1. Overview
Younis Mahmoud Khalaf, born on February 3, 1983, is an iconic Iraqi former professional footballer who primarily played as a forward. Widely regarded as one of Iraq's greatest players, Mahmoud captained the Iraq national football team for ten consecutive years, becoming a symbol of Asian football. His career is most notably defined by his pivotal role in leading Iraq to their historic victory in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, where he also earned the top scorer and Most Valuable Player awards. He is also the only Iraqi player ever to be nominated for the prestigious Ballon d'Or. After his retirement from playing, Mahmoud continued his involvement in football, currently serving as the second vice-president of the Iraq Football Association.
2. Early Life and Career Beginnings
Younis Mahmoud's journey into professional football began in his hometown, initially through a different sport, before he transitioned to the pitch where he would achieve legendary status.
2.1. Birthplace and Early Years
Younis Mahmoud Khalaf was born on February 3, 1983, in Dibis, a town located within the Kirkuk Governorate in Iraq. Growing up, he displayed athletic talent that initially led him down a different sporting path. He stands at 6.1 ft (1.85 m) and weighed 159 lb (72 kg) during his playing career.
2.2. Basketball Career
Before making his mark in football, Mahmoud began his athletic career as a basketball player. He played as a shooting guard for the Kahrabaa Al-Dibis basketball team, showcasing his versatility and natural sporting ability.
2.3. Transition to Football
Mahmoud's switch from basketball to football was influenced by Muwafaq Nouraddin, the football coach of the Kahrabaa Al-Dibis team. Nouraddin persuaded Mahmoud to transition to football, citing the greater financial opportunities available in the sport in Iraq at the time. Following this advice, Mahmoud joined Shaabiya Al-Dibis and subsequently began playing for the Kahrabaa Al-Dibis football team in the fourth division of Iraqi football, quickly establishing himself as a regular player.
3. Club Career
Younis Mahmoud's club career spanned over a decade, taking him through various teams in Iraq and across the Middle East, where he consistently demonstrated his prolific goal-scoring ability and leadership.
3.1. Early Career in Iraq
Mahmoud's initial years in professional football were spent developing his skills within the Iraqi league system, where he quickly rose through the ranks.
3.1.1. Kirkuk FC
In 1999, Younis Mahmoud joined Kirkuk FC, the largest team in his hometown of Kirkuk. He scored his first league goal for the club in the 1999-2000 Iraqi Premier League (then known as the Iraqi First Division League), contributing to a 3-0 victory over Al-Kadhimiya SC. During this season, he also scored a penalty in a 6-1 loss against Al-Diwaniya FC and netted two goals in a 2-2 draw with Al-Ramadi FC. His fifth goal came in a 1-1 draw with Al-Naft SC, though the result was later changed to a 3-0 defeat due to an ineligible player. He scored again in a 1-0 win over Al-Karkh SC.
Kirkuk FC did not qualify for the 2000-01 Iraqi Premier League (then the Iraqi Elite League) and consequently played in the second-tier division. However, they secured promotion back to the top flight in their first attempt by winning the league, with Mahmoud emerging as the second-highest scorer of the second-tier with 19 goals. His performances at Kirkuk attracted the attention of scouts from major Baghdad-based clubs, Al-Shorta SC and Al-Talaba SC. Although he went on trial with Al-Shorta, he was ultimately turned down by their manager, Ahmed Radhi, leading him to transfer to Al-Talaba.
3.1.2. Al-Talaba SC
Mahmoud's debut for Al-Talaba SC was the opening game of the 2001-02 Iraqi Elite League against his former club, Kirkuk, where he impressively scored a hat-trick in an 8-0 victory. He secured his first trophy with Al-Talaba when they defeated Al-Zawra'a SC 2-1 in the 2001 Baghdad Day Cup, with Mahmoud scoring the team's second goal. Al-Talaba clinched their fifth league title with 91 points, and Mahmoud contributed 13 goals that season. The club also won the 2001-02 Iraq FA Cup, completing a domestic double; Mahmoud scored 6 goals in the competition and assisted the winning goal in the final. Additionally, Al-Talaba reached the final of the Umm al-Ma'arik Championship but lost 1-0 to Al-Shorta, with Mahmoud scoring 4 goals in that tournament.
