A list of the highest jumps in soccer: Find out which soccer player has the highest vertical

A list of the highest jumps in soccer: Find out which soccer player has the highest vertical

Helix Odhiambo
updated at November 5, 2023 at 11:19 AM
In this article:
Zlatan Ibrahimović logo
Z. Ibrahimović
AC Milan logoFSweden logo
Cristiano Ronaldo logo
C. Ronaldo
Al Nassr FC logoFPortugal logo

Soccer has talented players gifted at dribbling and scoring, while others can jump higher than their opponents to win aerial balls. Stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimović, and Youssef En-Nesyri have the highest jumps in soccer, thanks to their heights and ability to leap. Who has the highest jump in soccer?

Who did the highest jump in soccer?
Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski jumps higher than Real Madrid players during their UEFA Champions League semi-final 1st leg match at the Allianz Arena on 25 April 2018 in Munich, Germany. Photo: Boris Streubel
Source: Getty Images

Who has the record for the highest jump in soccer? Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the highest soccer jump in history. The Al Nassr forward is one of the best players in history. His incredible jumps have earned him heroic nicknames like 'Superman'. This article lists top players whose leaps have left fans astonished.

World's highest jump in soccer

Jumping high helps players win aerial balls and even score headers. Some soccer stars can leap as high as an average NBA player. So, who did the highest jump in soccer? Ronaldo has the highest jump by a soccer player. He is also the highest scorer in football history.

The Al Nassr forward became the highest goal scorer with headers in football history after bagging a crucial head ball for the Saudi Arabia club in August 2023. Cristiano converted Sultan Al Ghanam's cross in the 74th minute with a powerful header against US Monastir in a King Salman Club Cup game.

World's highest jumps in soccer
German striker Gerd Müller (No. 13) leaps higher than Swedish defenders during their World Cup match at Rheinstadion, Düsseldorf, on 30 June 1974. Germany won 4-2. Photo: Karl Schnörrer
Source: Getty Images

The Portuguese took his tally to 145-headed goals, breaking Gerd Muller's record of 144. Other legends with the most header goals are Spain's Carlos Santillana (125) and Brazilian Pele (124). Leaps highlight a player's physical prowess and ability to surpass the opponents in aerial dominance.

Top 10 highest jumps in football

Player

Jump height

Year

Cristiano Ronaldo

2.93 m

2013

Youssef En-Nesyri

2.78 m

2022

Bevis Mugabi

2.62 m

2021

Fikayo Tomori

2.61 m

2021

Victor Osimhen

2.58 m

2023

Cristiano Ronaldo

2.56 m

2019

Zlatan Ibrahimović

2.53 m

2020

Cristiano Ronaldo

2.44 m

2021

Cristiano Ronaldo

2.44 m

2019

Cristiano Ronaldo

2.44 m

2011

Cristiano Ronaldo has most of the highest soccer jumps in history. He achieved the records during his time at Real Madrid and Juventus. So, how high is the highest jump in soccer? Here is a breakdown of the top 10 best leaps by players.

10. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid vs Osasuna, 2011) - 2.44 m

How high can CR7 jump?
Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid heads the ball during their La Liga match against Osasuna at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on 6 November 2011 in Madrid, Spain. Photo: Angel Martinez
Source: Getty Images

The former Real Madrid star stunned the world with his incredible leap in a La Liga match against Osasuna in November 2011. Cristiano bagged a hat-trick as Real won 7-1, but his towering header stole the show. He rose 2.44 m to head the ball in the right-wing corner into the box.

9. Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus vs Torino, 2019) - 2.44 m

Who has the record for the highest jump in soccer?
Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo heads the ball during the Italian Serie A football match against Torino on 3 May 2019 at the Allianz stadium in Turin. Photo: Marco Bertorello
Source: Getty Images

Cristiano registered 21 goals and eight assists in his debut season (2018-19) in Serie A. One of his memorable goals that season was in a Turin derby, where he leapt higher than his marker to score an equaliser for Juventus against Torino in the 84th minute. The goal helped Juve secure a point, crucial in their league chase.

8. Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus vs Sassuolo, 2021) - 2.44 m

Highest vertical jump in soccer
Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus outjumps Sassuolo goalkeeper Andrea Consigli during their Serie A match at Allianz Stadium on 10 January 2021 in Turin, Italy. Photo: Jonathan Moscrop
Source: Getty Images

Ronaldo's leap against Sassuolo in January 2021 matched his previous marks in 2011 and 2019. The Portuguese rose 2.44 m to beat goalkeeper Andrea Consigli in an aerial duel despite having the benefits of his arms to win the ball.

7. Zlatan Ibrahimović (AC Milan vs Inter Milan, 2020) - 2.53 m

Record for highest jump in soccer
AC Milan legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic in an aerial duel with Inter Milan players during their Serie A match at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on 9 February 2020 in Milan, Italy. Photo: Claudio Villa, Pablo Morano, Alessandro Sabattini (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

The Swedish retired footballer scored hundreds of goals, including volleys, long-range strikes, and stunning headers that left fans applauding. His assists made headlines, too, including the 2.53 m jump against Inter Milan in the Milan derby in February 2020.

