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Ali Daei in Child Labours Association. Author Tasnim News Agency.

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Ali Daei

Ali Daei is an Iranian football manager and a former player. Before he retired from playing football, Ali was a striker and captain of the Iranian national team between 2000 and 2006. Ali was born on 21st March 1969 in Ardabil, Imperial Iran.

He was educated well by his parents as he graduated from the Sharif University of Technology in Materials Engineering. Ali got a bachelor’s degree at this university. His playing career began at the age of 19 with his hometown club known as Esteghlal Ardabil.

Ali later joined Taxirani football club where he played for a season and moved to another club where he scored 49 goals in 75 games. He later advanced by moving to Europe where he shone with the goal of involvement during his tenure with Asian clubs.

He played in the German Bundesliga for Arminia Bielefeld, Bayern Munich and Hertha Berlin. Ali has always been regarded as one of the greatest Asian footballers of all time. Ali also played for his national team which he even captained until he retired.

After his playing career, Ali began his managerial career which did not become a major success. Ali had the record of being the first Asian player to participate in the UEFA Champions League.

Here are the top 10 Interesting Facts about Ali Daei:

1. Ali Graduated with Bachelor’s Degree in Materials Engineering

The family of Ali Daei wanted to provide good education to their son who was also a talented footballer. He did not drop out of school to concentrate on football.

Ali Daei studied well and completed high school before joining the Sharif University of Technology. He later graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Materials Engineering, Metallurgical.

2. He began his Playing Career at 19 and Showed his Goal Scoring Prowess

Ali Daei at Saipa training. Author Fars Media Corporation.

Ali Daei had a passion for football as he grew up. He began his football playing career at the age of nineteen. His first club was his hometown’s Esteghlal Ardabil.

He did not spend much time at this club as he later moved to Taxirani F.C in Tehran for one season. Ali joined Bank Tejarat where he was a prolific striker.

He lasted for four years at Bank Tejarat as their main striker. Ali Daei managed to score forty-nine goals in the seventy-five matches that he played for Bank Tejarat football club.

3. His Success Earned him a Move to Europe where he also played for Bayern

After his major success with Bank Tejarat, Ali was ready to move to Europe and shine too. In 1994, Ali joined Persepolis football club, one of Tehran’s leading clubs. He scored twenty-three goals in thirty-eight games for the club.

His impressive performance in the Asian Club helped him get a move to Al Sadd before he joined the German Bundesliga. Ali joined Arminia Bielefeld in 1997 alongside his national teammate.

A season later, Ali joined Bayern Munich where he made twenty-three appearances scoring six goals. After falling out of the pecking order, Ali decided to join Hertha Berlin before his three years contract with Bayern expired.

4. Daei became the First Asian Player to Feature in UEFA Champions League

While in Europe, the career of Ali Daei was so amazing. He got to play for top German Bundesliga clubs and also compete in top competitions.

Ali Daei became the first Asian player to ever feature in a UEFA Champions League match. Ali scored his first and second goals in the Champions League on 21st September 1999. This came during the group stage match against Chelsea football club where Hertha won 2-1.

Ali went ahead and scored again in the 1-1 draw against A.C. Milan at the San Siro. He was an important player at Hertha since he was one of the many successful players at the club.

5. Ali Failed to Take his National Team as Captain in 2001

Ali Daei. Author Tasnim News Agency.

The international career of Ali Daei was so impressive. He managed to get several caps with the Iranian national team but this was not consistent. Ali played in several continental friendlies against world-class opposition.

However, he never managed to maintain a stable position in his club’s starting line-up. In 2001, Ali never managed to be among the top scorers in the Asian Qualifying round which affected his national position. He failed to manage to take the Iranian team into the World Cup as captain for the first time.

6. Ali Head-butted his Opponent in the Face getting him a $2000 Fine

Ali Daei has never been an indiscipline player in his career but there are some incidents where he lost his cool. On 6th March 2007, Ali Daei got suspended and fined for his behaviour on the pitch against an opponent.

Ali Daei head-butted Sheys Rezaei in the face during a league game. This action from Ali made the Iranian Football Federation suspend him for four games and fined him $2000.

7. Daei was World’s Top International Scorer before Ronaldo Broke his Record

Ali Daei is in training with Persepolis. Author Tasnim News Agency. WIKIMEDIA

In his international career, Ali Daei enjoyed scoring goals for fun. He was named the world’s top goal scorer in official international competitions by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics.

However, Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo broke this record with the Portugal national team in 2021. Ali Daei ended his international career with one hundred and nine goals.

8. Ali Ended his National Career at the Age of 37 after Criticism

Daei was a brilliant striker for the Iranian national team during his playing times. He was one of the most capped players for the Iranian national team. Ali played for the national team from 1993 to 2006 getting one hundred and forty-nine appearances.

Before retiring from the international games, Ali Daei received criticism during the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The Iranian media criticised the decision of playing him with low fitness and the inability to allow younger players to play in the World Cup. He later bowed to the pressure and criticism retiring at the age of 37.

9. Ali was Involved in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Draw

Since retiring from football, Ali Daei is still in the football world where he is making major decisions. Some of these decisions are about the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament. Ali was one of the personnel involved in the draw held in Qatar on 1st April 2022 for the World Cup.

10. He owns his Football Jersey Manufacturing Company

Ali Daei. Author Fars Media Corporation.

Ali Daei also ventured into business after retiring as a football player. He owns his football jersey manufacturing company known as Daei Sport’s Wears and Equipment.

This company makes sportswear for Iran sporting clubs in various fields and league clubs across the world. The company of Ali also made jerseys for the Iranian National team.