Top 10 Goal Scorers in World Football | Ranked

While goals determine the results, some footballers have thrived in the art of scoring record-breaking goals. Football has always produced great talents, but there are only a few who have risen to the level that could be considered unbelievable. Whether it was the Brazilian maestro, Pele, the ‘Babylonian striker’ Romario, or the contemporary rivals Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi these players have left defenders helpless and fans spellbound. Join us as we take a look at the Top 10 Goal scorers in football history who tore the houses down for their countries.

Ranking Factors

What makes several players to be one of the top goal scorers is the total number of goals they scored in that particular year. However, many players have scored the same number of goals which might make things a bit difficult to judge. To ease the operation even further, we have laid out some factors on which we will decide and rank these players.

Total Number of Matches Played

Several players have displayed extremely flattering number of goals in quick succession. These players certainly would be ranked higher as they have outperformed and displayed how easy and quick it is to score goals.

Importance of Goals

A perfect goal is also matched by the time it is been scored and that is one thing which will be essential for the ranking system. Certain game-winning goals are highly prioritized making the player more beneficial and impressive hence ranking them higher on the list.

Versatility in Scoring

A complete attacker also aims to score however his team demands and that showcases his true potential. Volleys, headers, free-kicks, and long-range finishes certainly attract more attention for any player making them a good goal scorer.

Consistency

Being a consistent goal scorer is somewhat difficult when it comes to the international level of play as players are often mixed in the league format of play hence making it difficult for them to score consistently at the international level. Consistency is an important ranking factor for any player and it certainly prioritizes them in our overall rankings.

Also Read: Top 10 best strikers in the world 2024 – Updated

Top Goal Scorers in World Football for 2024

RANK	PLAYER	NATIONALITY	GOALS	NOTABLE CLUBS
1	Cristiano Ronaldo	Portugal	921	Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al Nassr
2	Lionel Messi	Argentina	850	Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami CF
3	Josef Bican	Austria/Czech Republic	805	Slavia Prague, Rapid Vienna
4	Romario	Brazil	772	Vasco da Gama, PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Flamengo
5	Pele	Brazil	757	Santos, New York Cosmos
6	Ferenc Puskas	Hungary	746	Budapest Honved, Real Madrid
7	Gerd Muller	Germany	735	Bayern Munich
8	Eusebio	Portugal	623	Benfica
9	Tulio Maravilha	Brazil	588	Goias, Botafogo
10	Ferenc Deak	Hungary	576	Szentlorinci AC, Ferencvaros

10) Ferenc Deak (Hungary)

The football world knows Ferenc Deak as one of its most legendary figures although his name remains relatively unknown. His documented matches exceeded 500 appearances while scoring 576 goals making him a top goal-scorer throughout history. While playing for Ferencvaros and Ujpest in Hungary he scored more than 60 goals per season which remains a record in present times.

If modern football maintained detailed records of his matches then his scoring total could have increased even further. His achievements stand out despite his lesser popularity among the other individuals listed here.

Appearances	Goals
500+	576

9) Tulio Maravilha (Brazil)

The Brazilian football legend Tulio Maravilha spent his career traveling through more than 30 teams in Brazil, where he played more than 1000 matches and scored 588 goals. The European top leagues never welcomed him but his ability to score goals was among the best in his playing career.

At Botafogo, Tulio achieved his greatest achievements by earning the Brazilian Championship top scorer position while winning the championship title in 1995. Fans loved him greatly and he returned to professional football at forty-seven years old to reach 1000 total goals from both official and unofficial matches. Despite scoring fewer goals than Ronaldo or Messi Neymar demonstrates unquestionable goal-scoring determination for the Brazilian national team.

Appearances	Goals
1000+	588

8) Eusebio (Portugal)

Eusebio earned his nickname of ‘Black Panther’ as he became recognized as one of the most thrilling forward players of his time. The defenders faced a terrifying challenge when they had to face his combination of fast movement and strong strikes along with complex foot movements. Eusebio achieved 623 goals while playing 639 games to secure 11 Portuguese championships for Benfica alongside the 1962 European Cup victory where he scored twice during the final match against Real Madrid.

During the 1966 FIFA World Cup Eusebio proved impossible to stop and secured the top scorer title with nine goals which led Portugal to finish in third position. Beyond his statistical achievements, Eusebio represented a symbol of African football excellence as well as proving the black man’s ability to succeed in any competitive field. Football fans worldwide continue to remember his name among the most outstanding players in history.4

Appearances	Goals
639	623

7) Gerd Muller (Germany)

Gerd Muller perfectly embodied the definition of ‘fox in the box’ among all strikers who have ever existed. The opponents faced a real challenge due to his scoring 735 goals in 793 matches. The combination of his low body position and precise finishing abilities and optimal positioning established him as the best poacher in the game. Muller achieved three successive European Cups from 1974 to 1976 while playing for Bayern Munich and became the Bundesliga’s top goal scorer seven times. Muller achieved international success by scoring 68 goals in 62 matches for West Germany and he became famous for scoring the winning goal in the 1974 FIFA World Cup.

