If you’re searching for the top Pakistani footballers, this article is for you. We’ve checked many of the best soccer players and selected these 11 players who perform the best in Pakistan’s internal football matches.
Before starting the article, please note these points:
- All these players are ranked 1st, 2nd, or 3rd based on their high appearance in matches as Pakistani internal players.
- Some players might excel in games while others shine when playing for other countries (outside Pakistan). We’ve ranked them only based on their appearances and goals achieved for the Pakistan internal team.
- All the information has been gathered from the internet, mainly from Wikipedia.org and some from FootballPakistan.com. We’ve condensed it to provide you with the most important and too the point information.
Let’s get started
11. Atif Bashir
17 Games and 2 Goals
Full Name: Atif Qureshi Bashir
Date of Birth: Born 3 April 1985 (age 39)
Place of Birth: West Berlin, West Germany
Height: 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Total Games for Pakistan: 17 Games & 2 Goals
Position: Center Back
Record: achieved Cult Hero Status, becoming their first international player
Atif Bashir is another Pakistani football player, born in Germany on 3 April 1985, Born to a German Turkish mother and British Pakistani father. Enter in the football world in 1994 and played for Pakistan from 2008–2011, played 17 games and 2 goals. Bashir achieved Cult Hero Status at Barry Town in Wales, becoming their first international player
- Full name: Atif Qureshi Bashir
- Date of birth: Born 3 April 1985 (age 39)
- Place of Birth: West Berlin, West Germany
- Height: 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
- Total Games for Pakistan: 17 Games & 2 Goals
- Position: Center Back
10. Muhammad Riaz:
18 Games and 2 Goals
Full Name: Muhammad Riaz
Date of Birth: 27 February 1996 (age 28)
Place of Birth: Hangu, KPK, Pakistan
Height: 5 feet 7inche
Total Games for Pakistan: 18 Games & 2 Goal
Position: Attacking midfielder / Winger
Muhammad Riaz is another young and skilled footballer from Pakistan, serving as an inspiration for young players. He was born in Hangu, KPK, Pakistan, on 27 February 1996 (age 28). He is known for his speed, control, and adaptability on the field. Whether as a midfielder or winger, he shines.
Riaz has played for both club and national teams, earning praise for his talent. Riaz entered the football scene in 2010, playing for the first time with Islamabad United, and represented Pakistan internationally from 2013 to 2018, making 18 appearances and scoring 2 goals.
9. Zesh Rehman:
25 Games and 1 Goal
Full Name: Zeshan Rehman
Date of Birth: 14 October 1983 (40 years old)
Place of Birth: Birmingham, England
Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Total Games for Pakistan: 25 Games & 1 Goal
Position: Defender
Record: First Pakistani international footballer to play football in England, Thailand, Hong Kong and Malaysia, 4 clean sheets in Premier League
Zeshan Rehman is the first Pakistani to play professional football across various leagues in England, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Born in Birmingham, England, on 14 October 1983 (making him 40 years old), he entered the football world in 2003 and represented Pakistan from 2005 to 2019. He has almost 35K followers on his Instagram Page. During his time with Pakistan, he played 25 games and scored 1 goal.
8. Adnan Farooq:
27 Games and 4 Goals
Full Name: Adnan Ahmad Farooq
Date of Birth: 7 June 1984 (39 years old)
Place of Birth: Burnley, England
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Total Games for Pakistan: 27 Games & 4 Goals
Position: Midfielder
Adnan Farooq Ahmed is a professional midfielder, born in Burnley, England, on 7 June 1984 (39 years old). He entered the football world before 1994 and played for Pakistan from 2007 to 2013. During his time with Pakistan, he played 27 games and scored 4 goals. Known for his vision, ball control, technique, creativity, and passing, he made his debut in a World Cup qualifier against Iraq in 2007.
7. Saadullah Khan:
33 Games and 5 Goals
Full Name: Saadullah Khan
Date of Birth: 4 June 1994 (age 29)
Place of Birth: Pishin, Balochistan, Pakistan
Height: 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Total Games for Pakistan: 33 Games and 5 goals
Position: Attacking midfielder / Winger
Record: Won the Pakistan Premier League title four times and National Football Challenge Cup 2 times
Saadullah Khan is another Pakistani Hafiz-e-Quran soccer player. He was born in Pishin, Pakistan on 4 June 1994 (age 29). From childhood, Saadullah loved playing football and played as a Pakistani internal player from 2009, appearing in 33 games and scoring 5 goals. He won the Pakistan Premier League title four times from 2011 to 2014 and the National Football Challenge Cup twice in 2011 and 2012. Saadullah is 18k+ followers on his Instagram Page, Currently, he is a free agent.
