Top 10 Highest Goalscorers of All Time in Football [Updated 2024]

Last Updated : 23 Mar, 2024

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo is the leading goal-scorer in the world. The Portuguese forward scored 54 goals for club and country in 2023. The legends of football in our “Top 10 Highest Goal Scorers of All Time” article, showcasing players who transformed the sport with their goal-scoring prowess. From Pelé to Lionel Messi, these athletes have become icons, achieving extraordinary goal counts and setting new standards. They are celebrated for their precision, power, and consistency, making them standouts in football’s history.

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Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane scored 52 goals, PSG and France forward Kylian Mbappe (52 goals), and Manchester City and Norway striker Erling Haaln (50 goals), came out to be the top leading scorers of 2023.

List of Highest Goal Scorers of All Time

Given below is the list of the Top 10 Highest with their nationalities:

Goal Scorer	Goals Scored	Nationality	Notable Club(s)
Cristiano Ronaldo	859	Portugal	Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus
Lionel Messi	821	Argentina	Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain
Josef Bican	805	Czech Republic	Slavia Prague
Romario	775	Brazil	Vasco da Gama, Barcelona
Pele	762	Brazil	Santos, New York Cosmos
Ferenc Puskas	729	Hungary	Budapest Honvéd, Real Madrid
Jimmy Jones	647	Northern Ireland	Glenavon, Fulham
Robert Lewandowski	638	Poland	Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Barcelona
Gerd Muller	634	Germany	Bayern Munich
Eusebio	61	Portugal	Benfica

1. Cristiano Ronaldo || 859 goals

No player has ever scored as many goals for Real Madrid as Ronaldo has scored, and he also leads the way for Portugal. In fact, Ronaldo’s haul for his country is more than any other male player at international level.

Cristiano-Ronaldo-(1)

He has found the back of the net a total of 873 times throughout his illustrious career and won three Premier League titles, five Champions League titles, and Euro 2016, to name just a few of his many trophies. Despite turning 38 in February, the former Juventus and Manchester United star has shown he still has much to give for both club and country, having scored more goals than anyone else in the calendar year of 2023, striking 52 times for Portugal and Al-NassrWe are unlikely to see another striker as good as Cristiano Ronaldo, whose goal-scoring mindset has made him the greatest marksman in sporting history.

After beginning out as a quick-footed winger, the Portuguese star dominated the goalscoring charts for the majority of the twenty-first century, breaking record after record, producing Champions League totals that may never be matched.

2. Lionel Messi || 821 goals

Lionel Messi is often regarded as the best player in history, and he is equally adept at creating and taking chances. Indeed, the small Argentine has scored over 800 goals in little over 1000 professional games.

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He made his first-team debut for Barcelona in 2004 and quickly established himself as one of the most exciting talents in football. Over the years, Messi has broken numerous records, including:

Most goals for a single club: Messi scored 672 goals for Barcelona across all competitions before moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.
Most Ballon d’Or awards: Messi has won the prestigious award 7 times, recognizing him as the world’s best player more times than any other player in history.
Most goals in a calendar year: Messi set a record in 2012 by scoring 91 goals for club and country, surpassing Gerd Müller’s previous record of 85 goals in 1972.
Most hat-tricks in La Liga: Messi has scored 36 hat-tricks in Spain’s top flight, more than any other player.

3. Josef Bican || 805 goals

He was a celebrity in Austria in the 1930s, having played for the team that reached the 1934 World Cup semi-finals, but he continued to play until 1955, retiring at the age of 42. By that time, Bican, a two-footed forward with sprinter-like speed, had scored 805 goals.

Josef-Bican

There have been various stories concerning Bican’s official goal record, but with FIFA’s 2020 commemoration of his birth anniversary, it was discovered that he scored 805 goals in a career spanning 1931 to 1955. Born in Vienna, Austria, in 1913, Bican’s career took off in the Austrian league before he moved to Czechoslovakia, where he would cement his status as a footballing legend. His most prolific years were spent with Slavia Prague, where he became the league’s top scorer in multiple seasons.

