Top 10 Players With Most Headed Goals in Football History

In football, a header is the second most useful way to score goals and many players have turned this into an art. Some of the game’s big players, including the likes of Pelé, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gerd Müller and Robert Lewandowski, have amassed a lot of headed goals in their career. Many left the sport years ago, while many still carry their scoring legacy forward. 

Scoring headers is no small task as it requires a great amount of composure and precision to convert headers into goals. There are a bunch of star forwards who not only have used feet to bring goals, but also they have relied on their heading ability to find the back of the net. We bring you the top 10 players with the most headed goals to date in the history of football.

List of footballers with the most headed goals in history

10. Aritz Aduriz (63)

The former La Liga player was an exceptional header of the ball. In fact, his main attacking strength was his heading ability which brought him a lot of goals for his club Athletic where he plied his trade for most of his career. The Spaniard’s 63 header goals signify his aerial strength. The former Spanish international held the record of the most headed goals scored by a player until Cristiano Ronaldo broke it.

9. Bas Dost (67)

The former Sporting CP forward was a brute force when it came to headers. The Dutch international scored a whooping 67 goals using his head. This stat showcases how dangerous he was in the air. Bas Dost used his scoring skills in the best way possible to clinch a lot of goals. But, his aerial goal-scoring prowess was something else; something to be cherished for the years to come. During his playing time, he was labeled as one of the prominent aerial threats in European football. 

8. Radamel Falcao (71)

Falcao is arguably the best forward Colombia has ever produced. The former Atlético Madrid number nine’s name is on the list of the most headed goals scored by a player because of scoring exploits that used to terrorize the opponents. Falcao is the perfect example of an opportunist, who used to sneak past the defensive wall of the opponents and produce a leap up to complete a quick-headed goal. Colombia’s El Tigre was not very tall like other strikers. But, his jump timing and presence in the penalty box made him a constant threat in the air. And it is no surprise that he has amassed 71-headed goals in his career. 

7. Fernando Llorente (77)

Whenever the names of the best headers in football will be discussed, Fernando Llorente’s name will be among the cards. Having played with some of the big clubs across the world such as Sevilla, Napoli, Spurs and Juventus, the forward made it a habit to convert headers into amazing goals. Among many other attacking skills, the former Athletic Club striker was famous for his aerial superiority and precise headers. Llorente netted less than 200 goals in his career that lasted until 2022, and 77 of them came from headers. What a header of the ball he was! 

6. Robert Lewandowski (82)

Poland’s Robert Lewandowski is a modern-day phenomenon when it comes to scoring goals. Lewandowski means goals, and exactly for that reason, Barcelona signed the player after Lionel Messi left the club. Right foot, left foot, chest, head, you name it. Lewandowski can score using any part of his body just like Cristiano Ronaldo does. His tall physique makes it difficult for the defenders to keep him under check all the time. The 34-year-old forward already has 82 header goals to his name and looks to add a lot more in the upcoming years. It is needless to say he will climb up the list of the most-headed goals before hanging up his boots.

5. Luuk de Jong (85)

The Dutchman is probably the most underrated header of the ball in football history. He has 85 headed goals in his collection. That’s a crazy number. The 34-year-old PSV Eindhoven skipper can easily outsmart and outmaneuver the defenders in aerial battle, thanks to his cunningness and jumping ability. Most of his goals including the headers came in the Eredivisie where he has used his full potential to score week in and week out. 

4. Pelé (124)

You talk about any footballing record and Pelé is there. The evergreen legend of football is in the fourth spot on the list of most-headed goals. Those who have seen him play, know he had no weakness in terms of attacking capabilities. Football fans still remember his exquisite finish against Italy in the 1970 World Cup, where he leaped the highest to produce one of the best-headed goals ever. Scoring headers was like a walk in the park for the former Brazilian international. With 124 headed goals, he became one of the top players with the most headed goals in football history. 

3. Carlos Alonso González (125)

Carlos Alonso González, widely known as Santillana, is a former Real Madrid striker, who is famous for his loyalty and incredible headers. He stayed at the Santiago Bernabéu for 17 seasons, making him one of the legends of the club. In his 531 club appearances, González scored 125 headed goals. The Spaniard’s heading skills and on-time leaps made him a prolific header and a useful tool for his team during the set-pieces. 

2. Gerd Müller (144)

There was a time when German football was hyped by the presence of the legendary Gerd Müller. He has netted 144 headers in his career, underlining his ability to outwit opponents in the aerial battle. The 1970 Ballon d’Or winner was a beast in the air and knew how to deceive his markers during corners. He was almost 6 feet tall, which aided him in scoring headers. It is fair to say that the former Germany international isn’t moving from this spot in the near future.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (146)

Cristiano Ronaldo is a goal machine. The former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward has already clocked 895 strikes in his senior professional career. Since starting his journey back in 2004, the Portuguese international is still going strong. Twenty years into the arena of football, Ronaldo has already established himself as one of the greatest players in the world through his never-ending passion, great athleticism and physical strength. Ronaldo becomes a nightmare to the defenders when he stays present in the penalty box. The Portuguese forward has the record for making the highest jump (1.87 meters) in professional football. With 146 headers to his name, Ronaldo is the number one player with the most headed goals in the history of football. 

Also Read: 10 Best Header Goals of All Time in Football

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