Team Melli legend Daei leads this race with an impressive total of 14 AFC Asian Cup goals.
Daei was the top scorer in his maiden continental appearance in 1996, netting eight goals; a record for any player in a single AFC Asian Cup tournament. Half of Daei’s goals in 1996 came in one match, against Korea Republic in the quarter-final as Iran won 6-2. He is one of just four players to have bagged four in one game to date.
Four years later in Lebanon, Daei added three more goals, all in the group stage.
The iconic striker took his overall tally to 14 in 2004 when he was 35 years old. A goal against Thailand and a brace against Bahrain ensured the Iranian would hold this record for many years to come.
Daei’s nearest chaser is Korea Republic’s Lee Dong-gook who has 10 AFC Asian Cup goals to his name. Although Lee is still active at club level with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motor, the 39-year-old is unlikely to be part of the Taeguk Warriors’ setup for UAE 2019.