In the 2002-03 season, Al-Talaba began by winning the 2002 Perseverance Cup (now known as Iraqi Super Cup) 2-1 against Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya. Mahmoud scored 13 goals in the Iraqi First Division League (renamed from Iraqi Elite League for that season) before it was cancelled due to the Iraq War. Al-Talaba won the Iraq FA Cup again and once more lost the Umm al-Ma'arik Championship final to Al-Shorta. They also participated in the 2002-03 AFC Champions League, where Mahmoud scored 2 goals against Turkmen club Nisa Aşgabat before the team was knocked out in the group stage.
During his time at Al-Talaba, Mahmoud also represented the Iraq Police team in the 2002 Arab Police Championship, a competition for police teams in the Arab world. Comprising players from the Iraq national under-20 football team, the Iraq Police team won all four of their matches, conceding only one goal, and secured the championship by finishing 7 points ahead of the second-placed team. This marked Iraq's fifth victory in the Arab Police Championship.
3.2. Middle Eastern Leagues
Following the disruption of football in Iraq, Mahmoud embarked on an extensive career in the Middle Eastern leagues, particularly in Qatar, where he became a prominent figure.
3.2.1. Al-Wahda (UAE, loan)
With the onset of the Iraq War in 2003, football activities in Iraq were suspended. In October 2003, Mahmoud moved to Abu Dhabi to join Al-Wahda FC on loan. He scored in the 2004 AFC Champions League in a 3-0 victory against Iraqi club Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya. However, his tenure was brief as he became embroiled in a verbal argument with the club's manager, Rinus Israël, who subsequently refused to play him in any further matches.
3.2.2. Al-Khor (Qatar)
After the 2004 AFC Asian Cup, Mahmoud joined Qatar Stars League club Al-Khor Sports Club alongside his compatriots Haidar Jabar and Qusay Munir. In the 2004-05 Qatar Stars League, Al-Khor finished in third place, with Mahmoud scoring 19 goals, the third-highest in the league. He set three records in a single game during an 8-0 victory over Al-Shamal Sports Club: he scored 6 goals, becoming the only player to achieve two hat-tricks in a single league match; he scored the fastest goal in a league match, netting within 30 seconds of kickoff; and he was the only player that season to score three goals in each half against two different goalkeepers. He also assisted two other goals in the match. Al-Khor was eliminated from the 2005 Emir of Qatar Cup in the quarter-finals, losing on penalties to Al Sadd SC after a 2-2 draw where Mahmoud scored. However, Al-Khor won the Qatar Crown Prince Cup, with Mahmoud contributing 4 goals, including two in the 2-1 final victory.
In the 2005-06 Qatar Stars League, Al-Khor finished in a disappointing seventh position, but Mahmoud maintained his impressive form, scoring 20 league goals, the second-highest in the league. They were again knocked out at the quarter-final stage of the Emir of Qatar Cup, with Mahmoud scoring 2 goals in that competition.
3.2.3. Al-Gharafa (Qatar)
In 2006, Mahmoud transferred to Al-Gharafa Sports Club, where he would spend the next five years, marking the most significant period of his club career. In the 2006-07 Qatar Stars League, Al-Gharafa finished as runners-up, and Mahmoud's 19 goals earned him his first Golden Boot award. Al-Gharafa were also runners-up in the Qatar Crown Prince Cup, with Mahmoud scoring one goal in the semi-final. They were eliminated from the Emir of Qatar Cup in the semi-finals, where Mahmoud scored one goal in the quarter-final.
Mahmoud started the 2007-08 season by winning the 2007 Sheikh Jassim Cup, scoring two goals in extra-time during the final. He then won his first Qatar Stars League title in the 2007-08 Qatar Stars League season, contributing 16 league goals, the fourth-highest in the league. Al-Gharafa lost the final of the Qatar Crown Prince Cup, despite Mahmoud scoring twice in the semi-final. They also lost the final of the Emir of Qatar Cup, with Mahmoud scoring three goals in that competition, including one in the final. In the 2008 AFC Champions League, Al-Gharafa were knocked out at the group stage, where Mahmoud scored one goal.
3.2.4. Al-Arabi SC (Qatar, loan)
At the beginning of the 2008-09 season, Mahmoud joined Al-Arabi on a short-term loan due to Al-Gharafa exceeding their foreign player quota. During this spell, he won the Sheikh Jassim Cup and scored two league goals in the 2008-09 Qatar Stars League.
