The Highest Goal Scorers in Football History: Football fans worldwide are blessed to witness an era where two legends, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, have redefined goal-scoring. As Ronaldo celebrated his 900th career goal in September 2024, Messi continued to etch his name in history with breathtaking achievements.
These players sit atop a list of football’s most prolific goal-scorers, a testament to their unparalleled skill and longevity. Here’s a detailed look at the top ten highest goal-scorers of all time.
The Highest Goal Scorers in Football History
10. Tulio Maravilha
575 Goals (1988–2019)
The Brazilian journeyman had a knack for scoring, representing nearly 40 clubs in his career. His best years were at Botafogo, where he claimed the league’s Golden Boot thrice. Despite limited international caps, Tulio scored 13 goals in 15 matches for Brazil.
9. Uwe Seeler
575+ Goals (1953–1978)
Seeler was a Hamburg legend, scoring consistently in over 400 appearances for the club. Though his international career saw heartbreak in the 1966 World Cup final, Seeler remains a German football icon. He passed away in July 2022, leaving a legacy that transcends trophies.
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8. Ferenc Deak
576+ Goals (1940–1957)
Hungarian forward Ferenc Deak was a goal-scoring machine, averaging more than three goals per game for Szentlorinci AC. Although he spent his career in Hungary, his staggering numbers remain legendary.
7. Gerd Muller
734 Goals in 793 Games (1962–1981)
Known as “Der Bomber,” Muller scored vital goals, including the 1974 World Cup-winning strike for West Germany. With 365 Bundesliga goals and 66 in European competitions for Bayern Munich, he set records that endured for decades.
6. Ferenc Puskas
746+ Goals in 754+ Games (1943–1966)
A Hungarian football icon, Puskas achieved fame with Budapest Honvéd and Real Madrid, averaging almost a goal per game. His brilliance on the pitch is immortalized through the FIFA Puskas Award, honouring the best goal of the year.
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5. Pelé
757 Goals in 831 Games (1957–1977)
The Brazilian maestro is one of football’s greatest, winning three World Cups and dazzling fans with his scoring prowess. While Pelé claimed over 1,000 career goals, only 757 are recognized officially. His influence on the sport remains unmatched.
4. Romário
772 Goals in 994 Games (1985–2007)
Romário was instrumental in Brazil’s 1994 World Cup win, netting five goals during the tournament. His club career spanned ten teams, with notable success at PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona. His technical brilliance made him one of the most effective strikers of his generation.
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3. Josef Bican
805+ Goals in 530+ Games (1931–1956)
Czech-Austrian striker Josef Bican was football’s top scorer for decades. His 395 goals in 217 matches for Slavia Prague remain legendary. While he reportedly scored over 1,500 goals in unofficial matches, FIFA recognizes 805.
2. Lionel Messi
850 Goals in 1,081 Games (2003–Present)
Messi’s career is a tapestry of records, trophies, and unmatched skill. From scoring 650+ goals for Barcelona to leading Argentina to a World Cup victory in 2022, Messi’s legacy is firmly etched in football history. Now with Inter Miami, he continues to dazzle, inching closer to the 900-goal milestone.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
910 Goals in 1,250 Games (2001–Present)
Ronaldo’s journey to becoming football’s highest goal-scorer is marked by consistency, adaptability, and excellence. From Manchester United to Real Madrid, Juventus, and now Al Nassr, Ronaldo has broken records at every turn. With 135 international goals and a staggering 910 strikes overall, he is now eyeing an unprecedented 1,000 career goals.
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