Kaká vs Ali Daei: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Brazil (born 1982, retired 2017) · Striker, Iran (born 1969, retired 2007)
Set Kaká alongside Ali Daei and the numbers start an argument of their own. Where pure finishing is concerned, this is a shootout between two of the most feared marksmen of their time. Kaká finishes with 237 career goals from 594 games — a 0.40 strike rate — against Ali Daei's 200 from 400 at 0.50 per match. Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. Kaká departs the game with 6 major pieces of silverware, including 1× FIFA World Cup (2002); Ali Daei with 4, including 3× Iranian Football League (1990, 1991, 1993). Where Kaká was a orchestrating presence in the box, Ali Daei offered a ruthless approach to goalscoring. Their routes to the top were distinct: Kaká built his reputation across São Paulo, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Orlando City, peaking around 2007, while Ali Daei reached his defining level around 1999 after spells with Persepolis, Arminia Bielefeld, Bayern Munich, Hertha BSC, Al-Sadd, Saba Qom. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
186 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
Brazilian attacking midfielder and 2007 Ballon d'Or winner; Champions League winner with AC Milan in 2007.
“A tall, graceful attacking midfielder who glided past defenders and finished with precision.”
The all-time leading international goalscorer for over a decade with 109 goals, Daei was Asia's most feared centre-forward through the 1990s and 2000s.
“A physically imposing, clinical target man dominant in the air and lethal in front of goal.”
Head-to-head stats
Career goals by season
Representative career seasons — goals per season for each player across their documented clubs.
Attribute radar
Attribute ratings are peak-era, 0–100. Different positions naturally skew the profile.
Attribute comparison
Trophy breakdown
- 1× FIFA World Cup (2002)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2007)
- 2× FIFA Confederations Cup (2005, 2009)
- 1× Serie A (2004)
- 1× La Liga (2012)
- 3× Iranian Football League (1990, 1991, 1993)
- 1× Hazfi Cup (1993)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2001 São Paulo breakthrough
- 2002 World Cup winner (limited role)
- 2003 Signed for AC Milan
- 2005 Lost the Champions League final in Istanbul
- 2007 Champions League winner and Ballon d'Or winner
- 2009 Record transfer to Real Madrid
- 2017 Retired at Orlando City
- 1988 Professional debut for Persepolis
- 1990 Won Iranian Football League with Persepolis
- 1993 Won Hazfi Cup with Persepolis
- 1999 Reached the peak of his powers at Bayern Munich
- 2007 Retired after a final spell at Saba Qom
- Finished his career with 200 goals in 400 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 200 goals in 400 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, Kaká is the choice: a decisive margin, with a stronger all-round attribute profile the deciding factor.
Kaká edges it (a decisive margin)
