Top 10 International Football Goal Scorers: Who's Where?
Scoring goals in international football represents a cherished aspiration and a significant source of pride for any footballer. The experience of taking the field in your national team jersey, netting a goal, and guiding your team to victory is among the most glorious moments in a player's career. Achieving this is no simple task. Nevertheless, there are certain players who have made scoring for their national teams a consistent practice, thereby etching their names into history. do you know most international goal by a player/ highest goal score in FIFA history/ Football player career goal/Messi vs Ronaldo goal comparison?
In this blog, we will examine the list of the top international football goal scorers up to 2025 – highlighting not only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi but also stars from nations such as India, Iran, Malaysia, and Zambia. This compilation will be particularly enjoyable for football fans in Bangladesh.
Top International Goal Scorers (2025)
Cristiano Ronaldo
The Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was born in Madeira in 1985. Since making his international debut for Portugal in 2003, he has positioned himself as the highest goal scorer in history through relentless effort, commitment, and an insatiable desire for goals. Following a remarkable career at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, he is currently playing for Al-Nassr FC. Under his leadership, Portugal secured victory in Euro 2016 and the 2019 Nations League. With 138 goals in 221 matches to date, he is significantly ahead of his rivals. It is reasonable to assert that his goal tally will only continue to rise as long as he remains active in football. Cristiano Rolando all-time stars, Want to know which players earn the most money in 2025?
Lionel Messi -International goal records & career summery:
Argentine World Cup-winning icon Lionel Andrés Messi was born in Rosario in 1987. Following his debut with the national team in 2005, he has achieved a record number of goals and titles throughout his 20-year tenure at Barcelona. Currently, he is a player for Inter Miami. His victories in the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 World Cup have brought him unparalleled glory for his nation. Messi is renowned for his world-class agility, creativity, and finishing skills. With 112 goals in 193 matches, he ranks second on this list. Unless there is an unexpected change, both Messi and Ronaldo are expected to retire from international football after the 2026 World Cup, making it highly unlikely for Messi to surpass Ronaldo's record.
Ali Daei
Ali Daei was born in Ardabil, Iran, in 1969. He made history as the first Asian player to compete in the UEFA Champions League and also had a stint with Bayern Munich in Germany. Between 1993 and 2006, he netted 108 goals in 148 matches for Iran, holding the record for the most international goals for an extended period. In September 2021, Ronaldo broke his record. Daei also found success in his coaching career.
Sunil Chhetri
The most prominent figure in Indian football, Sunil Chhetri, was born in Sikkim, India, in 1984. He is celebrated as the greatest Indian footballer in history. Since his international debut in 2005, his leadership, consistency, and confidence have propelled Indian football to new heights. With 95 goals in 155 matches, he occupies the fourth position on this list. He now has the chance to achieve the 100-goal milestone. This star from a neighboring nation is also widely recognized among Bangladeshi football enthusiasts.
Romelu Lukaku & Mokhtar Dahari (Jointly)
Jointly occupying the fifth position on this list of top goal scorers are Belgian star Romelu Lukaku and Malaysian forward Mokhtar Dahari, both of whom have netted 89 goals. Lukaku, born in Belgium in 1993, made his international debut at the young age of 17 in 2010. He is recognized for his physical strength and precise finishing skills. Conversely, the Malaysian football icon Mokhtar Dahari, born in 1953, was affectionately known as 'SuperMokh'. He sadly passed away at the age of 37 in 1991. Lukaku, still actively competing, has the potential to surpass Dahari.
Ali Mabkhout & Robert Lewandowski (Jointly)
Tied for sixth place are two notable players: Ali Mabkhout from the United Arab Emirates and Robert Lewandowski from Poland. Mabkhout, born in the UAE in 1990, made his international debut in 2012 and is recognized for his speed and astute positioning. Similarly, Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, born in 1988, made his debut for Poland in 2010. Both players have scored 85 goals each and remain active in football, providing them with the opportunity to ascend further on this list.