6. Kaleemullah Khan:
33 Games and 5 Goals
Full Name: Kaleemullah Khan
Nick Name: Pride of Pakistan
Date of Birth: 20 September 1992
Place of Birth: Chaman, Balochistan, Pakistan
Height: 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Total Games for Pakistan: 33 Games and 5 goals
Position: Midfielder / Forward
Record: First Pakistani player in the US, First Pakistani to Score 100 Goals in Pakistan football club, Highest Instagram followers
The first Pakistani soccer player who played in the United States Major League Soccer was Kaleemullah Khan. Born in the Pathan city of Chaman, Balochistan, Pakistan, on 20 September 1992 (making him 31 years old), Kaleemullah entered the football world in 2008 and represented the Pakistan National Team from 2011 to 2020.
He played 33 games for Pakistan and scored 5 goals. Additionally, he plays in the Iraqi Premier League for Zakho FC. Kaleemullah Khan, nicknamed the “Pride of Pakistan,” is the first player from Pakistan to score more than 100 goals in professional club tournaments. Kaleemullah Khan has almost 50K Instagram followers on his Instagram page.
5. Yousuf Butt: Goalkeeper
Full Name: Yousuf Ijaz Butt
Date of Birth: 18 October 1989 (age 34)
Place of Birth: Vanløse, Denmark
Height: 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Total Games for Pakistan: 28 Games
Position: Goalkeeper
Record: best goalkeepers in South Asia, played 400+ divisional games in Denmark
Yousaf Butt is the best goalkeeper in South Asia, born on 18 October 1989 in Vanløse, Denmark, but he represents Pakistan. Yousaf entered the football world in 2004 and began representing Pakistan after 2012. He has played 28 games for the Pakistan National Football Team according to Wikipedia. Butt’s performance in the 2018 SAFF Championship earned him the “Safe Hand” award, acknowledging his exceptional goalkeeping skills during the tournament. His Instagram page a handsome number of followers. Furthermore, he made his debut for Pakistan in November 2012.
4. Hassan Bashir:
29 Games and 9 Goals
Full Name: Hassan Naweed Bashir
Date of Birth: 7 Jan 1987 (37 Years Old)
Place of Birth: Denmark, Pakistani Citizenship
Height : 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Total Games for Pakistan: 29 Games and 9 Goals
Position: Midfield — Attacking Midfield
Record: 2nd second-highest scorer for Pakistan in international matches, and Most Followers on Facebook Page
Hassan Bashir, a Pakistani footballer with almost 180K Facebook followers, was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, on January 7, 1987 (37 years old). Nicknamed Hitman, at the start, Hassan played for VB 1968. He holds Pakistani citizenship and plays for the Pakistan national football team. Hassan is a forward player but has also played in other positions, showcasing goal-scoring ability, teamwork, and positioning on the field.
He is the second-highest scorer for Pakistan in international matches (Muhammad Essa holds the first position). According to Wikipedia, he has played 29 games for the Pakistani national team and scored 9 goals in those international matches.
- Full name: Hassan Naweed Bashir (Urdu: حسن نوید بشیر)
- Date of Birth: 7 Jan 1987 (37 Years Old).
- Place of Birth: Denmark, Pakistani Citizenship.
- Total Games for Pakistan: 29 Games and 9 goals
- Position: Midfield — Attacking Midfield
- Record: Most Followers on Facebook Page, and 2nd second-highest scorer for Pakistan in international matches
3. Sarfraz Rasool:
17 Games and 6 Goals
Full Name: Sarfraz Rasool
Date of Birth: 10 July 1975 (48 years)
Place of Birth: Faisalabad, Pakistan
Height: 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Total Games for Pakistan: 17 Games & 6 Goals
Position: Midfielder
Records: Won Golden Boot, Name Mentioned in Asian Football Confederation
Sarfraz Rasool is another Pakistani soccer champion who won the Golden Boot at the 2003 SAFF Championship by doing the top score with 4 goals and mentioned his name in the Asian Football Confederation.
