Scoring consistently in football is one of the most difficult achievements for any player. While some may go weeks without a goal, a rare few enter the record books by scoring in consecutive matches for an extended period. These goal scoring streaks are etched in the history of football, showcasing elite consistency, composure, and finishing ability.
From Premier League legends to global icons, the following players produced the longest and most unforgettable goal scoring streaks in league football history. Let’s take a look at the top 10.
10. Jamie Vardy – 11 Consecutive Matches
- Club: Leicester City
- League: Premier League
- Season: 2015
- Goals Scored: 13
Jamie Vardy wrote his name into the Premier League history books by scoring in 11 consecutive matches during Leicester City’s stunning title-winning campaign in 2015–16. Starting with a penalty against Bournemouth, Vardy went on to score against big names like Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United—breaking Ruud van Nistelrooy’s previous record of 10. His goal scoring streak played a major role in Leicester’s fairy tale season.
9. Gabriel Batistuta – 11 Consecutive Matches
- Club: Fiorentina
- League: Serie A
- Season: 1994–95
- Goals Scored: 13
Gabriel Batistuta’s powerful run began right from the opening day of the 1994/95 Serie A season. He scored in the first 11 league matches, showcasing his clinical finishing and physical presence. Batistuta ended the season as the league’s top scorer with 26 goals. His goal scoring streak remains a Serie A record to this day.
8. Robert Lewandowski – 12 Consecutive Matches
- Club: Borussia Dortmund
- League: Bundesliga
- Season: 2012–13
- Goals Scored: 14
Before becoming a Bayern Munich legend, Robert Lewandowski had a remarkable scoring run at Borussia Dortmund. In the 2012–13 Bundesliga campaign, he scored in 12 straight games, despite a two-match suspension breaking up the calendar. Upon his return, he continued scoring—proving why he’s one of the most consistent scorers in modern football.
7. Jimmy Dunne – 12 Consecutive Matches
- Club: Sheffield United
- League: English First Division
- Season: 1931–32
Irish forward Jimmy Dunne was a prolific striker for Sheffield United. In the 1931–32 season, he went on a 12-game scoring spree that made him one of the top players of his era. Dunne averaged nearly a goal per game and later moved to Arsenal, but his streak with the Blades is what secured his legacy.
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6. Serge Masnaghetti – 13 Consecutive Matches
- Club: Valenciennes
- League: French Division 1 (Ligue 1)
- Season: 1962–63
- Goals Scored (Season): 35
Serge Masnaghetti holds the French top-flight record for consecutive matches scored in. Despite his club finishing ninth, Masnaghetti was on fire, scoring in 13 straight games and ending the season with an astonishing 35 goals. His goal scoring streak remains unbeaten in Ligue 1 history.
5. Stan Mortensen – 15 Consecutive Matches
- Club: Blackpool
- League: English First Division
- Season: 1950–51
Stan Mortensen scored in 15 consecutive First Division matches for Blackpool. Although he missed two games due to injury, his scoring streak counted for every match he played. He also holds the distinction of being the first Englishman to score at a World Cup (1950). Mortensen’s legacy lives on through his club and country records.
4. Tor Henning Hamre – 15 Consecutive Matches
- Club: Flora Tallinn
- League: Estonian Meistriliiga
- Season: 2003
- Goals Scored: 21
One of the most surprising names on the list, Norwegian striker Tor Henning Hamre played in Estonia’s Meistriliiga. In 2003, he scored in 15 consecutive league games and netted 21 goals during that run. He even scored seven in one match—a 17-0 win! His goal scoring streak may not have come in Europe’s top five leagues, but it remains iconic.
3. Josef Martinez – 15 Consecutive Matches
- Club: Atlanta United
- League: Major League Soccer (MLS)
- Season: 2019
In the 2019 MLS season, Josef Martinez of Atlanta United went on a remarkable run by scoring in 15 straight matches. The Venezuelan striker was unstoppable and became one of the league’s most feared forwards. His goal scoring streak brought global recognition to MLS and proved that top-level consistency can be found across the globe.
2. Teodor Peterek – 16 Consecutive Matches
- Club: Ruch Chorzów
- League: Polish Ekstraklasa
- Season: 1937–38
Long before Lewandowski, Poland had Teodor Peterek. In the 1937–38 season, Peterek scored in 16 consecutive matches for Ruch Chorzów. His streak is the longest in Polish football history and stood unmatched in Europe for decades. A true pioneer of goal scoring consistency.
1. Lionel Messi – 21 Consecutive Matches
- Club: FC Barcelona
- League: La Liga
- Season: 2012–13
- Goals Scored in Streak: 33
At the top of the list is Lionel Messi, the king of goal scoring streaks. During the 2012–13 La Liga season, Messi scored in 21 consecutive league matches, netting 33 goals. His run began with a brace against Mallorca and included multiple multi-goal games, including four goals vs Osasuna. Even though he missed a few matches with injury, Messi scored in every match he played during the streak.
This legendary record still stands today and remains one of the most remarkable feats in football history. A goal scoring streak of this magnitude may never be seen again.
These top 10 goal scoring streaks showcase the brilliance, determination, and consistency required to dominate across weeks and months in professional football. Whether in La Liga, the Premier League, or leagues less covered globally, these players delivered time and time again.
With records like Messi’s and Peterek’s still intact, future stars will have a high bar to reach in their quest to break the greatest goal scoring streaks in football.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Q1: What is the longest goal scoring streak in football history?
A: The longest goal scoring streak in top-flight football history belongs to Lionel Messi, who scored in 21 consecutive La Liga matches for FC Barcelona during the 2012–13 season, netting 33 goals in that span.
Q2: Who holds the Premier League record for most consecutive matches scored in?
A: Jamie Vardy holds the Premier League record with 11 consecutive matches scored in during Leicester City’s 2015–16 title-winning season.
Q3: Has any player scored in more than 15 consecutive matches in Europe’s top five leagues?
A: Yes, Lionel Messi scored in 21 consecutive La Liga games in 2012–13. Gerd Muller (Bundesliga) and Gabriel Batistuta (Serie A) also had notable streaks, though shorter than Messi’s.
Q4: Are goal scoring streaks counted if a player misses a match?
A: Generally, streaks count only for the matches a player plays in. If a player misses a game due to injury or suspension but resumes scoring upon return, the streak continues in terms of consecutive appearances.
Q5: What are some underrated goal scoring streaks outside major European leagues?
A: Teodor Peterek (Poland, 16 games), Tor Henning Hamre (Estonia, 15 games), and Josef Martinez (USA, 15 games) had remarkable streaks in less globally followed leagues.