Cuauhtémoc Blanco vs Ali Daei: Stats Compared
Forward, Mexico (born 1973, retired 2014) · Striker, Iran (born 1969, retired 2007)
Ask any fan to rank Cuauhtémoc Blanco above or below Ali Daei and you will get a passionate answer. Silverware is the currency of legacy, and both players filled cabinets that few can rival. The raw numbers read 250 goals in 700 outings for Cuauhtémoc Blanco (0.36/game), versus 200 in 400 for Ali Daei (0.50/game). Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Cuauhtémoc Blanco is credited with 100 and Ali Daei with 0. Cuauhtémoc Blanco departs the game with 4 major pieces of silverware, including 3× Liga MX (1992, 2002, 2005); Ali Daei with 4, including 3× Iranian Football League (1990, 1991, 1993). Cuauhtémoc Blanco built his medal haul through years of flair-driven consistency, while Ali Daei won his with explosive bursts of brilliance. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Cuauhtémoc Blanco's landmark level arrived around 1998 with a career spanning América, Chicago Fire, Puebla FC; Ali Daei's came around 1999 across 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.
193 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
A flamboyant Mexican playmaker famed for inventing the 'Cuauhtemiña' skill move, Blanco starred at three World Cups across a 20-year career.
“A stocky, combative forward with outrageous flair, best remembered for hopping the ball between two defenders in a signature dribble.”
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
- 3× Liga MX (1992, 2002, 2005)
- 1× CONCACAF Champions' Cup (1992)
- 3× Iranian Football League (1990, 1991, 1993)
- 1× Hazfi Cup (1993)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1992 Professional debut for América
- 1992 Won Liga MX with América
- 1992 Won CONCACAF Champions' Cup with América
- 1998 Reached the peak of his powers at América
- 2014 Retired after a final spell at Puebla FC
- Finished his career with 250 goals in 700 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 250 goals in 700 appearances and 4 major honours.
- 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
The numbers give Cuauhtémoc Blanco the lead — a narrow margin, courtesy of a sharper goalscoring record.
Cuauhtémoc Blanco edges it (a narrow margin)
