Lili Iskandar Biography: Lebanon’s Leading Goal Scorer and International Star

Layla Pascal “Lili” Iskandar, born on 16 May 2002 in Zgharta, Lebanon, has risen to become the all‑time top scorer for the Lebanon women’s national team. With her sharp finishes, creative vision, and steady rise from local leagues to international platforms, she exemplifies the next generation of Middle Eastern football excellence.

Lili-Iskandar
Lili-Iskandar

Early Beginnings and Domestic Success

Lili kicked off her career in 2018 with Salam Zgharta, scoring 10 goals in her debut season. Her breakout momentum continued with a move to Stars Association for Sports (SAS) in 2019, where she scored 15 goals in the 2019–20 season, powering the team to the Lebanese Women’s Football League title .


Club Career Abroad: Denmark, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia

In 2021, she took a bold step forward with a contract at Danish champions HB Køge, marking her move into European football—even though she didn’t register game-time there .

She later moved to Etihad in Jordan, where her impact was immediate. She finished the 2023 Jordan Women’s Pro League as top scorer with 14 goals, helping her team lift the league title and the Jordanian-Saudi Women’s Clubs Championship 1.

In 2023, she joined Al‑Ittihad in Saudi Arabia—initially on loan and later permanently—continuing her scoring consistency with 4 goals in 13 appearances and 6 goals in 18 matches during the 2024–25 season .


International Career: Rising to the Top

Youth Achievements

Representing Lebanon’s youth teams, she scored 7 goals in 7 games at the 2019 WAFF U‑18 Girls Championship, earning the top scorer accolade and helping her nation secure the title .

Senior Team Stardom

Lili debuted for Lebanon’s senior team in 2018 and quickly became a fixture. She has collected around 31 caps and 15 goals by mid‑2025, establishing herself as Lebanon’s most prolific forward .

She starred at the 2022 WAFF Women’s Championship, helping Lebanon finish runners-up and earning tournament Best Player honors .

In the 2024 edition, Iskandar produced a stunning hat‑trick against Guam, including a freekick equalizer and the winner in stoppage time to complete a dramatic comeback. That hat‑trick marked her 12th international goal—and Lebanon’s 100th-ever goal at senior level .

Earlier, she sealed Lebanon’s first senior‑level trophy in the 2023 SAFF Women’s International Friendly Tournament, scoring the lone goal in extra time against Bhutan and becoming Lebanon’s then top scorer with 9 goals .


Playing Style and Strengths

Lili plays primarily as a forward or attacking midfielder, known for her intelligent positioning, accurate finishing, and ability to spark attacks. In her youth she began as an attacking midfielder, blending playmaking with scoring instinct .

Her attributes include:

  • Crisp shooting and freekick technique, as seen in clutch moments

  • Excellent off-the-ball runs, creating space and timing her entries to perfection

  • Versatility, adaptable to both wings and central roles

  • Clutch performance, often rising to the occasion in big matches


Accomplishments and Honors

  • Top scorer, 2019 WAFF U‑18 Girls Championship

  • WAFF Women’s Championship Best Player, 2022

  • Jordan Women’s Pro League top scorer, 2023

  • Achieved multiple club titles in Lebanon, Jordan, and international friendly competitions

  • Leading scorer for Lebanon’s senior national team (13 goals in 27 caps as of early 2025), ahead of next closest rival


Future Outlook

At just 23, Lili Iskandar is entering her prime. Her immediate goals likely include:

  • Adding more goals and caps to her international record

  • Continuing success at club level in Saudi Arabia and possibly moving to stronger regional leagues

  • Mentoring younger Lebanese talents while representing her country at major tournaments like AFC qualifiers

Given her trajectory, she’s on track to become one of Lebanon’s most iconic players ever.


Conclusion

Lili Iskandar is not just Lebanon’s top goal scorer—she’s its most dynamic attacking force. From local leagues to regional dominance, her journey speaks to ambition, creativity, and resilience. As she continues to score crucial goals and lift trophies, she stands as a beacon of inspiration for the future of Lebanese women’s football.