Sarfraz was born on 10 July 1975, in Faisalabad, Pakistan. He entered the football world in 1994 and played as an international player from 1999 to 2003, primarily as an attacking midfielder. According to Wikipedia Sarfaraz Rasool had 17 appearances and 6 goals for Pakistan national team from 1999 to 2003.
2. Jaffar Khan: Top Pakistani Goalkeeper
Full Name: Jaffar Khan
Nick Name: Jeff
Date of Birth: 10 March 1981
Place of Birth: Dera Ismail Khan, KPK, Pakistan
Height: 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Total Games for Pakistan: 44 Matches
Position: Goalkeeper
Record: Most International Appearances for Pakistan as a Goalkeeper
Jaffar Khan, a former goalkeeper and another Pakistani football champion, holds the record for the highest number of appearances, with 44, for the Pakistan national team. Khan was born in Dera Ismail Khan, KPK, Pakistan, on 10 March 1981. He started playing football in 1998 through the Pakistan Army Football Club, and from the start he ever represented his country. With 44 caps, he holds the record for most appearances for the Pakistan national team between 2001 and 2014. “Caps” refers to the number of appearances a player. Currently, Khan serves as the head coach of the Pakistan Army
1. Muhammad Essa: Top Pakistani Footballers
49 Games and 17 Goals
Full Name: Muhammad Essa Khan
Date of Birth: 20 November 1983 (40 years old)
Place of Birth: Chaman, Balochistan, Pakistan
Height: 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Total Games for Pakistan: 49 Games and 17 Goals
Position: Centre Forward
Record: Most International Appearances for Pakistan and highest Goals
One of the best football players in Pakistan is Muhammad Essa Khan. With 49 appearances, he holds the record for most appearances in Pakistan’s International games. With a total of 17 goals, he has also scored more goals than all other players. Essa was born in Chaman, Balochistan, Pakistan on 20 November 1983 (40 years old). who played as a centre forward, entered in the football world in 1999 and at the beginning of their life he played for Pakistan. From 1999 to 2009, he represented Pakistan internationally and established himself as one of the best Pakistani football players. Now he is the current head coach of Khan Research Laboratories.
Best Asian Football Player:
Full Name: Son Heung-min
Date of Birth: Jul 8, 1992 (32 age)
Place of Birth: Chuncheon, Gangwon, South Korea
Height: 1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in)
Total Games for South Korea: 122 Games and 44 Goals
Position: Left Winger
Record: Best Asian Players, First Asian player to score 100 Premier League goals, Premier League Golden Boot,
Son Heung-min is another football champion, with 122 appearances and 44 goals for South Korea. He’s the top Asian player, born in Chuncheon, Gangwon, South Korea, on July 8, 1992 (32 years old). Son entered the football world in 2008 at the age of 16. Gradually, he created amazing records, winning the respect of his followers who loved him for motivating them and showing the achievement of Asian football players.
Big 3 Records of Son:
Son Heung-min is a football legend, especially for Asian players. Here are some of his most impressive records:
- First Asian player to score 100 Premier League goals: Son is the top Asian goal scorer in the Premier League and Champions League. He made Premier League history in April 2023 when he became the first Asian player to score 100 goals. This achievement shows his place among the all-time greats of the Premier League.
- Premier League Golden Boot (2021–22): In the 2021–22 season, Son and Mohamed Salah both scored 23 goals in the Premier League. So, they both got the Golden Boot prize. It was a big deal because Son became the first Asian player to win this award.
- Most goals scored by a Korean player in European competition: Son broke the record set by Korean legend Cha Bum-Kun for the most goals scored by a Korean player in European competitions.
Conclusion:
This article introduced you to 11 amazing Pakistani footballers and one top Asian player! They’re all Athletes who played many games and scored lots of goals for Pakistan’s national team. We learned a bit about each player like the impressive number of games Jaffar Khan appeared most of the time as a goalkeeper and Muhammad Essa scored the highest score in the Pakistan internal team.
These all football players are heroes in Pakistan, showing younger people that anything is possible with hard work. If you’re a fan of Pakistani football, this is a great starting point to learn more about these players. There’s lots of information online you can check out to see their stories and discover more about the exciting world of Pakistani football!
