Ali Daei vs Parviz Ghelichkhani
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.
Parviz Ghelichkhani
Iran · 1962–1978 · CM
- Almanac rating
- 87
- Rank in Iran
- #5 of 33
- Caps
- 64 · 12 goals
- Clubs
- Kian, Esteghlal, San Jose Earthquakes
Captaining Iran in front of a hundred thousand at Tehran's Aryamehr Stadium, he lifted Asian Games gold in September 1974, a deep-lying midfielder trusted for his tackling, his range of pass and his authority. No other player has won three straight Asian Cups, which he did in 1968, 1972 and 1976, and his 66 caps ended with his removal from Iran's first World Cup squad in 1978, a decision widely read as political. Career record: 64 caps and 12 goals for Iran; club career at Kian, Esteghlal, San Jose Earthquakes.
The verdict
The almanac cannot separate them: both are rated 87.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.