— !27 !10 |- ! ! colspan="3" |Career total !287!!112!!24!!6!!34!!13!!6!!3!!351!!134 |}
{{notelist}}
===International=== {{see also|List of international goals scored by Ali Daei}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/daei-intlg.html | title = Ali Daei – Century of International Appearances | website = RSSSF | access-date = 1 July 2017 | archive-date = 22 March 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230322213123/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/daei-intlg.html | url-status = live }}</ref> |- !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="14"|Iran |1993||16||7 |- |1994||1||0 |- |1995||0||0 |- |1996||18||22 |- |1997||17||9 |- |1998||13||9 |- |1999||5||2 |- |2000||18||19 |- |2001||16||10 |- |2002||4||2 |- |2003||9||5 |- |2004||16||17 |- |2005||9||4 |- |2006||6||2 |- !colspan="2"|Total!!148!!108 |}
==Managerial statistics== {{updated|12 February 2019}} {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center" |- !rowspan=2|Team !rowspan=2|From !rowspan=2|To !colspan=8|Record |- !G!!W!!D!!L!!GF!!GA!!+/-!!Win % |- |Saipa |align="left"|1 October 2006 |align="left"|1 June 2008 {{WDL|67|27|21|19|for=77|against=69|diff=yes}} |- |Iran |align="left"|1 March 2008 |align="left"|30 March 2009 {{WDL|25|16|6|3|for=42|against=15|diff=yes}} |- |Persepolis |align="left"|28 December 2009 |align="left"|22 June 2011 {{WDL|64|33|14|17|for=94|against=71|diff=yes}} |- |Rah Ahan |align="left"|14 July 2011 |align="left"|31 May 2013 {{WDL|69|21|25|23|for=80|against=79|diff=yes}} |- |Persepolis |align="left"|1 June 2013 |align="left"|10 September 2014 {{WDL|40|20|11|9|for=49|against=26|diff=yes}} |- |Saba Qom |align="left"|1 July 2015 |align="left"|3 July 2016 {{WDL|31|10|15|6|for=32|against=25|diff=yes}} |- |Naft Tehran |align="left"|5 July 2016 |align="left"|13 May 2017 {{WDL|36|15|11|10|for=46|against=36|diff=yes}} |- |Saipa |align="left"|14 May 2017 |align="left"|1 May 2019 {{WDL|51|24|17|10|for=68|against=62|diff=yes}} |- !colspan=3|Total {{WDLtot|380|161|119|100|for=484|against=377|diff=yes}} |}
==Honours== ===Player=== '''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 Cup: 2006–07
'''Iran U23''' * Asian Games Gold Medal: 2002
'''Iran''' * ECO Cup: 1993 * LG Cup (3): 2001, 2002 March, 2002 September; third place (3): 2000, 2003 May, 2003 August * Asian Games Gold Medal: 1998 * AFC–OFC Challenge Cup: 2003 * WAFF Championship: 2004
===Manager=== '''Saipa''' * Iran Pro League: 2006–07
'''Iran''' * WAFF Championship: 2008
'''Persepolis''' * Hazfi Cup: 2009–10, 2010–11
'''Naft Tehran''' * Hazfi Cup: 2016–17
===Individual=== *AFC Asian Cup Team of the Tournament: 1996 *AFC Asian Cup top goalscorer: 1996 * AFC Asian Player of the Month: August 1997<ref>{{cite web |title=Dunga's jubilant Jubilo |url=http://www.asian-football.com/afc/pub/Oct97/frame.r3.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980514222628/http://www.asian-football.com/afc/pub/Oct97/frame.r3.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 May 1998 |website=Asian Football Confederation |date=14 May 1998}}</ref> * AFC Asian Footballer of the Year: 1999 * IFFHS World's Top Goal Scorer: 2000 (20 goals)<ref>{{cite web|title=Top 10 International Goal Scorers – 2000|url=http://www.iffhs.de/?e4380bfd300bf17420d87452db2d0ae43304f33e00e46b55a669|publisher=IFFHS|access-date=2 August 2006|archive-date=27 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927171904/http://www.iffhs.de/?e4380bfd300bf17420d87452db2d0ae43304f33e00e46b55a669|url-status=live}}</ref> * Order of Courage: 2005 * Asian Football Hall of Fame: 2014 * IFFHS Legends: 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iffhs.de/iffhs-has-announced-the-48-football-legend-players/|title=IFFHS announce the 48 Football legend players|publisher=IFFHS|date=25 January 2016|access-date=14 September 2016|archive-date=24 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924082150/https://iffhs.de/iffhs-has-announced-the-48-football-legend-players/|url-status=live}}</ref> * AFC Asian Cup Fans' All Time Best XI: 2018<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.the-afc.com/features/the-fans-afc-asian-cup-xi-announced |title=Fans' Best XI Announced! |website=The-AFC.com |publisher=AFC |date=16 November 2018 |access-date=10 December 2019 |archive-date=8 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508184149/https://www.the-afc.com/features/the-fans-afc-asian-cup-xi-announced |url-status=live }}</ref> * IFFHS Asian Men's Team of the 20th Century: 1901–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iffhs.com/posts/1089|title=IFFHS announce the 48 football legend players|publisher=IFFHS|date=10 May 2021|access-date=8 May 2021|archive-date=10 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510144752/https://www.iffhs.com/posts/1089|url-status=live}}</ref> * Iranian Manager of the Year: 2006 * Nominated for FIFA World Player of the Year: 1997, 2001 *AFC Asian Cup All-time XI: 2023<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/news/asiancup2023_five-month_countdown_fan-voted_all-time_afc_asian_cup%E2%84%A2_dream_xi_revealed_.html |title=#AsianCup2023 five-month countdown: Fan-voted all-time AFC Asian Cup Dream XI revealed |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |date=2023-08-12 |access-date=2023-08-13 |archive-date=13 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813162643/https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/news/asiancup2023_five-month_countdown_fan-voted_all-time_afc_asian_cup%E2%84%A2_dream_xi_revealed_.