Both Muller and Messi achieved the same milestone in scoring more than 80 goals during a single year although Messi accomplished this record in 2012 whereas Muller did it in 1972. The front position he occupied in front of the goal made scoring easy for him because he needed only a single touch to finish. Injuries cut short his professional career yet people still consider him among the greatest goal scorers in history.

Appearances	Goals
793	735

6) Ferenc Puskas (Hungary)

Ferenc Puskas displayed artistic skill when he touched the ball. Real Madrid legend has scored 746 times in 754 games with a deadly accuracy of his left foot throughout his career making him one of the most lethal scorers of all time. The Hungarian virtuoso led European football with Budapest Honved before joining Real Madrid for an exceptional partnership with Alfredo Di Stefano. He scored four goals during the 1960 European Cup final while playing for Real Madrid and this performance remains among the greatest ever seen in soccer.

During his leadership of the Hungarian ‘Mighty Magyars’ Puskas oversaw one of the most devastating English team losses at Wembley Stadium with a 6-3 defeat in 1953. The Puskas Award for best goal of the year exists today as a tribute to the legendary player whose goal-scoring abilities were works of art.

Appearances	Goals
754	746

5) Pele (Brazil)

Pele stands as the only footballer in history who will remain unmatched. Brazilian footballer Pele scored 757 official goals and more than 1000 goals throughout his entire career including friendly matches and other competitions. When Pele reached 17 years old he scored two goals in the 1958 World Cup final which led Brazil to victory. His powerful dribbling combined with strong shooting abilities turned him into a nearly unstoppable force while playing on the field.

During his career, Pele spent most of his professional time at Santos before joining New York Cosmos to bring football popularity to that region. The way Pelé handled the ball transformed him into an iconic figure who exceeded statistical boundaries. Still, he ranks among the all-time best footballers and his impact continues to influence Brazilian players who compete abroad.

Appearances	Goals
831	757

4) Romario (Brazil)

His goal-scoring abilities made him a genuine poacher who stands among Brazil’s finest attacking talents. His outstanding skill set included rapid turning ability, precise finishing technique and expert penalty area touch which enabled him to score 780 times in 994 matches. During the 1994 FIFA World Cup Romario achieved two accomplishments by winning the competition for Brazil and earning the title of best player of the tournament while scoring five goals. His striking ability required only minimal chances to score because the fans cheered every time he touched the ball.

Romario brought significant value to PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Flamengo, and Vasco da Gama through his performances as a club footballer. When Romario joined Barcelona under Johan Cruyff’s leadership he formed a lethal attacking trio that controlled La Liga. Romario continued scoring goals up until his forty-year-old season without losing his scoring talents. Even today Romario stands as one of the greatest natural goal scorers in football history while remaining the best Brazilian contributor to the sport.

Appearances	Goals
994	780

3) Josef Bican (Austria/Czech Republic)

Although modern football fans may not recognize his name Josef Bican achieved remarkable goal-scoring numbers in his career. During the 1930s to 1940s Bican represented the Czech Republic as a footballer and achieved 759 goals across 530 matches making him rank among the most successful goal-scoring players in history. The public saw him score five or six goals during matches so frequently that it turned into an anticipated outcome. During his time Bican ran hundred meters in 10.8 seconds at a speed that was considered extremely fast.

The record-breaking goal tally from Bican’s career led FIFA to include him in their list of all-time top scorers. Bican scored more than one goal each game while playing for Slavia Prague and Rapid Vienna. World War II disrupted his professional career but his achievement in scoring goals remains his enduring legacy. The modern statistical system would show a goal total exceeding 800 if all his non-official matches received official recording.

Appearances	Goals
530	759

2) Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Throughout its history, football has received its most talented player Lionel Messi. Fans have watched him perform his exceptional dribbling skills and goal-scoring abilities during his nearly twenty-year career. Messi has participated in more than 1080 matches for Barcelona where he scored 850 times surpassing all possible records. The 2012 season remains unmatched for its 91-goal record while Messi has collected eight Ballon d’Or awards. His scoring power together with his ability to create opportunities distinguishes him as the best forward to ever grace the sport.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup delivered Messi his most significant achievement by winning his last missing trophy while collecting the Golden Ball award and scoring seven goals. The evidence indicates he possesses skills beyond European genius as he implements his strategies at PSG and now at Inter Miami. Through his outstanding solo goals and famous free kicks and victorious performances, Messi has solidified his place in football history.

Appearances	Goals
1080	850

1) Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

The football world recognizes Cristiano Ronaldo as a hard-working goal machine who delivers consistent performances. During his time at Sporting CP and his leadership of Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus he established unprecedented standards for goal scoring. The official match record for the most goals in football belongs to Ronaldo after scoring 921 goals throughout 1254 official games. Through his five ballon d’Or awards, numerous records, and his success in crucial clutch games, the Portugal striker remains an all-time great footballer. Ronaldo demonstrates his scoring capabilities through headers, weak (not so) foot shots, and powerful long-distance shots as well as his clutch penalty goals.

Currently 40 years of age, the Portuguese star still scores goals for Al Nassr. The UEFA Champions League record for most goals belongs to him with more than 140 goals scored by Ronaldo. His ability to play various positions across three top European leagues alongside his multiple achievements makes Ronaldo a remarkable talent in football.

Appearances	Goals
1254	921

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