The top 10 highest goal scorer in football the world list shows us how legendary players turned chances into history. Scoring goals is the hardest part of football, and only a few players have managed to score consistently at the highest level for many years. These footballers didn’t just score goals-they changed matches, broke records, and inspired millions of fans around the world.

In this guide, we’ll look at the top 10 goal scorers in football history, how they scored so many goals, and what made them truly special.

Why Goals Matter So Much in Football

Football is a simple game at heart: score more goals than your opponent. But scoring goals consistently is not easy. A striker may get only 2-3 clear chances in a match. Defenders, goalkeepers, pressure from fans, and tactics make it even harder.

That’s why players who score hundreds of goals across different competitions and seasons are considered legends.

Goals show:

• Finishing ability
• Positioning sense
• Mental strength
• Consistency over years

The highest goal scorer in football the world is not decided by talent alone, but by discipline, fitness, and match intelligence.

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How This List Is Calculated

Before moving to the list, it’s important to understand how goals are counted.

This list includes:

• Official goals only
• Club and international goals
• Recognized competitions

Friendly matches, unofficial games, or youth-level goals are not included.

Top 10 Highest Goal Scorers in Football the World (All-Time)

Here is a simple and user-friendly table showing the top 10 goal scorers in football history.

Rank	Player Name	Country	Total Goals	Career Period
1	Cristiano Ronaldo	Portugal	870+	2002–Present
2	Lionel Messi	Argentina	820+	2004–Present
3	Pelé	Brazil	760+	1956–1977
4	Romário	Brazil	740+	1985–2009
5	Ferenc Puskás	Hungary	725+	1943–1966
6	Josef Bican	Austria/Czech	720+	1931–1955
7	Robert Lewandowski	Poland	650+	2006–Present
8	Jimmy Jones	Northern Ireland	640+	1947–1964
9	Gerd Müller	Germany	630+	1963–1981
10	Eusebio	Portugal	620+	1957–1979

(Goal numbers may slightly vary depending on updated official records.)

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – The Highest Goal Scorer in Football the World

Cristiano Ronaldo stands at the top as the highest goal scorer in football the world. His goal-scoring journey covers multiple leagues, countries, and playing styles.

What makes Ronaldo special:

• Scores with both feet and head
• Strong physical fitness even after 35
• Performs under pressure
• Consistent for over 20 years

He has scored goals in:

• English Premier League
• La Liga
• Serie A
• Champions League
• International tournaments

Ronaldo’s dedication to training, diet, and discipline is a major reason for his long career.

2. Lionel Messi—The Most Natural Goal Scorer

Lionel Messi is often called the most gifted footballer ever. While Ronaldo is known for power, Messi is known for control and creativity.

Why Messi scores so many goals:

• Incredible dribbling close to goal
• Perfect left foot accuracy
• Vision to find scoring spaces
• Calm finishing

Messi has scored hundreds of goals for Barcelona, PSG, Inter Miami, and Argentina. He also holds records for:

• Most goals in a calendar year
• Most goals for a single club

3. Pelé—The King of Football

Pelé is a true football icon. He played in a time when pitches were rough, defenders were aggressive, and sports science was limited.

Pelé’s goal record shows:

• Amazing consistency
• Ability to score in big tournaments
• Strong finishing with both feet

He remains one of the greatest goal scorers in football history and won three World Cups — a record no other player has matched.

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4. Romário—The Master Inside the Box

Romário was not very tall or fast, but he knew exactly where to stand. His positioning inside the penalty area was unmatched.

Strengths of Romário:

• Quick reactions
• Sharp finishing
• One-touch goals

He believed that scoring goals was an art, and his numbers prove it.

5. Ferenc Puskás—A Legend Ahead of His Time

Ferenc Puskás was one of the first global football stars. Playing mainly for Hungary and Real Madrid, he scored goals at an unbelievable rate.

Why Puskás was special:

• Powerful left foot
• Long-range shooting
• High goal-per-game ratio

The FIFA Puskás Award is named in his honor, celebrating the best goal of the year.

6. Josef Bican—The Forgotten Goal Machine

Josef Bican’s name is not very popular among modern fans, but his goal record is incredible.

Key points:

• Played in the early days of professional football
• Extremely fast striker
• Scored goals almost every match

Many football historians consider Bican one of the most efficient scorers ever.

7. Robert Lewandowski—Modern-Day Goal Machine

Robert Lewandowski represents modern football perfectly. His fitness, positioning, and finishing are world-class.

Why Lewandowski is among the top:

• Consistency in Bundesliga and La Liga
• Strong aerial ability
• Smart movement

Scoring five goals in nine minutes remains one of the greatest moments in football history.

8. Jimmy Jones—Northern Ireland’s Goal King

Jimmy Jones scored most of his goals at club level in Northern Ireland. While he didn’t play in major leagues, his goal record is still officially recognized.

Important points:

• Extremely high scoring rate
• Long club career
• Strong local league impact

9. Gerd Müller—The Ultimate Penalty Box Striker

Gerd Müller, also known as “Der Bomber,” was deadly inside the box.

Why Müller was feared:

• Quick turns
• Powerful shots
• Excellent anticipation

He scored crucial goals for Bayern Munich and Germany, including World Cup-winning goals.

10. Eusébio – Portugal’s Golden Panther

Eusébio was known for his speed, power, and shooting accuracy.

What made Eusébio great:

• Explosive runs
• Powerful right foot
• Big-game performances

He helped put Portuguese football on the global map.

What We Learn from the Highest Goal Scorers

All top goal scorers share common qualities:

• Discipline and training habits
• Mental toughness
• Ability to adapt with age
• Hunger to score every match

Talent starts the journey, but consistency builds history.

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Difference Between Club Goals and International Goals

Many fans get confused between club and international goals.

• Club goals: League matches, cup matches, continental tournaments
• International goals: Matches played for national teams

Players like Ronaldo and Messi dominate in both areas, which makes them stand out.

Are Today’s Players Scoring More Goals?

Modern football offers:

• Better fitness
• Advanced tactics
• Improved pitches

But older players played fewer matches per season, making their goal records even more impressive.

Both eras deserve respect.

Future Players Who May Enter This List

Some active players are still scoring heavily:

• Kylian Mbappé
• Erling Haaland

If they stay fit and consistent, they may challenge this list in the future.

Final Thoughts

The top 10 highest goal scorer in football the world list reminds us that scoring goals is about more than just talent. It’s about effort, discipline, and passion for the game. These players didn’t just score goals — they built legacies that will be remembered forever.

Football will continue to evolve, but goal scorers like these will always remain special.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is the highest goal scorer in football the world?

Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the highest goal scorer in football history with over 870 official goals.

Is Lionel Messi close to Ronaldo in goal scoring?

Yes, Lionel Messi is second on the list and continues to score goals at club and international level.

Are Pelé’s goals officially counted?

Yes, Pelé’s official goals are recognized by FIFA, excluding unofficial friendlies.

Why is Josef Bican not very famous today?

He played in an earlier era with limited global media coverage, which reduced his international popularity.

Can current players break Ronaldo’s record?

It is possible, but they will need long careers, consistency, and excellent fitness to reach such numbers.