3.2.5. Return to Al-Gharafa
Mahmoud returned to Al-Gharafa midway through the 2008-09 season after the departure of Fernandão created an open foreign player slot. He scored one goal for them in the 2008-09 Qatar Stars League, helping Al-Gharafa secure another league championship. Although they lost the Qatar Crown Prince Cup semi-final to Qatar SC, they went on to win the 2009 Emir of Qatar Cup, with Mahmoud scoring three goals in the competition.
Mahmoud continued his success with Al-Gharafa, winning a third consecutive league title. He was the league's top scorer again with 21 goals, earning him another Golden Boot award. He scored four goals in the 2009 Sheikh Jassim Cup, where Al-Gharafa were eliminated in the semi-finals, and three goals in the 2009 Qatari Stars Cup (including two in the final), which Al-Gharafa won. In the 2010 Qatar Crown Prince Cup Final, Mahmoud scored two goals to lead Al-Gharafa to another cup victory. Al-Gharafa were knocked out of the 2010 Emir of Qatar Cup at the quarter-finals and the 2010 AFC Champions League (in which Mahmoud scored four goals) also at the quarter-finals.
The 2010-11 season began with Al-Gharafa being knocked out at the group stage of the 2010 Sheikh Jassim Cup, despite Mahmoud scoring a hat-trick in a 5-0 win over Al-Markhiya Sports Club. In the 2010-11 Qatar Stars League, Al-Gharafa finished in second place, and Mahmoud won the Golden Boot award for the third time with 15 league goals. Al-Gharafa were eliminated at the group stage of the 2010 Qatari Stars Cup, but they won the 2011 Qatar Crown Prince Cup and lost the final of the 2011 Emir of Qatar Cup (where Mahmoud scored one goal in the quarter-final). In the 2011 AFC Champions League, Al-Gharafa were knocked out at the group stage, with Mahmoud notably scoring a hat-trick against Al Jazira Club.
3.2.6. Al-Wakrah (Qatar)
In 2011, Mahmoud signed for Al-Wakrah Sports Club, a team that had finished seventh in the league the previous season. Al-Wakrah was eliminated from the 2011 Sheikh Jassim Cup at the group stage and finished seventh again in the 2011-12 Qatar Stars League, with Mahmoud scoring 8 goals in the league. Mahmoud earned his first honor with Al-Wakrah when they won the 2011 Qatari Stars Cup, where he scored one goal in the semi-final (and also missed a penalty). In the 2012 Emir of Qatar Cup, Al-Wakrah lost the quarter-final to Mahmoud's future club, Al-Sadd.
In the 2012 Sheikh Jassim Cup, Al-Wakrah was again knocked out at the group stage. Mahmoud scored 8 league goals for Al-Wakrah during the 2012-13 season's first half before moving clubs. They were also eliminated at the group stage of the 2012-13 Qatari Stars Cup.
3.2.7. Al-Sadd (Qatar)
On February 8, 2013, shortly after Al-Wakrah's exit from the Qatari Stars Cup, Mahmoud signed with Al-Sadd Sports Club for the remainder of the 2012-13 season, playing alongside global star Raúl González. He made his league debut on February 11, 2013, in Al-Sadd's 3-0 victory over Al-Sailiya SC. Mahmoud scored 2 league goals for Al-Sadd that season, helping the club win the league title, which marked his fourth Qatar Stars League championship. He equaled Nasser Kamile's record for goals in the Qatar Crown Prince Cup by scoring his 10th goal against Al Rayyan SC in the semi-final on April 26. Mahmoud also scored in the final of the 2013 Qatar Crown Prince Cup, but Al-Sadd lost the match 3-2 to Lekhwiya SC. Furthermore, he scored in the semi-final of the 2013 Emir of Qatar Cup, with Al-Sadd reaching the final only to lose 2-1 against Al-Rayyan.
3.2.8. Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia)
On September 16, 2013, Mahmoud signed a four-month contract with Saudi Professional League side Al-Ahli Saudi FC, marking his move to Saudi Arabia after a long tenure in Qatar. He made his league debut on September 23, 2013, scoring Al-Ahli's opening two goals in a 5-1 win over Al-Nahda. Just over a month later, he scored his third and final goal for the club in a 5-2 victory over Al-Shoulla FC. Mahmoud terminated his contract two weeks before its official end.
