Ali Daei is perhaps the most underrated striker in the history of International team football. This is because it is not so often to see a striker end up with over 100 goals for his country.
Born in Ardabil, Iran in 1969, Daei is Iran’s most decorated footballer, beginning his career with hometown club Esteghlal Ardabil. Daei played for nearly twenty years with 12 different clubs including Bayern Munich.
Despite a hugely successful career, Daei struggled to impose himself at club level. People said it is mostly because he will rather spend time with the Iran national team.
Ali Daei struggled playing for Bayern Munich but did not stop scoring for Iran. Sourece: Soccerway
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Beginning his time with the Persian Stars in 1993, Daei had scored 29 goals in 38 appearances by the end of 1996. His contribution to Iranian football can not be overemphasized.
He provided the assist for Khodadad Azizi against Australia in the 1998 World Cup Qualifiers to see Iran through to the tournament.
At the tournament, Daei once again oozed class in Iran’s historic victory against the USA with a jaw-dropping assist to Mehdi Mahdavikia to score the winning goal.
No footballer has more international goals that Ali Daei. Source: AFC
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Within the period of 10 years since his debut, Daei had surpassed Ferenc Puskás’s international record of 84 goals. By 2004, Daei had scored over 102 international goals following a four goal haul against Laos.
When he eventually retired in 2007, Daei had scored a staggering 109 goals in 149 games. That is an average of a goal in every 73 minutes in international football. That record is almost certain cannot be broken any time soon.
Current world best Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 79 goals for Portugal and is behind Daei by 30 goals.
Football legend Pele is behind Daei by 32, and Argentine superstar and former world best Lionel Messi is behind the Iran legend by 51 goals.
No doubt footballer, past or present, could ever dream of matching Ali Daei’s tally of international goals.
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