Younis Mahmoud

Younis Mahmoud, born on March 2, 1983, is a celebrated Iraqi former professional footballer who made his mark as a forward for the Iraq national team. His illustrious career not only saw him captaining the national team for a remarkable ten consecutive years but also established him as an iconic figure in Asian football. Currently, he serves as the second vice-president of the Iraq Football Association, continuing his legacy in the sport.

Mahmoud's journey in international football began with a memorable equaliser in the 89th minute of the 2002 WAFF Championship final, a goal that propelled Iraq to victory in extra time. His prowess on the field was further showcased in the 2005 West Asian Games, where he scored in the final, leading Iraq to another championship. In 2008, he was appointed captain of the national team, a role that would see him lead Iraq to its most significant achievement in 2007.

In 2007, Mahmoud achieved the pinnacle of his career by guiding Iraq to its first AFC Asian Cup title, scoring the decisive goal in the final. His outstanding performance earned him the Golden Boot and the Most Valuable Player awards at the tournament. Notably, he became the only Iraqi player to be nominated for the prestigious Ballon d'Or, finishing in twenty-ninth place in 2007.

Throughout his career, Mahmoud participated in all three of Iraq's matches at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and scored in the final of the Arabian Gulf Cup in 2013. He retired in 2016 as Iraq's most-capped player and their third-highest goalscorer. His remarkable achievement of scoring in four consecutive AFC Asian Cup tournaments—one goal in 2004, four in 2007, one in 2011, and two in 2015—cements his status as a football legend.