Ranking the 10 Players With Most Goals In International Football

There have been several goal scorers in the history of football over the years. While some of them have scored some instant bangers and screamers, many have tried to remain consistent and have a knack for scoring goals each time they are on the pitch. From legends like Pele, and Ferenc Puskas to current generational superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, there have been several goal scorers who have broken many records by scoring an incredible amount of goals in their professional careers in International football.

Being a top goal scorer for any country requires exceptional capabilities and tremendous performances constantly at the highest level of football. However, there is a selected list of players who have been exceptional in playing for their country and scoring goals consistently. In this article, we are going to list the top players with the most goals in International football.

10) Godfrey Chitalu (Zambia)

Zambian legend Godfrey Chitalu is the only African player on the list, Chitalu made his international debut for his country in 1968 and earned 91 International caps with 79 goals. The attacker mostly played for clubs like Kabwe Warriors and Kitwe United in his home country. He is regarded as one of the greatest African players with remarkable influence at the International level. With 79 goals in 111 appearances to become one of the players with the most goals internationally.

Country	Zambia
Goals	79
Appearances	111

9) Ferenc Puskás (Hungary)

Hungarian footballer Ferenc Puskás is certainly one of the greatest footballers of all time and one of the finest goal-scorers of all time. Playing as a forward, Ferenc has played for Hungary and Spain at the International level. He played with Real Madrid where he scored loads of goals making him one of the all-time greats. He had 84 goals in 85 matches. FIFA has also dedicated an award in memory of the legend titled the FIFA Puskás Award, which is given to the player who has scored the most beautiful goal each year.

Country	Hungary
Goals	84
Appearances	85

8) Robert Lewandowski (Poland)

The Polish striker Robert Lewandowski is one of the most popular and influential strikers of all time. He is one of the most successful Bayern Munich players in the history of the club with over 700 senior career goals for the club and country. He also captains the Poland National team and continues to showcase his form at FC Barcelona at 36 years of age. In International football, he has bagged 85 goals for his country in 157 games for Poland since his debut in 2008.

Country	Poland
Goals	85
Appearances	157

7) Ali Mabkhout (UAE)

United Arab Emirates’s all-time top scorer, Ali Mabkhout, is one of the most prolific goal-scorers in Asia with plenty of goals under his name at the International level. He has scored 85 goals in 115 appearances for the Arabian country throughout his International career and is still active for his country. The 34-year-old plays for UAE Pro League club Al-Nasr SC and played for Al-Jazira previously.

Country	Malaysia
Goals	89
Appearances	142

Also Read: Ranking the 10 Highest International Goal Scorers In Football 2024

6) Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)

The power centre forward, Romelu Lukaku is hailed as one the best modern-day strikers in football, he has played for some of the biggest clubs in the world in the Premier League and Serie A. Currently, he is playing for the Italian club SSC Napoli and actively plays for Belgium’s men’s national team. Lukaku has made 122 appearances for his country and netted 88 goals to achieve the status of Belgian’s all-time top scorer.

Country	Belgium
Goals	88
Appearances	122

5) Mokhtar Dahari (Malaysia)

The icon of Asia and the greatest Malaysian footballer of all time, Mokhtar Dahari, is 5th on the list of players with the most goals for his country. He had scored 89 goals and played a staggering 142 appearances for the Asian country. With Malaysia, the legendary goal scorer claimed three medals in the Asian games. Debuted in 1972, he was a commanding figure of Malaysia’s men’s national team, being the all-time highest goal scorer and died at 32 due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Country	Malaysia
Goals	89
Appearances	142

4) Sunil Chettri (India)

The icon of Indian football, Sunil Chettri, is third on the list of active players with the most International goals and fourth on this honourable ranking bagging 95 goals for the Indian senior men’s national in a total of 152 appearances. Chettri recently announced his return to International football from retirement and already scored a few goals for the Blues Tigers. The 40-year-old striker made his debut in 2005, and since then, he has been the leading figure for India while continuing to extend his legacy.

Country	India
Goals	95
Appearances	152

Also Read: Top 5 Highest Goal Scorer in The World Football 2024 – Ranked

3) Ali Daei (Iran)

The legend of Iran, Alie Daei was the only player in the history of the game to score more than 100 goals in International football before the likes of Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed him. One the greats of the game, Daei spent a significant spell in the German top flight playing for Bayern Munich and Herta in the Bundesliga, being among only a few Asians to have played in Europe during his era. Internationally, he scored 108 times in 148 matches in total.

Country	Iran
Goals	108
Appearances	148

2) Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Arguably one of the greatest players of all time, Lionel Messi continues to perform tremendously after having numerous records under his name over the years. Being one of the most complete forwards of all time, Messi remains untouchable in several La Liga records with eight Ballon d’Or awards. As he continues to show his form at Inter Miami, it remains to be seen how the Barcelona legend carves his career ahead. As of now, Messi is second with 112 goals in 191 matches.

Country	Argentina
Goals	112
Appearances	191

1) Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

The Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo does not need any introductions as he has been unstoppable since day one and continues to be a dominant force in world football. Having numerous Ballon d’Or awards, UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Awards, World’s Best Player Awards, and several other awards, he has been scoring goals in each club he has been in.

Boasting the record for most goals in the UEFA Champions League, European Championship, and Internationally, Ronaldo has set his aim to score more than 1000 goals throughout his career. The 40-year-old is Portugal’s all-time top scorer and appearance-maker maker also the player with the most goals for the country and internationally with 136 goals.

Country	Portugal
Goals	136
Appearances	219

List of Top 10 Players with Most Goals Internationally

Position	Player	Country	Goals	Appearances
1	Cristiano Ronaldo	Portugal	136	219
2	Lionel Messi	Argentina	112	191
3	Ali Daei	Iran	108	148
4	Sunil Chhetri	India	95	152
5	Mokhtar Dahari	UAE	89	142
6	Romelu Lukaku	Belgium	88	122
7	Ali Mabkhout	United Arab Emirates	85	115
8	Robert Lewandowski	Poland	85	157
9	Ferenc Puskás	Hungary	84	85
10	Godfrey Chitalu	Zambia	79	111

Also Read: Top 10 Goal Scorers in World Football | Ranked

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