The Record Holder's Stand: Why a Sporting Icon Became a Moral Compass

Crucially, Daei’s impact on the national team went beyond goalscoring; he was the tactical and emotional fulcrum. He spearheaded Iran’s qualification campaigns for the World Cups, particularly the iconic moment in 1998, which unleashed a euphoric wave of celebration across the country. In a nation often searching for reasons to cheer collectively, his leadership in these defining moments provided unforgettable memories, bonding millions of citizens to him through the shared experience of triumph and national self-assertion.