3.3. Later Career
The final stages of Mahmoud's club career saw him return to Iraq for brief stints before his ultimate retirement.
3.3.1. Erbil SC
In February 2015, following the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, Mahmoud returned to Iraq to play for Erbil SC. His agreement stipulated that he would only participate in AFC Cup games, as he did not wish to compete in the Iraqi Premier League against his former club, Al-Talaba SC. On April 15, he made his debut for Erbil against FC Ahal, scoring two goals (a header and a Panenka penalty), but his side was defeated 3-2. He was given the captain's armband for Erbil's subsequent AFC Cup match against FC Istiklol, which ended goalless, leading to Erbil's elimination from the tournament at the group stage.
3.3.2. Return to Al-Talaba
On September 12, 2015, Younis Mahmoud made a significant return to his former club, Al-Talaba SC, after a 12-year absence. He was appointed captain and wore the number 9 shirt. He scored three goals in the 2015-16 Iraqi Premier League against Al-Karkh SC, Al-Samawa FC, and Naft Al-Wasat SC, helping Al-Talaba achieve a third-place finish, their highest league position in six years. At the conclusion of this season, Mahmoud officially announced his retirement from professional football.
4. International Career
Younis Mahmoud's international career with the Iraq national football team is distinguished by his remarkable longevity, captaincy, and a series of landmark achievements that brought immense pride to his nation.
4.1. Youth and Olympic Teams
Mahmoud's international journey began with Iraq's youth teams. In March 2002, despite questions about his temperament and experience, coach Adnan Hamad included him in the Iraq squad for a training camp in Italy, where Mahmoud made his first start against Serie B club Cagliari Calcio and scored. His full international debut for the senior team came in a friendly against Syria in Baghdad on July 19, 2002.
In 2003, his achievements led to a nomination for the Asian Young Footballer of the Year award. He was a key part of Iraq's 2004 Olympic Games qualifying squad, scoring crucial goals against Oman and Kuwait that helped Iraq qualify. In the Olympic Games finals, Iraq finished in fourth place, with Mahmoud scoring one goal against Portugal.
Mahmoud also played for the Iraq Olympic team in the 2003 Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Friendship Cup, where he scored 6 goals, including a hat-trick against Al-Nassr FC and the winning goal in the final against Morocco, securing the cup for Iraq. In the 2005 West Asian Games, Mahmoud scored 3 goals, including one in the final, as Iraq won the gold medal. In 2006, Iraq's Olympic team reached the final of the Asian Games but lost to Qatar; Mahmoud scored 3 goals in the tournament.
4.2. Senior National Team
Mahmoud's career with the senior national team was marked by his prolific goal-scoring, unwavering leadership, and participation in numerous major tournaments.
4.2.1. Debut and Captaincy
Younis Mahmoud's first official international goal for the senior team was a dramatic equalizer in the 89th minute of the final of the 2002 West Asian Football Federation Championship, which Iraq went on to win in extra-time. In 2006, he took over the captaincy from Razzaq Farhan, a role he held for a remarkable ten consecutive years until his retirement in 2016. He retired as the most-capped player in Iraq's history with 148 appearances and their third-highest goalscorer with 57 goals.
4.2.2. Participation in Major Tournaments
Mahmoud was a consistent presence in Iraq's campaigns across various international competitions:
- WAFF Championship**: He scored 4 goals against Bahrain and a hat-trick against Malaysia in the 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification. In the 2004 AFC Asian Cup itself, he scored 1 goal against Saudi Arabia as Iraq reached the quarter-finals. In the 2007 West Asian Football Federation Championship, Iraq finished as runners-up, with Mahmoud scoring 1 goal.
- FIFA World Cup Qualifiers**: He scored 7 goals in qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, though Iraq ultimately failed to qualify from the final round. He also scored 4 goals in Iraq's group during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, including a free-kick against Chinese Taipei, which helped Iraq advance to the final round.
- Gulf Cups**: At the start of 2013, Iraq participated in the 21st Arabian Gulf Cup and finished as runners-up. Mahmoud scored 2 goals in the tournament, including Iraq's only goal in the 2-1 defeat to the United Arab Emirates after extra-time in the final.
- FIFA Confederations Cup**: He played in all three of Iraq's matches in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.
