Top 10 Footballers With The Most Header Goals In History

Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list with an incredible 153 headed goals, standing out for his remarkable aerial ability and record leap of 1.87 meters. The list includes legends like Gerd Müller with 144 headers, Jimmy McGrory at 147, and modern stars such as Robert Lewandowski, who has netted 110 headed goals. Others in the ranking are Hakan Şükür (115), Luuk de Jong (116), and Dixie Dean (125). This collection highlights players from various eras who mastered scoring with their heads.

Top 10 Players by Header Goals

• Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Al Nassr) - 153
• Jimmy McGrory (Scotland, Retired Celtic) - 147
• Gerd Müller (Germany, Retired Bayern Munich) - 144
• Carlos Alonso González "Santillana" (Spain, Retired Real Madrid) - 128
• Dixie Dean (England, Retired Everton) - 125
• Jared Borgetti (Mexico, Retired Monterrey) - 123
• Telmo Zarra (Spain, Retired Athletic Bilbao) - 122
• Luuk de Jong (Netherlands, Without Club) - 116
• Hakan Şükür (Turkey, Retired Galatasaray) - 115
• Robert Lewandowski (Poland, Barcelona) - 110

Insights Into Each Player

• Robert Lewandowski: The Polish striker, known for his versatility, tall stature, and deadly finishing, has scored 110 headed goals out of 554 total, making up about 19% of his career goals.
• Hakan Şükür: Turkey’s top scorer amassed 115 header goals from 327 total goals, with headers accounting for 35% of his tally. His aerial threat was key during Turkey’s 2002 World Cup run.
• Luuk de Jong: The Dutch forward, often underrated in the air, has 116 headed goals, which make up 37% of his 282 career goals, showcasing his cunning and jumping prowess.
• Telmo Zarra: A La Liga icon from the 40s and 50s, Zarra scored 122 headed goals, representing 36% of his 339 total goals. He was known for his positioning and technique despite the tough era he played in.
• Jared Borgetti: Famous for his precision, Borgetti scored 123 headed goals—nearly half (49%) of his 249 career goals. His signature header against Italy in the 2002 World Cup remains memorable.
• Dixie Dean: The English legend scored 125 headers, a massive 66% of his 188 goals, during a time when heavy leather balls made heading extremely challenging.
• Santillana: Despite being only 5’9", Santillana’s 128 headers (41% of 307 goals) show his impeccable timing and technique, making him a Real Madrid legend.
• Gerd Müller: Known for his lethal finishing, Müller bagged 144 headers, 47% of his 307 goals. His 1970 Ballon d’Or-winning talent included masterful aerial skills.
• Jimmy McGrory: The Scottish forward’s 147 header goals (35% of his 422) came despite a modest height of 5’6", proving his fearless and precise heading ability during the 1920s-30s.
• Cristiano Ronaldo: Scoring 153 headers out of 929 total goals (16%), Ronaldo's athleticism and timing make him the greatest header scorer ever. His jump height is unmatched in professional football.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who holds the record for most headed goals? Cristiano Ronaldo with 153 headers.
• Who is second on the list? Jimmy McGrory with 147 headed goals.
• Who leads in headed goals in the 21st century? Cristiano Ronaldo.
• How many headed goals has Robert Lewandowski scored? 107 so far.
• Who has the best header in football history? Cristiano Ronaldo is widely regarded as having the best header.
• Has Lionel Messi scored headed goals? Yes, Messi has scored 28 headed goals in his career.
• Who is considered the king of headers? Cristiano Ronaldo is often called the king of headers.