Ali Daei, born on March twenty-first, nineteen sixty-nine, is a distinguished Iranian football manager and former professional footballer. Renowned for his prowess as a striker, he captained the Iranian national team from two thousand to two thousand six, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
His illustrious career in the German Bundesliga saw him play for notable clubs such as Arminia Bielefeld, Bayern Munich, and Hertha Berlin. Daei is celebrated as one of the greatest Iranian footballers and a prominent figure in Asian football history, holding the record as the all-time Asian men's top goal scorer in international football with one hundred eight goals.
A towering forward, Daei was known for his exceptional heading accuracy and aerial ability, making him a prolific goal-scorer. He held the title of the world's top international goal-scorer with one hundred nine goals until Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed him in twenty twenty-one, and he subsequently fell to third place after Lionel Messi broke the record in twenty twenty-four.
In addition to his on-field achievements, Daei was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in two thousand one, showcasing his commitment to social causes. After retiring from professional play, he contributed to the sport as a member of the FIFA Football Committee from two thousand seven to two thousand thirteen. His legacy was further cemented in two thousand fourteen when he was inducted into the Asian Football Hall of Fame.