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Ali Daei

21 March 1969 – present

Ali Daei (born 1969) is an Iranian former footballer and manager who played as a striker for Iran from 1993 to 2006, scoring 109 international goals, a men's world record until it was surpassed by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2021. He was the first Asian player to appear in the UEFA Champions League, playing for Bayern Munich, and later coached the Iranian national team.

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Life events

Born in Ardabil, Iran
21 March 1969

Born in Ardabil in north-western Iran.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Studied materials engineering at Sharif University of Technology
c. 1990

Earned a degree in materials engineering from Sharif University of Technology in Tehran while playing club football.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Made his debut for the Iran national team
June 1993

Earned his first cap for Iran, beginning an international career that lasted until 2006.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Played for Persepolis in Tehran
1994 – 1996

Joined Persepolis, winning the Iranian league title with the club.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Moved to Germany to play in the Bundesliga
1997

Signed with Arminia Bielefeld, becoming one of the first Iranian players in a major European league.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Joined Bayern Munich and won the Bundesliga
1998 – 1999

Played one season for Bayern Munich, winning the 1998-99 Bundesliga and becoming the first Asian player to appear in the UEFA Champions League.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Played for Iran at the 1998 FIFA World Cup
June 1998

Appeared in all three of Iran's group matches in France, including the 2-1 win over the United States.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Played for Hertha BSC in Berlin
1999 – 2002

Spent three seasons with Hertha BSC, including Champions League appearances.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Retired from international football after the 2006 World Cup
2006

Ended his Iran career with 149 caps and 109 goals, then a men's international record.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed head coach of the Iran national team
2008 – 2009

Managed Iran during the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign before being dismissed in 2009.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