The debate over football’s greatest ever player continues to intensify, especially as two icons, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, continue to score regularly even into their late 30s and 40s. While their brilliance spans decades, they are also the most prolific names on the list of highest goalscorers of all time.
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player ever to reach 900 career goals in 2024, and he continues to lead the chart among the highest goalscorers in football history. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi, now playing for Inter Miami, remains close behind and still adds to his total across international fixtures and MLS appearances. Both legends have surpassed Austria-Czech legend Josef Bican in this elite club of goalscoring giants.
10. Uwe Seeler – 575+ Goals (1953–1978)
The German forward was a consistent scorer for Hamburger SV throughout his career. Uwe Seeler became a club legend and later served as its president. He also made a one-off appearance for Cork Celtic in Ireland, scoring twice. Seeler played in four FIFA World Cups and famously captained West Germany during their 1966 final loss to England. His goals, though not all officially documented in terms of appearances, place him among the highest goalscorers in history.
9. Ferenc Deak – 576+ Goals (1940–1957)
Ferenc Deak, one of Hungary’s forgotten greats, averaged over three goals per game during his time at Szentlorinci AC. He scored 358 goals in just 186 matches for the club. While he never played outside Hungary, Deak’s prolific strike rate earned him a place among the all-time highest goalscorers, even though his fame didn’t reach global levels like Puskas or Ronaldo.
8. Robert Lewandowski – 672 Goals (2008–Present)
Polish striker Robert Lewandowski has quietly climbed the ladder of the highest goalscorers in football. With over 100 international goals and dominant spells at Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and now Barcelona, Lewandowski is the third-highest scorer in UEFA Champions League history. His consistency and finishing ability keep him among the top highest goalscorers, even at the age of 36.
7. Gerd Muller – 734 Goals (1962–1981)
Gerd Muller, also known as “Der Bomber,” scored an incredible 68 goals for West Germany, including the winner in the 1974 World Cup final. At Bayern Munich, he netted 365 Bundesliga goals and held the record for most goals in a season (40) for nearly five decades. Muller’s ratio of nearly one goal per game makes him one of the most efficient highest goalscorers of all time.
6. Ferenc Puskas – 746+ Goals (1943–1966)
Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas is synonymous with goalscoring excellence. He dazzled for Budapest Honved and later Real Madrid, scoring over 150 times for the Spanish giants. Puskas also made headlines with two goals in Hungary’s 6-3 win over England in 1953, dubbed the ‘Match of the Century’. FIFA now honors the best goal each year with the Puskas Award, recognizing his place among the highest goalscorers in football history.
5. Pele – 757 Goals (1957–1977)
Pele remains a football icon with three World Cup titles and nearly a goal per game across his career. Playing primarily for Santos, he scored 656 official goals and claims over 1,000 in total, though many came in friendlies. Still, 757 recognized goals for Brazil and club place him firmly in the top tier of the highest goalscorers list. Pele passed away in 2022, but his legendary status lives on.
4. Romario – 772 Goals (1985–2007)
Romario spearheaded Brazil’s 1994 World Cup win, scoring five times in the tournament. He had successful spells at PSV, Barcelona, and Flamengo, among others, netting goals wherever he went. With 772 official goals across nearly 1,000 appearances, Romario is one of the highest goalscorers football has ever seen. His flair, instinct, and finishing made him one of the most watchable strikers of his generation.
3. Josef Bican – 805+ Goals (1931–1956)
For over 60 years, Josef Bican held the title of football’s all-time leading goalscorer. He scored 395 goals in just 217 appearances for Slavia Prague and totaled over 800 goals in his career. While there are claims of 1,500+ unofficial goals, only 805 are recognized by FIFA. Bican’s goals-per-game ratio is among the highest ever, firmly placing him in the all-time top 3 highest goalscorers.
2. Lionel Messi – 867 Goals (2003–Present)
Lionel Messi continues to rewrite history. After helping Argentina win the 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa America, he remains an active goalscoring threat for club and country. Messi has scored over 650 goals for Barcelona, added 32 more at PSG, and continues to shine for Inter Miami and Argentina. With 867 goals, Messi is chasing the 900-mark and remains second among the highest goalscorers ever recorded.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – 936 Goals (2001–Present)
Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list of the highest goalscorers in football history. The Portuguese star has scored at five World Cups, surpassed 200 international appearances, and reached 135 goals for Portugal. Ronaldo has enjoyed success with Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and now Al Nassr. In 2024, he scored his 900th goal and isn’t done yet, with sights set on hitting 1,000 before he retires.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Q1: Who is the highest goalscorer in football history?
A: Cristiano Ronaldo, with 936 official goals recognized by FIFA.
Q2: Has Lionel Messi retired?
A: No, Messi currently plays for Inter Miami and the Argentina national team.
Q3: Are Pele’s 1,000+ goals officially recognized?
A: Only 757 of Pele’s goals are officially recognized by FIFA.
Q4: Who was the leading scorer before Ronaldo and Messi?
A: Josef Bican, with 805+ goals from 1931 to 1956.
Q5: Who is the top international goalscorer?
A: Cristiano Ronaldo, with 135 international goals for Portugal.