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|Association football|Iran|Biography|Sports }} * List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps * List of top international men's football goal scorers by country * List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals * ''Glyptothorax alidaeii''
== Notes == {{Notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} * {{instagram|alidaei|Ali Daei}} * {{FIFA player|94090}} * [https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/daei-intlg.html RSSSF archive of Ali Daei's century of international appearances and goals] * [https://www.teammelli.com/matchdata/details/player.php?id=275 Profile] at TeamMelli.com * [https://www.varzesh3.com/news/1764265 Autobiography] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20140208030328/http://alidaei.net/ Ali Daei News Magazine]
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{{S-start}} {{S-sports}} {{Succession box|title=Iran national football team captain |before= Javad Zarincheh|after= Mehdi Mahdavikia|years=2000–2006}} {{S-end}} {{Navboxes |bg=gold |fg=navy |title= Awards |list1= {{S-start}} {{S-ach}} {{succession box|title=Iran Pro League winning manager|before= Amir Ghalenoei |after= Afshin Ghotbi|years=2006–07}} {{S-end}} {{1996 AFC Asian Cup Team of the Tournament}} {{AFC Asian Cup top scorers}} {{Asian Football Hall of Fame}} {{Asian Footballer of the Year}} {{Iran Pro League Top Scorers}} {{IFFHS World's Best International Top Goal Scorer}} {{Iran Coach of the Year}} {{Hazfi Cup winning managers}} }} {{Navboxes |title= Iran squads |bg= white |fg= #DA0000 |bordercolor = #239F40 |list1= {{Iran squad 1996 AFC Asian Cup}} {{Iran squad 1998 FIFA World Cup}} {{Iran squad 2000 AFC Asian Cup}} {{Iran squad 2004 AFC Asian Cup}} {{Iran squad 2006 FIFA World Cup}} }} {{Navboxes |title= Ali Daei managerial positions |list1= {{Saipa F.C. managers}} {{Iran national football team managers}} {{Persepolis F.C. managers}} {{Rah Ahan F.C. managers}} {{Saba F.C. managers}} {{Naft Tehran F.C. managers}} }}
{{Mahsa Amini protests}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Daei, Ali}} Category:1969 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Ardabil Category:Iranian men's footballers Category:Iran men's international footballers Category:Men's association football forwards Category:Persepolis F.C. players Category:Al Sadd SC players Category:Arminia Bielefeld players Category:FC Bayern Munich footballers Category:Hertha BSC players Category:Al Shabab Al Arabi Club (Dubai) players Category:Saba Qom F.C. players Category:Saipa F.C. players Category:Azadegan League players Category:Qatar Stars League players Category:Bundesliga players Category:UAE Pro League players Category:Persian Gulf Pro League players Category:Iranian football managers Category:Iran national football team managers Category:Persepolis F.C. managers Category:Saba Qom F.C. managers Category:21st-century Iranian businesspeople Category:FIFA Men's Century Club Category:1996 AFC Asian Cup players Category:1998 FIFA World Cup players Category:2000 AFC Asian Cup players Category:2004 AFC Asian Cup players Category:2006 FIFA World Cup players Category:Sharif University of Technology alumni Category:Asian Games gold medalists for Iran Category:Asian Games footballers for Iran Category:Asian Footballer of the Year winners Category:Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch alumni Category:Footballers at the 1994 Asian Games Category:Footballers at the 1998 Asian Games Category:Footballers at the 2002 Asian Games Category:Recipients of the Order of Courage (Iran) Category:Medalists at the 1998 Asian Games Category:Medalists at the 2002 Asian Games Category:UNICEF goodwill ambassadors Category:Iranian expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Qatar Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany Category:Expatriate men's footballers in the United Arab Emirates Category:Iranian expatriate sportspeople in Qatar Category:Iranian expatriate sportspeople in Germany Category:Iranian expatriate sportspeople in the United Arab Emirates Category:Persian Gulf Pro League managers Category:Asian Games gold medalists in football