most goals in football

9 Sep 2024 Portugal superstar and current national team captain Cristiano Ronaldo has scored the most goals in football history. Ronaldo is at the top of the list with 901 goals for club and country combined. Cristiano Ronaldo has the most international appearances (214) and scored the most goals in men's international football (132).

Football is an age-old sport and has seen many prolific goal scorers in its rich history. Below is the list of players with the most goals in football history.

Most Goals in Football: All-Time Leading Goal Scorers

RankPlayerTotal Goals Scored NationalityYears
1Cristiano Ronaldo901Portugal2002 - Present
2Lionel Messi838Argentina2004 - Present
3Pele762Brazil1957 - 1977
4Romario755Brazil1985 - 2007
5Ferenc Puskas724Hungary1943 - 1966
6Josef Bican722Austria/Czechoslovakia1931 - 1955
7Jimmy Jones648Northern Ireland1947 - 1964
8Robert Lewandoswki635Poland2008 - Present
9Gerd Muller634Germany1964 - 1981
10Joe Bambrick629Northern Ireland1926 - 1943
11Abe Lenstra624Netherlands1936 - 1963
12Eusebio619Portugal1957 - 1978
13Luis Suarez578Uruguay2005 - Present
14Glenn Ferguson563Northern Ireland1987 - 2011
15Zlatan Ibrahimovic561Sweden1987 - 2023

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Cristiano Ronaldo (901 Goals: 132 Country, 769 Club)

Cristiano Ronaldo reached the 900-goal landmark in football. He will be playing for Al Nassr in the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League. Cristiano Ronaldo scored 450 goals for Real Madrid, 145 goals for Manchester United, 101 for Juventus, 68 for Al Nassr and 5 for Sporting CP. Ronaldo has 132 goals for Portugal.

Lionel Messi (838 goals: 109 Country, 729 Club)

Argentina’s Lionel Messi sits second on the list and will likely challenge Cristiano Ronaldo for the top position of the most scored goals. Messi is regarded as the most technically perfect player to grace the sport. Lionel Messi has scored a massive 729 goals at the club level and has managed 109 goals for Argentina. 

Pele (762 goals: 77 Country, 685 Club) 

Arguably one of the greatest football players, Pele was one of the first superstars of the football world with his displays in Brazil’s iconic yellow jersey. His heroics have taken Brazil to World Cup glory thrice (1958, 1962, 1970). As per official records, Pele scored 762 official goals in his career.

Also read: Messi vs Ronaldo - Know Who is better?

Most Goals in International Football: Top 10 List

RankPlayerTotal Goals Scored NationalityYears
1Cristiano Ronaldo132Portugal2003 - Present
2Lionel Messi109Argentina2005 - Present
3Ali Daei108Iran1993 - 2006
4Sunil Chhetri94India2005 - 2024
5Mokhtar Dahari89Malaysia1972 - 1985
6Ali Mabkhout85UAE2009 - Present
7Romelu Lukaku85Belgium2010 - Present
8Ferenc Puskas84Hungary1945 - 1956
9Robert Lewandoswki84Poland2008 - Present
10Neymar Jr.79Brazil2010 - Present

Cristiano Ronaldo (132 goals | 214 appearances)

Cristiano Ronaldo is the first player to record 200 international appearances in men’s football. With 132 goals, the Portuguese star is now the undisputed goalscoring king in international football. Ronaldo has scored 8 goals in the FIFA World Cup finals, 14 at the UEFA Euro finals, and 10 hat-tricks for Portugal. Ronaldo appeared in his 6th European Championships in 2024.

Lionel Messi (109 goals | 187 appearances)

Arguably one of the best players in world football, Lionel Messi has scored 109 goals for the ‘La Albiceleste’ on the international stage. He becomes the second-highest goal scorer in international football. The 2021 Copa America, 2022 Finalissima and 2022 Football World Cup win are his trophy success with the national team. The former Barcelona and PSG superstar have scored 8 hat-tricks for Argentina. Messi played in 2024 Copa America.

Ali Daei (108 goals | 148 appearances)

Iran’s football legend Ali Daei scored 109 goals on the international stage between 1993 and 2006, a record that withstood for 15 years. He played club football for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Hertha BSC and scored 8 hat-tricks for Iran.

Sunil Chhetri (94 goals | 151 appearances)

Chhetri is the captain and the flag bearer of Indian football for over a decade. With 94 goals in 151 appearances, he is the 4th highest goal scorer in international football, behind only Ronaldo, Messi and Ali Daei. Chhetri retired from international football after the AFC 2nd Round Qualifiers for the 2024 Football World Cup.

Also read: Best Football Player in World 2024

Highest Goal Scorers in Football in Year 2024

RankPlayerGoals Scored NationalityClub
1Viktor Gyokeres 32SwedenSporting CP
2Erling Haaland 26NorwayManchester City
3Kylian Mbappe26FranceReal Madrid
4Luuk de Jong22NetherlandsPSV Eindhoven
5Jonathan David22CanadaLille

FAQs

Who has the highest goals in international football?

Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the most goals scored in men's international football (132).

How many goals has Messi scored in international football?

Lionel Messi has scored 109 goals in men's international football. Messi made his international debut for Argentina on 17 August 2005. 

Has any footballer scored 1000 goals?

According to unofficial records, Legendary Brazilian football player great Pelé has scored 1000 goals in in his career.

Who has scored most goals in history?

With 901 goals, Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the most goals scored in history.

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