Zlatan's leap enabled him to nod the ball to Ante Rebić, who scored the opening goal of the game despite losing 4-2 to their city rivals. The Swedish hung his boots in June 2023, aged 41.

6. Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus vs Sampdoria, 2019) - 2.56 m

Who has the highest vertical jump in soccer?
Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo (top) jumps above Sampdoria's players to score a header during their Italian Serie match on 18 December 2019 at the Luigi-Ferraris stadium in Genoa. Photo: Marco Bertorello (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

The Portuguese star made another historic jump, his second-highest in a Serie A match against Sampdoria in December 2019. He converted a classic textbook header from Alex Sandro's cross, making it 2-1 for Juve and earning three crucial points.

5. Victor Osimhen (Napoli vs Spezia, 2023) - 2.58 m

Highest jump by a soccer player
Napoli's Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen (top) scores a header and his team's second goal during their Italian Serie A match against Spezia on 5 February 2023 at the Alberto-Picco stadium in La Spezia. Photo: Alberto Pizzoli (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Osimhen had an outstanding 2022-23 season with Napoli, finishing as Serie A top scorer with 26 goals in 32 league matches. His goals helped Napoli win their first league title since 1990. The Nigerian's ability to jump high has also grabbed attention.

In January 2023, Osimhen made history by rising 2.58 m high, beating Spezia goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski to double Napoli's lead. His leap ranks among the top five highest in soccer.

4. Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan vs Juventus, 2021) - 2.61 m

Highest jump by a soccer player
AC Milan's Fikayo Tomori (R) heads the ball past Moise Kean of Juventus during their Italian Serie A match on 19 September 2021 at Allianz Stadium in Turin, Italy. Photo: Nderim Kaceli
Source: Getty Images

English defender Fikayo Tomori smashed Ronaldo's highest jump record in the Serie A after scoring a powerful header in Milan's 3-0 victory over Juventus in May 2021. Fikayo rose 2.61 m, outjumping Giorgio Chiellini and other Juve defenders to head home from a free-kick cross.

3. Bevis Mugabi (Motherwell vs Ross County, 2021) - 2.62 m

Top 10 highest jumps in football
Bevis Mugabi (L) scores a header for Motherwell in a 2-1 win over Ross County during their Scottish Premiership match at The Global Energy Arena on 27 January 2021, in Dingwall, Scotland. Photo: Alan Harvey
Source: Getty Images

The Ugandan defender is not a popular figure in world football, but his record-breaking leap against Ross Cross in February 2021 made him famous. Bevis was born in Harrow and played several games for the Ugandan national team. The Motherwell defender scored a towering header after jumping 2.62 m high, the third-highest leap in football.

2. Youssef En-Nesyri (Morocco vs Portugal, 2022) - 2.78m

Highest header jumps in football history
Youssef En Nesyri (no. 19) of Morocco scores a stunning header in a 1-0 win over Portugal during the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals at the Al Thumama Stadium on 10 December 2022 in Doha, Qatar. Photo: Jeroen van den Berg
Source: Getty Images

En-Nesyri recorded the highest jump in the soccer World Cup before notching a stunning header to find the back of the net against Portugal in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The Sevilla and Moroccan striker hung in the air (2.78 m), beating goalkeeper Diogo Costa to score the winner in a 1-0 victory, sending his nation to their first-ever World Cup semi-final. So, who has the highest vertical jump in soccer?

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid vs Manchester United, 2013) - 2.93 m

Ronaldo's highest jump
Cristiano Ronaldo (no.7) of Real Madrid scores one of the best header goals in football during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match against Manchester United at Santiago Bernabeu on 13 February 2013 in Madrid, Spain. Photo: Manuel Blondeau
Source: Getty Images

How high can CR7 jump? Cristiano Ronaldo's highest jump of 2.93 m came against Manchester United in March 2013. The former Real Madrid star towered over his friend and former teammate Patrice Evra before heading the ball into the back of the net.

CR7's classic header earned Madrid a point in a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the 2012-13 Champions League Round of 16 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

'Jumping to the conclusion'

Cristiano Ronaldo has broken dozens of records and set new ones. Some of his achievements could last forever, like having the highest jumps in soccer. The Portuguese has proved his leaping ability, with many likening him to basketball legend Michael Jordan.

READ ALSO: Soccer players with glasses: A list of players who wear glasses

Sports Brief published a list of famous soccer stars known for wearing glasses on and off the field. Although FIFA rules and regulations prohibit players from wearing any gear that may pose a danger to themselves or other players, some are allowed to use it if the spectacles are not a danger in the referee's opinion.

Footballers with poor or limited eyesight can wear specially designed, plastic-framed spectacles with antiglare and fitting bands around their heads. The list includes former Barcelona and Netherlands midfielder Edgar Davids and Cameroon legend Alex Song. Follow the above link to learn more.

Authors
Helix Odhiambo photo
Helix Odhiambo
Helix Odhiambo is an award-winning Kenyan journalist and content creator with over 6 years of experience. In 2016, he won the Goal Blaze Correspondent Award for young writers.