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Top 10 Footballers with the Most Header Goals in History
Top 10 Footballers with the Most Header Goals in History
Cristiano Ronaldo tops this list with an astonishing 153 headed goals throughout his career. The ranking also features legends like Gerd Müller with 144 goals and Jimmy McGrory with 147, alongside contemporary stars such as Robert Lewandowski who has 110 headers to his name. Ronaldo’s exceptional aerial skill, highlighted by a record jump of 1.87 meters, distinguishes him among the greats. Other prominent names include Hakan Şükür (115), Luuk de Jong (116), and Dixie Dean (125). This lineup celebrates those who mastered scoring with their heads across different football eras.
Players with Most Header Goals
- Robert Lewandowski (Poland) - 110 headed goals
- Hakan Şükür (Turkey) - 115 headed goals
- Luuk de Jong (Netherlands) - 116 headed goals
- Telmo Zarra (Spain) - 122 headed goals
- Jared Borgetti (Mexico) - 123 headed goals
- Dixie Dean (England) - 125 headed goals
- Carlos Alonso González “Santillana” (Spain) - 128 headed goals
- Gerd Müller (Germany) - 144 headed goals
- Jimmy McGrory (Scotland) - 147 headed goals
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - 153 headed goals
Heading a ball in football demands precision, timing, and physical strength. These players not only scored with their feet but also excelled at turning aerial chances into memorable goals.
Detailed Look at the Top 10
- Robert Lewandowski: The Polish striker, now at Barcelona, is a modern goal-scoring machine, with 110 headers out of 554 total goals, making up 19% of his career tally. His tall frame and skill make him a constant threat in the air.
- Hakan Şükür: Turkey's top scorer retired after a successful career including Galatasaray. With 115 headed goals from 327 total, nearly 35% of his goals came from headers, marking his dominance in aerial duels.
- Luuk de Jong: Known for his aerial prowess, the Dutch forward has scored 116 headers out of 282 goals, which is 37%. His ability to win aerial battles helped him rise to 8th on this list.
- Telmo Zarra: A La Liga legend with Athletic Bilbao, he amassed 122 headers during a time when the game was more physical. He scored 36% of his 339 goals with his head.
- Jared Borgetti: Mexico’s iconic striker scored 123 headers, accounting for almost half (49%) of his 249 goals. His famous header against Italy in the 2002 World Cup remains legendary.
- Dixie Dean: An English icon from the early 20th century, Dean scored 125 headers, an incredible 66% of his 188 goals, despite heavy balls and tough conditions.
- Santillana: Real Madrid’s aerial master, standing only 5’9", scored 128 headers from 307 goals, making 41% of his goals come from headers thanks to his timing and technique.
- Gerd Müller: The German star scored 144 headers, 47% of his 307 goals, known for his clever positioning and finishing skills despite not being very tall.
- Jimmy McGrory: The Celtic legend managed 147 headers, about 35% of his 422 goals, defying his 5’6" height with fearless aerial challenges.
- Cristiano Ronaldo: Leading with 153 headers out of 929 goals (16%), Ronaldo combines athleticism and timing to dominate aerially, holding the record for highest jump in football history at 1.87 meters.
Key Stats Summary
- Robert Lewandowski: 554 total goals, 110 headers, 19%
- Hakan Şükür: 327 total goals, 115 headers, 35%
- Luuk de Jong: 282 total goals, 116 headers, 37%
- Telmo Zarra: 339 total goals, 122 headers, 36%
- Jared Borgetti: 249 total goals, 123 headers, 49%
- Dixie Dean: 188 total goals, 125 headers, 66%
- Santillana: 307 total goals, 128 headers, 41%
- Gerd Müller: 307 total goals, 144 headers, 47%
- Jimmy McGrory: 422 total goals, 147 headers, 35%
- Cristiano Ronaldo: 929 total goals, 153 headers, 16%
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who holds the record for the most headed goals? Cristiano Ronaldo, with 153 headed goals.
- Who has the second most headed goals? Jimmy McGrory, with 147 goals.
- Which player leads in headed goals this century? Cristiano Ronaldo.
- How many headed goals has Robert Lewandowski scored? 110.
- Who has the best header in football history? Many consider Cristiano Ronaldo the best header.
- How many headed goals does Lionel Messi have? 28.
- Is Cristiano Ronaldo the king of headers? Yes, he is widely regarded as such.
- Has Messi ever scored a header? Yes, several times.
