Football’s 20 Greatest Club Header Scorers Since 2000

May 26, 2025 Oliver Obel

Scoring with your head is an art form in football — a combination of timing, strength, and instinct. Since the turn of the millennium, a select group of players have mastered it to become lethal aerial threats. Here’s a look at the 20 players with the most headed goals in club football since 2000, starting from number 20 and counting down to the undisputed king of the air.

20. Romelu Lukaku – 51 Headed Goals

Romelu Lukaku has built a career on physical dominance, and his heading ability is a major weapon. His presence in the box has led to 51 headed goals across Europe’s top leagues.

19. Guillaume Hoarau – 51 Headed Goals

Often flying under the radar, Guillaume Hoarau quietly established himself as a reliable target man. His aerial strength has earned him a place among the top 20 with 51 headed goals.

Read the full article

18. Olivier Giroud – 52 Headed Goals

Olivier Giroud is known for his elegant technique, but his aerial ability is just as potent. With 52 headed goals, he’s consistently proven to be a threat from crosses.

17. Sergio Ramos – 52 Headed Goals

The only defender on the list, Sergio Ramos’s ability to score with his head is legendary. His 52 goals often came in high-pressure moments, proving his big-game mentality.

16. Harry Kane – 53 Headed Goals

Harry Kane combines intelligence with clinical finishing, and his heading is no exception. With 53 goals, he’s a modern example of the complete striker.

15. Islam Slimani – 53 Headed Goals

Islam Slimani’s career has been defined by his strength in the air. His 53 headed goals showcase a consistent ability to convert aerial chances into goals.

14. Peter Crouch – 56 Headed Goals

Standing at 6’7″, Peter Crouch was born to dominate the air. His 56 headed goals were a natural extension of his towering presence and smart positioning.

13. Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 58 Headed Goals

Zlatan Ibrahimović — ph.FAB / Shutterstock.com

Zlatan Ibrahimovic combined flair with raw physical power, and his aerial game was no different. His 58 goals with his head reflect his unique blend of strength and skill.

12. Edinson Cavani – 58 Headed Goals

Cavani’s movement and anticipation made him lethal in the box. His 58 headed goals underline his consistency as a top-level finisher.

11. Miroslav Klose – 58 Headed Goals

Known for his precision and timing, Miroslav Klose was one of the best in the air. His 58 headed goals are part of a legacy built on reliability and instinct.

10. Karim Benzema – 59 Headed Goals

Benzema has adapted his game over time, and heading has remained one of his quiet strengths. His 59 headed goals cement his place among the most well-rounded forwards.

9. Mario Mandzukic – 60 Headed Goals

Mandzukic was known for his physicality and determination. His 60 headed goals were a result of his aggressive style and tactical awareness.

8. Edin Džeko – 62 Headed Goals

Edin Džeko has been a consistent threat across multiple leagues. His 62 goals with his head show how important aerial ability has been to his success.

7. Aritz Aduriz – 63 Headed Goals

Aduriz may not have had global fame, but his aerial prowess was elite. With 63 headed goals, he became a legend at Athletic Bilbao.

6. Bas Dost – 68 Headed Goals

Bas Dost thrived in systems that relied on crossing and finishing. His 68 goals via headers show how he turned simplicity into efficiency.

5. Radamel Falcao – 71 Headed Goals

Ramadel Falcao — Marco Iacobucci Epp / Shutterstock.com

Falcao’s explosive leap and timing gave defenders nightmares. His 71 headed goals are a reflection of his world-class instincts in the box.

4. Fernando Llorente – 77 Headed Goals

Tall, strong, and technically sound, Llorente was a quintessential target man. His 77 headed goals speak to his consistent threat on set pieces and crosses.

3. Robert Lewandowski – 83 Headed Goals

Lewandowski’s all-around brilliance includes his heading, where he has notched 83 goals. His combination of power, timing, and accuracy sets him apart.

2. Luuk De Jong – 84 Headed Goals

Luuk De Jong has quietly become one of the best aerial strikers in recent memory. His 84 headed goals underline his dominance in the air over two decades.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – 112 Headed Goals

Cristiano Ronaldo’s 112 headed goals are simply extraordinary. With unmatched leap, positioning, and hunger, he is the undisputed king of aerial scoring — nearly 30 goals ahead of anyone else.