- Asian Games**: As one of Iraq's overaged players in the 2014 Asian Games, he scored 4 goals, leading Iraq to a bronze medal, including the winning header against Thailand in the third-place match.
- AFC Asian Cup**: He scored in his third consecutive Asian Cup tournament with a goal against Iran in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. He led Iraq to qualify for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup by scoring 4 goals in the qualifying rounds, including 2 goals in the decisive match against China. In the 2015 Asian Cup, Iraq finished in fourth place, with Mahmoud scoring 2 goals (against Palestine and Iran). This achievement made him the only player in history to score in four different and consecutive AFC Asian Cup tournaments (2004, 2007, 2011, 2015). On March 28, 2015, in a friendly match against DR Congo, Mahmoud became Iraq's most-capped player of all-time.
4.2.3. 2007 AFC Asian Cup Victory
The year 2007 marked the pinnacle of Younis Mahmoud's career. He played a pivotal role in Iraq's historic triumph at the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, a victory that resonated deeply with national pride. Mahmoud scored 4 goals in the tournament, including the decisive winning goal in the final against Saudi Arabia. His exceptional performance earned him both the top scorer award (shared with Naohiro Takahara and Yasser Al-Qahtani) and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award of the tournament. This achievement was Iraq's first and only Asian Cup title, solidifying Mahmoud's status as a national hero.
5. Playing Style and Characteristics
Younis Mahmoud was renowned for his distinctive attributes as a forward, characterized by his clinical finishing and audacious penalty technique.
5.1. Goal-scoring Prowess
Mahmoud was a highly effective striker, known for his prolific goal-scoring record and his decisive impact on match outcomes through his offensive capabilities. His ability to find the back of the net consistently made him a formidable presence in any team he played for. He was a three-time top scorer in the Qatar Stars League.
5.2. Panenka Penalty Kick
A notable characteristic of Mahmoud's playing style was his signature technique of executing the Panenka penalty. He frequently employed this audacious chip shot from the penalty spot in both club and international matches, successfully converting it on seven occasions throughout his career.
| Date | Team | Opponent | Competition | Period of game | Outcome of penalty | Match result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 15, 2011 | Al-Wakrah | Qatar SC | 2011-12 Qatar Stars League | Normal time | Scored | 5-1 Win |
| December 1, 2011 | Al-Wakrah | Al-Ahli | 2011-12 Qatar Stars League | Normal time | Missed | 2-2 Draw |
| June 12, 2012 | Iraq | Oman | 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Normal time | Scored | 1-1 Draw |
| January 15, 2013 | Iraq | Bahrain | 21st Arabian Gulf Cup | Penalty shootout | Scored | 1-1 Draw (4-2 Win on penalties) |
| January 4, 2015 | Iraq | Iran | Friendly match | Normal time | Missed | 0-1 Loss |
| January 23, 2015 | Iraq | Iran | 2015 AFC Asian Cup | Penalty shootout | Scored | 3-3 Draw (7-6 Win on penalties) |
| April 15, 2015 | Erbil | Ahal | 2015 AFC Cup | Normal time | Scored | 2-3 Loss |
5.3. Nicknames and Symbolism
Younis Mahmoud earned the nickname "The Asian Butcher" (Penyembelih AsiaThe Asian ButcherMalay) due to his formidable presence and goal-scoring ability. He is widely regarded as an icon of Asian football, symbolizing resilience and national pride for Iraq, particularly after leading his country to the 2007 AFC Asian Cup title.
6. Major Awards and Achievements
Younis Mahmoud's career was decorated with numerous team trophies and individual accolades, reflecting his consistent excellence at both club and international levels.
