Mark Viduka scored a whopping 266 goals for club and country during an illustrious career that saw the Australian striker become an iconic figure in Leeds United’s history.
Of those 266 goals, Viduka netted 72 of those while wearing a Leeds badge. It includes four goals in a 4-3 win over Liverpool, goals against Besiktas and Anderlecht in Europe and even one away at Real Madrid.
Leeds have had many legendary strikers over the years. Tony Yeboah’s goals against Liverpool and Wimbledon made him as iconic as Viduka, while Jermaine Beckford netted 85 goals in 152 appearances.
Viduka was renowned for his strength, his ability to hold the ball up and his incredible finishing in front of goal. His ability to stay calm when in front of goal saw him score time after time as a Leeds United player.
But speaking in 2021, the Elland Road legend picked the favourite goal of his career and he says it was one in a Leeds shirt that he feels was the best goal of his career despite the amount of goals he scored.
Mark Viduka says Leeds goal in 2003 was the best of his career
Viduka boasts a glittering CV from his playing days that saw him turn out for massive clubs like Celtic, Newcastle and even Middlesbrough while in the Premier League. He scored 92 goals in England’s top tier.
Speaking to Sky Sports in 2021, Viduka picked a goal for Celtic in and Old Firm derby against Rangers as third best and a volley for Middlesbrough against Birmingham as second best, but one for Leeds as no.1.
Of course, Viduka’s best goal was the winner against Arsenal at Highbury to ensure Leeds remained in the Premier League. A win that saw Leeds become the last side to beat Arsenal before their Invincibles run.
“I would say the goal against Arsenal – in the last minute or the last few minutes. It was the inside of the left foot and into the top corner. Especially with all the circumstances around that match,” Viduka said.
“We knew that if we won the game, we were safe from relegation from the Premier League. That goal got us the points we needed – I would say that is number one. That was a big goal for sure,” he continued.
Viduka, or Erling Haaland? Thierry Henry’s comparison this year
Leeds legend, or Leeds-born? Manchester City’s Erling Haaland of course, is one of the best strikers in the world at the moment and already has 10 goals in seven games this season for Pep Guardiola’s champions.
But Alf Inge Haaland’s son was criticised last season for his inability to hold it up. Speaking on CBS Sports after a game against Real Madrid, Thierry Henry actually said Viduka could hold it up better than Haaland.
Jamie Carragher asked Henry: “Why do you think Erling Haaland for the size of him doesn’t like physical contact with the defender?” Henry responded: “I didn’t like it. It’s the same. I’m not small.
“But it’s not my thing. I wasn’t a Drogba, I wasn’t a Viduka or a Shearer. I don’t think he’s that type of guy who will go and play like that but you need the bare minimum, being able to control that ball.”
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