Ali Daei

I think football gave Iranians a reason to once again think about their country.

— Ali Daei

The World Cup is every footballer's dream.

— Ali Daei

I am very honored to be named Asian Player of the Year.

— Ali Daei

We don't have the unity that other races like Turkish, Russian and Yugoslavs have. If Iranians become more united, not only will…

— Ali Daei

I don't like to talk about myself, but I can say that Sardar is a big player, along with someone like Karim…

— Ali Daei

Ali Karimi is a nice guy and deserves to return to the national team.

— Ali Daei

I'm quite confident Sardar can make a move from Russia to a top level club.

— Ali Daei

I'm happy with the memories of Germany - I lived and played there for five years, and made lots of good friends.

— Ali Daei

Iran has been strong in individual sports like wrestling, judo and weightlifting, but we have never excelled at team sports.

— Ali Daei

We were thrilled to reach France in 1998 but our failure to make the finals in the U.S.A. in 1994 and South…

— Ali Daei

Fans expectations are understandably high and we need to meet them.

— Ali Daei

For a given match, I can only select 18 players and at most 14 would play.

— Ali Daei

Playing in Europe has been very good for our players in making progress and if more come here then I think it…

— Ali Daei

I used to leave home without my football uniform and my mother would smuggle it out for me so that I could…

— Ali Daei

Sepahan of Isfahan and Steel Azin offered me to take charge of their teams. I didn't want to come back to football…

— Ali Daei

When I played in Europe, wherever I played, players knew in advance about their schedule, when was the time to practice, to…

— Ali Daei

I will not summon any new player for the Saudi Arabia match in the 2010 World Cup qualification.

— Ali Daei

In my opinion taking charge of a well-prepared team is not a big job.

— Ali Daei

Football is getting more and more physical every day. There is no way to avoid contact.

— Ali Daei

The World Cup could be a jumping point for many players to change everything.

— Ali Daei

In Germany I am learning everything I need to be a professional.

— Ali Daei

I think I'd better lose 10 or 15 kilos and play up front to score.

— Ali Daei

You have to help a team in times of crisis.

— Ali Daei

This is really bad, when you create so many chances but you can't finish well.

— Ali Daei

Iran are very strong because we have many good players playing top-class football in Spain, Germany and England.

— Ali Daei