logo
The "Kings of Headers" List of the 21st Century

The "Kings of Headers" List of the 21st Century

Amir Haggag
Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, the star of Saudi club Al-Nassr, tops the list of the 20 most prolific headers at club level during the 21st century, according to a report issued by the global network lentedesportiva.
The global network added, "Heading is a technical skill that requires precise timing, courage, and physical strength. Some players have made it a decisive scoring weapon in their careers, most notably Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, who topped the list by a wide margin.
The complete list of the top headed scorers
The list of the top 20 headed scorers of the 21st century (2000–2025) is as follows:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – 110 goals
2. Luuk de Jong – 78 goals
3. Robert Lewandowski – 77 goals
4. Fernando Llorente – 75 goals
5. Radamel Falcao – 71 goals
6. Bas Dost – 64 goals
7. Aritz Aduriz – 63 goals
8. Mario Mandzukic – 60 goals
9. Edin Dzeko – 59 goals Goals
10. Zlatan Ibrahimović – 58 goals
11. Miroslav Klose – 58 goals
12. Edinson Cavani – 57 goals
13. Peter Crouch – 56 goals
14. Karim Benzema – 54 goals
15. Sergio Ramos – 51 goals
16. Raúl – 51 goals
17. Islam Slimani – 51 goals
18. Guillaume Hoarau – 51 goals
19. Olivier Giroud – 50 goals
20. Didier Drogba – 50 goals
read more
Japan Stun Spain 2-1 to Qualify for World Cup Last 16
World Cup 2022: Get to Know Confirmed Line-ups of Japan and Spain Group E Decider
Saudi Arabia Bid Farewell to World Cup after 2-1 Loss to Mexico
Tunisia Achieve Historic Win over France but Fail to Qualify
Tunisia to Clash against France in World Cup
Sports
Get to Know Squad of Group D Teams in World Cup
Sports
Al Ahly Gift EGP 70,000 to Players After Claiming Egyptian Super Cup Title
Sports
Bencharki Hits First 2 Goals with Al Jazira Since Leaving Zamalek
Sports
Arsenal Possible Line-up for Nottingham Forest
News
Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters
Arts & Culture
"Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date
News
China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier
Videos & Features
Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall
Lifestyle
Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt
Arts & Culture
South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle
Business
Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs
News
"Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence"
Sports
Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results
News
Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ahmed 'Kouka' Hassan joins Saudi side Al-Ettifaq - Talents Abroad
Ahmed 'Kouka' Hassan joins Saudi side Al-Ettifaq - Talents Abroad

Al-Ahram Weekly

time12 hours ago

  • Al-Ahram Weekly

Ahmed 'Kouka' Hassan joins Saudi side Al-Ettifaq - Talents Abroad

Egyptian towering striker Ahmed "Kouka" Hassan has joined Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ettifaq on a free transfer, the club announced on Thursday. Although the deal's details were not disclosed, reports suggested that the 32-year-old forward signed a one-year contract. The move could potentially mark the end of his long European journey, following a brief stint with French Ligue 1 side Le Havre, where he made 16 appearances, scoring three goals and registering one assist. Kouka began his European career in 2011, joining Rio Ave's U-19 team from Egyptian giants Ahly, where he broke into the senior squad in 2012. In the summer of 2015, he left Rio Ave to sign for Portuguese side SC Braga. He then embarked on a temporary spell with Greek side Olympiacos, which became permanent in the 2020 season. The nomadic striker moved to Turkey in 2021 on loan to Konyaspor, before playing for Alanyaspor in 2022. He then joined Pendikspor on a free transfer in September 2023. In February 2024, Kouka returned to Alanyaspor after becoming a free agent. His stay was short-lived, as he rejoined Rio Ave in August 2024 on a one-year deal. However, he made another switch in January 2025, signing for Le Havre in a Bosman deal until the end of the season. Al-Ettifaq finished seventh in the 2024/25 Saudi Pro League season. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:

Stars of squash - Sports - Al-Ahram Weekly
Stars of squash - Sports - Al-Ahram Weekly

