Name: Ali Daei




Country: Iran
Club: Al-Sadd SC (1996-1997), DSC Arminia Bielefeld (1997-1998), FC Bayern München (1998-1999), Hertha BSC (1999-2002)
Position: *CF
Side: RF/BS
Age: 27-32 years (21/03/1969)

Height: 192 cm
Weight: 80 kg


Attack: 85
Defence: 53
Balance: 81
Stamina: 79
Top Speed: 76
Acceleration: 72
Response: 85
Agility: 79
Dribble Accuracy: 78
Dribble Speed: 74
Short Pass Accuracy: 75
Short Pass Speed: 70
Long Pass Accuracy: 72
Long Pass Speed: 70
Shot Accuracy: 84
Shot Power: 82
Shot Technique: 84
Free Kick Accuracy: 71
Curling: 70
Header: 87
Jump: 83
Technique: 80
Aggression: 82
Mentality: 85
Goalkeeper Skills: 50
Team Work: 77

Injury Tolerance: B
Condition: 5 (Club) | 6 (NT)
Weak Foot Accuracy: 6
Weak Foot Frequency: 5
Consistency: 5 (Club) | 7 (NT)
Growth type: Standard/Lasting

CARDS:
P17 - Track Back
P19 - Fox in the Box
S03 - 1-on-1 Finish

SPECIAL ABILITIES: Positioning - Scoring - 1-on-1 Scoring - Post Player - Lines

Attack/Defence Awareness Card: Balanced


INFO:
Daei is a former centre forward. He played for numerous clubs in Asia and Germany throughout his career. He had his best time at Persepolis, where he wore its jersey from 1994 to 1996 and in 2003-04 for a total of 74 appearances and 43 goals. He played also for Al-Sadd in Qatar, Al-Shabab in the United Arab Emirates, Saba Qom and Saipa in Iran. His experience in German Bundesliga was quite good as he scored 7 goals in 26 games for Arminia Bielefeld in 1997-98, 6 in 32 for Bayern München in 1998-99, 12 in 76 for Hertha BSC between 1999 and 2001. The 2001-02 season with the Berliner team wasn't as good, ending with no goal in 12 appearances. He retired in 2007. Daei capped for Iran 149 times, scoring 109 goals. He's both Iran's all-time top scorer and longest serving captain. He was included in the Team of the Tournament of the 1996 AFC Asian Cup and named AFC Asian Footballer of the Year in 1999. For many years, he held the record of goals with a national team before Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed him in 2021. Therefore, he was sold at the end of the season.
Daei is regarded by many as the best player Iran has ever produced. He was outstanding in the attack as he could keep the opposing defence busy all by himself. He was accurate with both feet, deadly in one-on-one situations in front of the goal, at time capable of surprising the goalkeeper with shots from outside the area. A fine set piece taker, he scored several times from penalty and occasionally from free kick. He was smart, tactical intelligent, and had good reading of the game that allowed him to figure out his opponent's next move and anticipate him. In fact, he was able in taking advantage of any situation, always positioning himself in the right spot at the the right time. He wasn't notably quick but his movements were smooth, and he could make decent long strides on the distance. He was a threat in the air as he was notably tall, had good elevation, excellent heading ability. He possessed remarkable technical skills in the dribbling and even more in the ball control, that allowed him to keep and defend the ball when playing back to goal, holding the defenders with his shoulders. However, he fell to the ground easily on physical contact despite his huge physique. Other than being a fantastic scorer, he could also create numerous scoring chances thanks to his passing skills. On top of that, his spirit of sacrifice was superb as he often moved to the midfield in order to recover the ball or receive a pass before triggering an attacking play. He would help even in his own defence if necessary. Thanks to his excellent tracking back ability, he was also effective in beating the offside trap.