There are hundreds of players around the world who are still renowned for their goalscoring prowess. Although most of them have retired, some remain among the top scorers in football history. Football fanatic Lionel Messi has surpassed the 800-goal mark in his career. Cristiano Ronaldo, now playing for Saudi team Al-Nassr, recently scored another major goal.
A look at the top goalscorers in football history reveals some notable names. Let's find out who tops the list of all-time goalscorers (club football and international football).
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are considered the greatest footballers of all time. Their goal numbers are astonishing, especially in today's football world, where competition is even more intense. The Portuguese maestro has had successful stints with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, becoming the highest-scoring player in football history.
Cristiano Ronaldo has excelled not only in club football but also at the international level, scoring 143 goals for Portugal. He is the all-time leading scorer in men's international football. He has scored 965 goals in his career, and staying active will ensure he'll soon surpass 1,000.
2. Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Lionel Messi and his list of achievements are simply amazing. He won the Copa America with Argentina in 2024, adding another international title to his illustrious career. The Argentine legend has scored 896 goals in his career. He is one of the highest goalscorers and highest assists in football history. With a few more years left to play, Messi is expected to challenge Ronaldo.
3. Romario (Brazil)
Romário is Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer and a legend of the sport. He scored 780 goals in over 1,000 matches in his career. He led the Seleção to the World Cup victory in 1994. Romário also played for clubs such as FC Barcelona, PSV Eindhoven, and Flamengo.
4. Pele (Brazil)
Pele is considered one of the best footballers of all time, along with Diego Maradona of the previous generation. He scored 643 goals for the Brazilian club Santos, but it has been claimed that he scored over 1,200 goals for them, a figure that is disputed. Pelé also scored 77 goals for the Brazilian national team. Officially, Pelé is Brazil's second-highest goalscorer. He won the FIFA World Cup three times for his country.
5. Josef Bican (Czech Republic)
Josef Bican was long the leading goal scorer in football history. It is said that he scored 759 goals in his lifetime. Bican played for Czechoslovakia and Austria at the time and scored 395 goals in 217 matches for Slavia Prague.
Also Read: IPL 2026 Rescheduled: New Start and End Dates Revealed
Disclaimer
Possible11 is a sports news and analysis platform designed purely for entertainment and educational purposes. All match previews, player insights, and team analyses are based on publicly available information and expert opinions. We do not promote or support betting, gambling, or real-money gaming in any form. Users are encouraged to enjoy our content responsibly and use it for informational purposes only.
Give Your Feedback