Al-Ahram Weekly

time21 hours ago

  • Al-Ahram Weekly

Stars of squash - Sports - Al-Ahram Weekly

Champions Orfi and Zakaria secured their titles over their fellow countrymen and women Nadien Al-Hammami and Marwan Asal in the finals of the World Squash Junior Championship held at the Black Ball Sporting Club in Cairo. As reported by World Squash Federation, both champions have dominated the junior squash circuit in recent years. Orfi's win made her the first player in history to win the junior world championship four times. Zakaria comfortably followed up his win last year in Houston when he became the youngest ever male champion at age 16. Already up to world No 5, Orfi has looked like a generational talent ever since capturing the title for the first time aged just 15 in 2022. Her win the year before in Houston drew her level with national icon Nour Al-Sherbini – who was in the crowd watching the final alongside several other legends of Egyptian squash. For Orfi, the final represented an opportunity for her to claim the title. Looking determined and collected, Orfi clinched the first game 11-7, doubling her lead with a dominant 11-5 win. It was hard for Al-Hammami to find a way past Orfi's defence, and the top seed sealed her historic fourth title with another 11-5 victory. Celebrating her win and title record, Orfi told World Squash journalists how happy and proud she was of her achievement. 'I can't believe it. I've been dreaming about this moment since I was 10 years old. I knew Nour Al-Sherbini was the only player to have won it three times before and watching her here in the crowd was special. 'I'm over the moon and it's very special for me because it's my home crowd and everyone that I've been playing in front of since I was a very young junior,' she added. As World Squash reported, the men's final saw Zakaria proving he was a level above his competition as he delivered a completely one-sided 3-0 win over compatriot and 3/4 seed Asal who had shown promising signs in the first game, but could do little to beat the defences of world No 14 Zakaria, with the reigning champion retrieving excellently and punishing any loose shots to take game one 11-5. Unfortunately, the 17-year-old made several mistakes as Zakaria doubled his lead 11-3. Game three was more of the same, with Zakaria patient despite rallies often breaking down as the number of collisions increased. The top seed kept his cool, though, calmly going about his business and bringing the contest to a swift end with an 11-4 victory to extend his record in the World Juniors to 13 wins without a game dropped since the final of the 2023 championship. Following his win, Zakaria told the media 'it feels amazing. To do it in front of my parents and all of these legends in the front row makes it much more memorable. I think I played very well like I would have wanted. I'm very happy with my performances throughout the week and I'm thankful for my team for sticking with me, my parents and truly this amazing crowd. It's been an amazing week.' The World Squash Junior Championships brought together the world's best squash talents aged under 19, with the men's and women's individual championships taking place from 21-26 July, followed by the men's and women's team championships from 27 July to 1 August. At the closing ceremony, World Squash President Zena Wooldridge commented on how the tournament saw a huge attendance and fantastic atmosphere. 'I don't think there's another nation in the world that could support a World Junior Championship like what you have here. It shows how passionate Egypt is about squash and the number of legends you've had on court today just confirms that. 'This [Black Ball Sporting Club] is an amazing venue. I came here in 2022 and had my first tour around this venue and immediately thought this is an amazing venue for a World Championships.' * A version of this article appears in print in the 6 August, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:

TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2024: South Africa team profile
TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2024: South Africa team profile

CAF

timea day ago

  • CAF

TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2024: South Africa team profile

File Fact: Nickname: Bafana Bafana Total Appearances: Three (2011, 2014, 2025) Last Appearance: Algeria 2022 (Did not qualify) Titles: 0 FIFA Ranking: 56 Coach: Molefe Ntseki Captain: Neo Maema South Africa Eye First Knockout Spot At TotalEnergies CHAN Having qualified for the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) for only the fourth time, South Africa will be hoping to finally break their group-stage curse and go deeper into the tournament. Bafana Bafana's CHAN journey has been a mixed one. Their best performance came in 2014 on home soil when they made it out of the group stages but were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Nigeria. Since then, they've struggled to make a meaningful impact, with disappointing campaigns in 2016 and failure to qualify in 2018 and 2022. This year, South Africa return with renewed intent and a squad selected from the country's domestic-based players, giving a platform for local talent to shine on the continental stage. Despite hosting the tournament in 2014, they've never reached the semi-final stage. This year presents a big opportunity to rewrite that history. What To Expect: There is cautious optimism around this Bafana Bafana team, which features domestic league standouts and emerging stars the lower division. With more technical depth and attacking flair than in previous editions, expectations are that Ntseki's side will aim to at least make the knockout phase. Fan Zone: Did you know? South Africa's only senior continental title came at the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 1996 on home soil. Since then, the country has been chasing another major trophy at senior level. While CHAN is not contested with overseas-based players, it remains a prestigious platform, especially for homegrown talent seeking to break into the senior Bafana Bafana squad for future TotalEnergies CAF AFCON or World Cup campaigns. How They Qualified: South Africa sealed their spot at the finals after a dominant 2-1 aggregate win over Malawi in the final qualification round. Under the guidance of coach Molefi, the squad impressed over both legs with attacking intent and solid defensive shape. Key Player To Watch: Neo Maema The Mamelodi Sundowns attacking midfielder is a visionary player who is renowned for both creating and finishing off scoring chances. His influence was vital as Bafana Bafana managed to qualify for the next edition of the CHAN. Know The Coach: Know The Coach: Molefi Ntseki Molefi Ntseki returns to the national team fold with the responsibility of guiding Bafana Bafana's CHAN squad. The 54-year-old previously served as head coach of the senior national team from 2019 to 2021, having also worked extensively within SAFA's youth structures, including the U17 and U20 teams. Known for his tactical discipline and deep knowledge of domestic football, Ntseki is seen as a coach who can get the best out of locally-based players. His focus on structured build-up play and defensive organisation will be key in South Africa's quest to make it past the group stage for just the second time in TotalEnergies CAF CHAN history. Past CHAN Performances: 2011 (Sudan): Group Stage Exit Group Stage Exit 2013 (South Africa): Quarter-final (Lost to Nigeria) Quarter-final (Lost to Nigeria) 2016 (Rwanda): Did Not Qualify Did Not Qualify 2019 (Morocco) Did not qualify Did not qualify 2022 (Algeria): Did not qualify

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store