Ferenc Puskás
Hungarian football legend Ferenc Puskás, who scored 84 goals, was born in 1927. He captained Hungary's 'Magic Magyars' team during the 1950s and later played for Real Madrid. Puskás achieved his 84 goals in just 85 matches, resulting in an impressive goal-per-game ratio of nearly one (0.99). Only Japan's Kunishige Kamamoto comes close to matching this statistic. Puskás passed away in 2006.
Godfrey Chitalu & Neymar (Jointly)
Godfrey Chitalu, who netted 79 goals in 111 matches, ranks among Zambia's greatest footballers of all time. Born in 1947, Chitalu tragically lost his life in a plane crash in 1993.
Jointly occupying the eighth position is Brazilian football star Neymar Júnior. Born in Brazil in 1992, Neymar has had remarkable tenures at Santos, Barcelona, and PSG, and is currently playing for Al-Hilal. With 79 goals in 128 matches, he has overtaken Pelé to become Brazil's all-time leading goal scorer. He is renowned for his exceptional dribbling skills and creativity.
Hussein Saeed
Iraqi footballer Hussein Saeed, who was born in Iraq in 1958, represented the Iraqi national team from 1976 to 1990, netting 78 goals in 137 matches, which places him ninth on the all-time list. He is regarded as one of the finest footballers not only in Iraq but throughout Asia.
Kunishige Kamamoto & Bashar Abdullah (Jointly)
Japanese footballer Kunishige Kamamoto and Kuwait's Bashar Abdullah share the tenth position, each having scored 75 goals. Kamamoto, recognized as the first superstar in Japanese football history, was born in 1944 and achieved 75 goals in merely 76 matches. Conversely, Bashar Abdullah, born in Kuwait in 1977, had a long career with the Kuwait national team, scoring 75 goals in 134 matches.
📊 Summary Table
Rank Player Country Goals Matches Average Status
1 Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal 138 221 0.62 Active
2 Lionel Messi Argentina 112 193 0.58 Active
3 Ali Daei Iran 108 148 0.73 Retired
4 Sunil Chhetri India 95 155 0.61 Active
5 Lukaku/Dahari Belgium/Malaysia 89 124/142 — Active/Deceased
6 Mabkhout/Lewandowski UAE/Poland 85 — — Active
7 Ferenc Puskas Hungary 84 85 0.99 Deceased
8 Neymar/Chitalu Brazil/Zambia 79 128/111 — Active/Deceased
Data for goals and matches have been sourced from Official football database:
FIFA Stars Centre:
https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/stars-centre
ESPN Football Stars:
https://www.espn.com/soccer/stars
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Who is the all-time leading goal scorer in international football?
A: The current all-time leading goal scorer in international football is Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal.
Q: How many international goals does Lionel Messi have?
A: Lionel Messi has scored 112 international goals.
Q: Can Sunil Chhetri reach 100 goals?
A: Sunil Chhetri has currently scored 95 goals and has the potential to achieve the 100-goal milestone.
Q: Has any Bangladeshi player ever been on this list?
A: Not yet. However, it is possible that a young Bangladeshi footballer may secure a place on this list in the future.
Q: Who has the highest goal-per-game ratio?
A: Both Ferenc Puskás and Kunishige Kamamoto boast an impressive goal-per-game ratio of 0.99.
📣 Call to Action
Conclusion
This compilation of goal scorers in international football transcends mere statistics; it embodies the passion and pride of football enthusiasts around the globe. The athletes who have consistently excelled for their nations and made history are deserving of profound respect and admiration.
The inclusion of players from India, Iraq, Kuwait, and Malaysia on this list, alongside renowned figures such as Ronaldo, Messi, and Neymar, significantly underscores the diversity and equality present in global football. We aspire that, in the future, a player from Bangladesh will also be recognized on this list. With these luminaries of the football realm, the narrative of international football is continually enhanced, and we look forward to witnessing more exceptional performances from them.
If you are passionate about football, please share this blog with your friends. Additionally, do not forget to leave a comment – who is your favorite international goal scorer?
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