Muhammad Umer

Muhammad Umer Baloch TI FIFAOM ( ; 1935¹ – 21 March 2004), popularly known as Captain Umer, was a Pakistani professional footballer who played as a striker. Renowned for his goal-scoring abilities, prolific finishing, and hat-tricks, he is widely considered as one of the greatest Pakistani footballers of all time. Since 1965, Umer is the all-time top goalscorer of the Pakistan national team with 18 goals. Starting his sport career in clubs in Karachi, Umer later represented Kolkata Mohammedan in the late 1950s. In his first year, he became the Calcutta League's top scorer, while also guiding Mohammedan to the title, also captaining the side to win the 1960 Aga Khan Gold Cup. He continued his professional career in various clubs in East Pakistan, winning various titles across his spells. Despite the fact that most of his goals are unregistered, Umer has reportedly scored around 1,000 goals in domestic football. Umer represented the Pakistan national football team from 1956 to 1965, and was the country's 13th international captain. He also represented Pakistan at the 1958 Tokyo Asian Games. Under his captaincy, he helped the side finish runner-ups at the 1962 Merdeka Tournament. In recognition of his contributions to the sport of football, Umer was honored with the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in 1989.…

Muhammad Umer Baloch TI FIFAOM ( ; 1935 – 21 March 2004), popularly known as Captain Umer, was a Pakistani professional footballer who played as a striker. Renowned for his goal-scoring abilities, prolific finishing, and hat-tricks, he is widely considered as one of the greatest Pakistani footballers of all time. Since 1965, Umer is the all-time top goalscorer of the Pakistan national team with 18 goals. Starting his sport career in clubs in Karachi, Umer later represented Kolkata Mohammedan in the late 1950s. In his first year, he became the Calcutta League's top scorer, while also guiding Mohammedan to the title, also captaining the side to win the 1960 Aga Khan Gold Cup. He continued his professional career in various clubs in East Pakistan, winning various titles across his spells. Despite the fact that most of his goals are unregistered, Umer has reportedly scored around 1,000 goals in domestic football. Umer represented the Pakistan national football team from 1956 to 1965, and was the country's 13th international captain. He also represented Pakistan at the 1958 Tokyo Asian Games. Under his captaincy, he helped the side finish runner-ups at the 1962 Merdeka Tournament. In recognition of his contributions to the sport of football, Umer was honored with the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in 1989. In 2004, a few months after his death he was awarded the FIFA Order of Merit, the highest honour awarded by FIFA. ==Early life== Umer was born in Gul Muhammad Lane, in the Lyari locality of Karachi in 1935. He belonged to the Makrani Baloch community (also known as Sheedi) of African descent. Initially rising through the ranks from school football, Umer began his career in 1948, aged 13, as a goalkeeper for Karachi-based Qadri Sports. However, his attacking ability soon saw him convert into a centre-forward, eventually earning the nickname "Black Horse". ==Club career== ==International career== ==Post-playing career== Following his retirement from playing, Umer continued his involvement in football as a coach. From 1971 to 1974, he served on Sindh's football selection committee while also coaching the Karachi Municipal Corporation from 1971 to 1985, and later the Karachi Water & Sewerage Board team. In recognition of his contributions to the sport, Umer was honored with the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in 1989. ==Personal life and death== Umer's sons Farooq Umer and Tariq Umer were also footballers. Umer, who spent most his final decades in abject poverty, died on 21 March 2004. He was buried at the Mewa Shah graveyard in Karachi. A few months later, FIFA reportedly decided to award Umer with the FIFA Order of Merit in recognition of his contributions to football. The award was to be presented to his family by Pakistan Football Federation president Faisal Saleh Hayat. ==Career statistics== ===Club=== ===International goals=== Scores and results list Pakistan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Umer goal. ==Honours== Pakistan Merdeka Tournament Runners-up (1): 1962 Karachi Kickers Sait Nagjee Football Tournament: Winners (1): 1955 Kolkata Mohammedan Calcutta League: Winners (1): 1957 Runners-up (1): 1960 IFA Shield: Winners (1): 1957 Aga Khan Gold Cup: Winners (1): 1960 Durand Cup: Runners-up (1): 1959 Rovers Cup: Winners (2): 1956, 1959 Runners-up: 1957, 1958 DCM Trophy: Winners (1): 1958 Runners-up (1): 1960 Victoria SC Dhaka First Division League: Winners (2): 1962, 1964 Runners-up (1): 1961 Aga Khan Gold Cup: Winners (1): 1962 Independence Day Football Tournament: Winners (2): 1962, 1964 Runners-up (1): 1965 Dhaka Wanderers Independence Day Tournament: Winners (1): 1963 Aga Khan Gold Cup: runners-up: 1963 Dacca Division National Football Championship: Winners (2): 1961–62, 1962 Individual 1957 − Calcutta Football League top goal-scorer 1964 − Dhaka First Division League top goal-scorer: 32 (with Victoria SC) 1989 − Tamgha-e-Imtiaz 2004 − FIFA Order of Merit ==References==

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