Ali Daei held the record for most international goals scored until Cristiano Ronaldo beat him in 2021. He reported that his family’s flight from Tehran was redirected after he actively supported recent protests.

A record-setting Iranian footballer who criticized the government’s crackdown on anti-regime protestors stated that his family was unable to leave the country.

Ali Daei, who scored 109 international goals for Iran, the most for any nation until Cristiano Ronaldo broke his record, stated that his wife and daughter were questioned by officials after their flight was diverted.

According to the former footballer, they left the Iranian capital of Tehran officially before their plane made an unexpected stop on Kish Island in the Persian Gulf.

The 53-year-old Daei reported that his daughter was liberated, but the aircraft doors had already closed. He stated that his family planned to travel to Dubai and return the following week.

Following the death of a lady in police custody, he has publicly endorsed anti-government demonstrations.

His passport was momentarily seized upon his return to the United States earlier this year.

On social media, the former team captain had encouraged the Iranian government to “address the concerns of the Iranian people without repression, bloodshed, or imprisonment.

Flightradar24 indicates that Mahan Air Flight W563 was diverted to Kish Island before continuing to Dubai a few hours later.

The airline and Iranian officials also declined to comment.

The semi-official Tasnim news agency, known to be loyal to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, said earlier this month that Daei’s wife was granted a travel ban due to her support for the protests.

It was stated that his wife attempted to circumvent the prohibition illegally, but no further details were provided, and that her final destination was the United States.

Before he became the manager of his team, Daei had scored more international goals than any other player.

Last year, Ronaldo surpassed Daei’s record and now leads the world with 118 international goals for Portugal.

Daei continues in second place with 109 points, followed by Lionel Messi of Argentina with 98.

He is one of several prominent Iranians who have supported recent protests against the Islamic theocracy.

The death in September of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who had been jailed for wearing “inappropriate clothes” according to Iran’s interpretation of the Islamic dress code, sparked nationwide demonstrations.

Amir Nasr-Azadani, a 26-year-old football player, is facing the death penalty for his participation in nationwide demonstrations.

The authorities have blamed foreign opponents such as the United States and Israel for the latest turmoil.

The paramilitary Revolutionary Guard announced on Sunday that it had arrested seven protesters having a “direct link” to the United Kingdom.