4. Romario || 775 Goals

Brazil superstar Ronaldo claims he learned the technique of goal-scoring from Romario, a man hailed by legendary Barcelona coach Johann Cruyff as “a genius” in the penalty area.

Romario

Indeed, Romario was one of the game’s most clinical finishers, as seen by his 775-goal record. Starting his career at Vasco da Gama in Brazil, Romário quickly established himself as a prolific striker. His journey took him across the globe, featuring stints at PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands and Barcelona in Spain, where his goal-scoring prowess was on full display. At Barcelona, under the management of Johan Cruyff, Romário was part of the famous “Dream Team,” contributing significantly to the club’s success, including winning the La Liga title in the 1993-1994 season.

5. Pele || 762 goals

Franz Beckenbauer regarded Pele as the best player of all time, and he was also one of the most productive forwards in the sport’s history.

Pele

‘The King’, a three-time World Cup champion with Brazil, is still widely regarded as the best player to have ever graced the beautiful game, having scored 762 goals throughout his spectacular, trophy-laden career.

6. Ferenc Puskas || 729 goals

Ferenc Puskas, dubbed ‘The Galloping Major’, was a major member of two of football’s greatest teams: Hungary’s ‘Magnificent Magyars’ and Real Madrid’s 1960 European Cup champions. He was short and portly, and his right foot wasn’t very powerful; nevertheless, his left was a cannon, and he scored the majority of his 729 goals with it from 1943 to 1966.

Ferenc-Puskas

7. Jimmy Jones || 647 goals

Jones spent most of his career in his country, where he was virtually unstoppable and had a reputation for reaching the back of the goal at an alarming rate.

Jimmy-Jones

He is the highest goalscorer in the history of Irish League football, having scored 517 goals with Glenavon, topping their goal statistics for ten straight seasons between 1952-53 and 1961-62, and totaling 647 for his numerous teams.

8. Robert Lewandowski || 638 goals

FIFA named Lewandowski the greatest player in the world in 2020 and 2021. He began his career in Dortmund before solidifying his fame at Bayern Munich, where he broke multiple Bundesliga goal-scoring records.

Robert-Lewandowski

He presently plays for another legendary team, Barcelona.

The 34-year-old has also had a successful international career, finishing as Poland’s all-time best scorer and the third-highest men’s international goalscorer in Europe, trailing only Ferenc Puskás and Cristiano Ronaldo.

9. Gerd Muller || 634 goals

Gerd Muller, the great poacher, was known for his predatory instincts in the penalty area. The Bayern Munich legend, who scored the winning goal for West Germany in the 1974 World Cup final, averaged more than one goal per game at the international level (68 in just 62 games).

Gerd-Muller

‘Der Bomber’, a small and stocky striker endowed with explosive strength, retired with a total of 634 goals.

10. Eusebio || 619 goals.

Eusebio, known as O Rei in Portugal, was one of the most prolific goal scorers of the 1960s and 1970s, leading a Benfica team that dominated domestically and conquered Europe. Eusebio was an iconic personality in Lisbon who is well-remembered by fans all over the world. He had an unbelievable goals-per-game ratio, scoring 619 goals in 639 games.

Eusebio

List of Top Highest Goalscorers (Women’s football)

Given below is the list of the Top 10 Highest women goal socrers:

#	Goalscorer	Goals Scored
1	Christine Sinclair	190
2	Abby Wambach	184
3	Mia Hamm	158
4	Carli Lloyd	134
5	Maysa Jbarah	133
6	Christine Lilly	130
7	Birgit Prinz	128
8	Alex Morgan	121
9	Julie Fleeting	116
10	Marta	115

1. Christine Sinclair || 190 goals

A beacon of Canadian football, Christine Sinclair, stands as one of the most prolific goal-scorers in the history of the women’s game. Her extraordinary career has been marked by consistent excellence, with Sinclair showcasing both scoring prowess and exceptional leadership.

As Canada’s all-time leading goal-scorer, she has not only etched her name in the record books but has also been a driving force behind Canada’s tough presence on the international stage.

2. Abby Wambach || 184 goals

Abby Wambach’s name resonates as a true icon in women’s soccer. With a towering presence on the field, Wambach’s ability to find the back of the net became synonymous with the U.S. Women’s National Team’s success.

