The Art of Heading: Ranking the Top Footballers

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In the realm of football, the art of heading is a skill that distinguishes the greatest players. This skill combines precision, power, and timing, resulting in fantastic goals that remain etched in football history. The following piece explores the prowess of some of the most remarkable footballers who have mastered this skill.

Understanding the Art of Heading

Heading the ball in football is a unique technique. While height can help a player rise above defenders and score without using their feet, it isn’t a prerequisite for becoming one of the best headers in the history of football. Numerous talented players have showcased this skill over the years, each with their unique style and technique.

Here’s a list of five of the greatest headers in football history.

1. Javier Hernandez (5ft 7in)

Despite standing at just 5ft7in, Javier Hernandez, also known as Chicharito, has one of the most unorthodox techniques for heading a football. From his audacious backwards header against Stoke City in 2010 to the simple poke home at the back post, Chicharito gained popularity for his poaching skills.

In his Premier League career, he scored all his 53 goals from inside the box. During his spells with Manchester United, Bayer Leverkusen, Real Madrid, West Ham United, and LA Galaxy, Hernandez amassed 205 goals in 540 career club appearances. His international record for Mexico is equally impressive, scoring 52 goals in 109 appearances.

2. John Charles (6ft 2in)

John Charles, nicknamed ‘The Gentle Giant’, was anything but gentle on the field. Known for his attacking power in the box and in the air, as well as his pace and strength, Charles was a formidable force. He began his career at Leeds United as a centre-half, but quickly transitioned to a forward, scoring 154 goals in 317 appearances during his two spells at the club.

Charles’ strength and power never led to a booking in his career, but they certainly contributed to his career total of almost 400 goals in over 700 club appearances. He is considered a true footballing great, with some even naming him as the greatest ever British footballer.

3. Christian Vieri (6ft 1in)

Christian Vieri holds the record for the most headed goals in Serie A history, earning him a spot on this list. Known in Italy for his direct attacking style, with pace, power, and aggression, Vieri was nicknamed ‘The Bull’ during his playing days. Despite a career plagued with injuries, he showcased a natural aerial ability, scoring numerous goals with his head.

Vieri had successful spells at Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, and Lazio. His most prolific time was with Inter, where he scored 123 goals in 190 appearances. His list of individual honors includes Serie A Footballer of the Year 1999, Serie A Italian Footballer of the Year 1999 & 2002, Serie A Top Scorer 2002/03, and 1998 FIFA World Cup Silver Boot, among others.

4. Peter Crouch (6ft 7in)

Peter Crouch holds the Guinness World Record for the most headed goals scored in the Premier League, with a tally of 51 goals over 19 campaigns. With a senior career spanning 21 years and scoring over two centuries of goals, Crouch is one of the most-loved attackers in English football. At 6ft7in, his presence on and off the pitch was difficult to ignore. Despite a lack of significant pace and strength, Crouch relied heavily on his ability in the air, hence his record number of headed goals.

5. Cristiano Ronaldo (6ft 1in)

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best players to kick or head a ball in the history of football. Since 2002, Ronaldo has scored 813 goals, topping the all-time list of top goalscorers. In his club career, Ronaldo boasts 701 goals in 951 appearances, with 112 of them being scored with his head. Known for his high leaps, Ronaldo is recognized for his header against Manchester United in the 2012/13 season, and another against Sampdoria during the 2019/20 season.