Top 10 Highest International Goal Scorers In Football History

Even in this day and age of club football’s immense appeal, every football player still dreams of scoring goals while wearing the national jersey. So, let’s take a look at the highest goal scorers in international football to date. A select group of players have then recorded their names in history by repeatedly feeling that same emotion.

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. Let’s delve into the history of international football and have a look at the great names of those who made their name on the International stage for their country.

Top 10 International Goal Scorers of All Time

10. Godfrey Chitalu (Zambia) – 79 Goals

At 10th place, we have our only African player on the list Godfrey Chitalu of Zambia. He most plays in Zambia for clubs like Kabwe Warriors and Kitwe United. For Zambia, Chitalu scored 79 goals in 111 appearances and became the highest goal-soring African player in International football. He made his debut for Zambia in 1968 and concluded his career as the legend of the continent.

Country	Zambia
Goals	79
Appearances	111

9. Ferenc Puskas (Hungary) – 84 Goals

Legends like Ferenc Puskas of Hungary, who had an incredible goal-to-match ratio of 1:1 and scored an excellent 84 goals for his country, are honoured on the roll of honour. He is also known for his contributions to Real Madrid and is regarded as one of the greatest players in football on both club and International level.

Country	Hungary
Goals	84
Appearances	85

8. Robert Lewandowski (Poland) – 84 Goals

Robert Lewandowski has achieved every single individual award for his club performances with Bayern Munich and Barcelona. He is still scoring goals with insane consistency for the club. The Polish icon has been the figure of inspiration for his country, Poland as well as having bagged 85 goals in 157 matches on the International level.

Country	Poland
Goals	85
Appearances	157

7. Ali Mabkhout (UAE) – 85 Goals

United Arab Emirates star Ali Mabkhout is the sixth name on the list. He has scored 89 goals for the United Arab Emirates in 113 appearances and as many as Europe’s premium Romelu Lukaku in fewer games, though against comparatively weaker opponents.

Country	United Arab Emirates
Goals	85
Appearances	113

Also Read: Ranking of Euro Top Goal Scorers All Time

6. Romelu Lukaku ( Belgium) – 88 Goals

One of the best modern-day strikers in the world, Romelu Lukaku, has risen in the rankings in recent times, scoring 85 goals for Belgium’s national team and becoming their all-time top scorer in just 119 matches for the country. He made his debut 14 years ago at just 16 years old against Croatia in an International friendly clash. The Belgian marksman is still scoring goals for his country in International football.

Country	Belgium
Goals	88
Appearances	122

5. Mokhtar Dahari (Malaysia) – 89 Goals

Mokhtar Dahari, known as Super Mokh’ is a legendary figure in Malaysian and Asian football and was popular for his goal-scoring ability. He led Malaysia to several achievements during his playing days and scored 89 goals in 131 appearances. Dahari is only behind Ali Daei and Sunil Chettri as the top scorer from Asia on this list.

Country	Malaysia
Goals	89
Appearances	131

4. Sunil Chhetri (India) – 95 Goals

Remarkably, Sunil Chhetri, the football talisman from India, is ranked third on the active all-time scorers’ list and fourth overall with 94 goals for the Blue Tigers. In the past ten years, Chhetri has been a big contributor to India’s football success and has become a national hero. But not just the celebrities of the twenty-first century who are listed in the record books. The Indian captain recently returned to International football.

Country	India
Goals	95
Appearances	152

Also Read: MLS Top Goal Scorers: Major League Soccer’s Finest Since 1996

3. Ali Daei (Iran) – 109 Goals

Iranian icon Ali Daei is the second-highest goal-scorer with 109 goals for his country in a total of 148 matches and became the first-ever player to reach the 100-goal mark in International football. He is also the top scorer among the Asian players and the only player from Asia to score 100 goals in International football.

Country	Iran
Goals	108
Appearances	148

2. Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 109 Goals

But discussing Cristiano Ronaldo without equating him with another contemporary superstar, Lionel Messi, is a crime. The Argentine magician makes an appearance in the top 10 of this prestigious list, as is customary. Third on the all-time list of the highest-scoring international players, Lionel Messi has scored 112 goals in 191 appearances. He is also the second most prolific goal scorer, but he is still playing behind Cristiano Ronaldo.

Country	Argentina
Goals	112
Appearances	191

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 136 Goals

Icon, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal has scored the most goals in men’s international football, with 136 goals in 219 games and counting for Portugal’s men’s national team. Since making his Portugal national team debut in 2003, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored goals on a regular basis. He also holds the record for the most hat tricks in international football, with ten and continues to lead his nation as their talisman in the attack.

Country	Portugal
Goals	136
Appearances	219

List of Top 10 International Goal Scorers in Football History

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	Malaysia	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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