6.1. Club Honours
- Kirkuk
- Iraq Division One: 2000-01
- Al-Talaba
- Iraqi Premier League: 2001-02
- Iraq FA Cup: 2001-02, 2002-03
- Iraqi Super Cup: 2002
- Baghdad Day Cup: 2001
- Al-Shorta (as Iraq Police team)
- Arab Police Championship: 2002
- Al-Khor
- Qatar Crown Prince Cup: 2005
- Al-Gharafa
- Qatar Stars League: 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10
- Emir of Qatar Cup: 2009
- Qatar Crown Prince Cup: 2010, 2011
- Sheikh Jassim Cup: 2007
- Qatari Stars Cup: 2009
- Al-Arabi
- Sheikh Jassim Cup: 2008
- Al-Wakrah
- Qatari Stars Cup: 2011-12
- Al-Sadd
- Qatar Stars League: 2012-13
6.2. International Honours
- Iraq Olympic
- Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Friendship Cup: 2003
- Iraq
- WAFF Championship: 2002
- West Asian Games: 2005 (Gold Medal)
- AFC Asian Cup: 2007
- UAE International Cup: 2009
- Asian Games: 2006 (Silver Medal), 2014 (Bronze Medal)
6.3. Individual Awards
6.3.1. Top Scorer and MVP
Younis Mahmoud received numerous individual recognitions for his exceptional performances:
- Kirkuk Governorate's Player of the Season: 1997-98
- Top scorer of the Iraqi Elite Cup: 2001
- Top scorer of the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Friendship Cup: 2003
- UAFA's Top 5 Arab Players of the Season: 2003-04
- Top scorer of the Emir of Qatar Cup: 2004, 2005, 2006
- Top scorer of the West Asian Games: 2005
- Qatar Stars League top scorer: 2006-07, 2009-10, 2010-11
- AFC Asian Cup most valuable player: 2007
- AFC Asian Cup joint top scorer: 2007
- IFA's Iraqi Player of the Year: 2007
- Al-Hadath's Arab player of the Year: 2007
- Al-Ahram's Arab player of the Year: 2007
- Zaman's Player of the Year: 2007
- Al-Watan's Arab Player of the Year: 2007
- La Gazzetta dello Sport's Giacinto Facchetti Award: 2007
- Asian Footballer of the Year nominee (2nd place): 2007
- Qatar Stars League's Player of the Season: 2007-08
- Soccer Iraq Team of the Decade: 2010-2019
6.3.2. Ballon d'Or Nomination
Younis Mahmoud holds the unique distinction of being the only Iraqi player in history to be shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or. In 2007, he finished in 29th place in the voting. Notably, he was the only outfield player on the list who did not play for a European club and the only Asian player to receive points. That year, Kaká won the award, while Mahmoud garnered two points, placing him ahead of 21 globally renowned players, including football legends such as Samuel Eto'o, David Beckham, and Robin van Persie.
7. Post-Retirement and Legacy
After concluding his illustrious playing career, Younis Mahmoud has continued to contribute to football in Iraq, solidifying his lasting legacy as a national hero.
7.1. Current Roles
Following his retirement from professional football, Younis Mahmoud has taken on administrative roles within the sport. He currently serves as the second vice-president of the Iraq Football Association. He also holds the position of President of the Iraqi Former Players Association.
7.2. Impact on Iraqi Football
Younis Mahmoud's impact on Iraqi football is profound and enduring. He is widely considered a national hero, particularly for leading the Iraq national team to their historic 2007 AFC Asian Cup victory. His leadership, dedication, and achievements have inspired subsequent generations of Iraqi footballers and significantly contributed to the development and recognition of the sport in the country. His status as the most-capped player and third-highest goalscorer in Iraq's history further cements his legendary standing.
8. Personal Life
Beyond the football pitch, Younis Mahmoud's personal life includes his family, background, and charitable endeavors.
8.1. Family and Background
Younis Mahmoud has been married three times. His younger brother, Omar Mahmoud, is also a professional footballer, following in his elder brother's footsteps.
8.2. Religion and Ethnicity
Younis Mahmoud is a Sunni Muslim. He is of Iraqi Turkmen ethnic origin.
He has also been involved in significant charitable activities. After becoming the top scorer in the Qatar Stars League for the 2006-07 season, he received a reward of 100.00 K USD from the Qatar Football Association, which he donated entirely to build a mosque in his hometown of Kirkuk. Additionally, upon receiving the La Gazzetta dello Sport's Giacinto Facchetti Award, he won a cheque for €10.00 K EUR, which he also donated to an Iraqi charity.
9. Controversy
During his playing career, Younis Mahmoud was involved in at least one notable contentious incident.
9.1. Conflict with Coaching Staff
In March 2004, Younis Mahmoud had a public disagreement with the Iraqi coaching staff, then led by German manager Bernd Stange. The conflict arose during a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Palestine, which ended in a draw. Mahmoud expressed anger after being left on the bench until the 74th minute of the game. This altercation reportedly contributed to Stange's departure from his position after the match.