Her memorable moments include clinching goals in Olympic and World Cup competitions, making her one of the most celebrated figures in the sport’s history. Beyond her goal-scoring exploits, Wambach’s leadership and passion have left an enduring impact on the global football community.

3. Mia Hamm || 158 goals

Mia Hamm’s influence extends far beyond her remarkable goal-scoring record. A pioneer in women’s soccer, Hamm’s name is synonymous with the growth and elevation of the women’s game.

As a two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion, Hamm’s ability to find the net was complemented by her vision, skill, and dedication to advancing the sport. Her legacy as an athlete and ambassador for women’s soccer is etched in the hearts of fans worldwide.

4. Carli Lloyd || 134 goals

Carli Lloyd’s name is etched in football lore, especially for her unforgettable performance in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final, where she netted a stunning hat-trick.

A powerhouse in midfield, Lloyd’s goal-scoring prowess, combined with her tenacity and leadership, has made her a linchpin for the U.S. Women’s National Team. Her ability to deliver on the grandest stages has solidified her status as one of the greatest American footballers of her generation.

5. Myasa Jabarah || 133 goals

Myasa Jabarah, a rising star in Palestinian women’s football, has been making waves with her goal-scoring prowess and technical brilliance.

As a trailblazer in a region where women’s football is gaining speed, Jabarah’s achievements on the field contribute significantly to the sport’s growth and recognition in Palestine. Her journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring young footballers in the region.

6. Christine Lily || 130 goals

Christine Lily’s name is synonymous with longevity and excellence in women’s soccer. With a career spanning over two decades, Lily remains one of the sport’s all-time greats.

Her goal-scoring prowess, combined with versatility and leadership, has left an indelible mark on the U.S. Women’s National Team. Lily’s impact extends beyond her playing days, as she continues to contribute to the growth of women’s soccer.

7. Birgit Prinz || 128 goals

Birgit Prinz, a German football legend, played a pivotal role in Germany’s dominance in women’s football during the early 2000s. Prinz’s goal-scoring prowess was instrumental in securing multiple major titles, including two FIFA Women’s World Cup victories.

Her leadership on the pitch and ability to perform in crucial moments established her as one of the most formidable strikers of her era.

8. Alex Morgan || 121 goals

Alex Morgan’s speed, agility, and clinical finishing make her one of the standout goal-scorers of contemporary women’s soccer. As a key figure in the U.S. Women’s National Team, Morgan has played a crucial role in their triumphs, including the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Beyond her goal-scoring exploits, Morgan’s advocacy for gender equality in sports has solidified her as a role model both on and off the pitch.

9. Julie Fleeting || 116 goals

Julie Fleeting, a Scottish football legend, is celebrated for her goal-scoring prowess and enduring impact on women’s football in Scotland. A prolific striker, Fleeting’s achievements include becoming Scotland’s all-time leading goal-scorer.

Her contributions to the sport extend to her role in promoting women’s football development, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations of players in Scotland.

10. Marta || 121 goals

Marta Vieira da Silva, known simply as Marta, stands as a beacon of Brazilian football and one of the greatest goal-scorers in the history of the women’s game. With a record-breaking number of goals in FIFA World Cup tournaments, Marta’s dazzling skills, vision, and goal-scoring finesse have captivated audiences globally. A multiple-time FIFA World Player of the Year, Marta’s impact on women’s football goes beyond the numbers, inspiring a new generation of players to dream big.

Conclusion

In the world of football, achieving objectives has been a timeless and inspirational adventure. The list of the Top 10 Highest Goalscorers of All Time, which includes luminaries such as Gerd Muller and modern-day superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, presents the lasting magic of the beautiful game.

These goal-scoring maestros, each with their flair and tale, have left their mark on football history. Whether it’s the prolific Cristiano Ronaldo, who has an incredible 859 goals, or the famous Pele, each player on this list has contributed to the creativity and drama that make football such a global phenomenon.

As we celebrate their great accomplishments, we are reminded that pursuing objectives is more than simply a number; it is a story of ability, passion, and a love for the sport that transcends time.