Ali Daei vs Nasser Hejazi
Iran against Iran. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Ali Daei
Iran · 1996–2021 · ST
- Almanac rating
- 87
- Rank in Iran
- #1 of 33
Daei scored four goals between the 66th minute and the 89th in Dubai on 16 December 1996, turning an Asian Cup quarter-final against South Korea into a 6-2 win. First man to 100 international goals, reached against Laos in November 2004, he held the world record until 2021; add the 1996 Asian Cup golden boot with eight, Asian Games gold in 1998, Asian Footballer of the Year in 1999 and a Bundesliga title at Bayern Munich.
Nasser Hejazi
Iran · 1970–2000 · GK
- Almanac rating
- 86
- Rank in Iran
- #10 of 33
- Caps
- 62 · 0 goals
- Clubs
- Esteghlal, Shahin, Mohammedan SC
Scotland could not beat him in Córdoba on 7 June 1978; their only goal was an Iranian own goal, and the 1-1 draw stayed Iran's sole World Cup point for twenty years. The AFC named him the second-best Asian goalkeeper of the twentieth century in 2000, and his medals include the 1976 Asian Cup won in Tehran, Asian Games gold in 1974 and the 1970 Asian club title with Taj. Career record: 62 caps and 0 goals for Iran; club career at Esteghlal, Shahin, Mohammedan SC.
The verdict
The almanac puts Ali Daei ahead by 1 rating point, 87 against 86.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.