Who are the 13 highest international scorers of all time?

These elite players have shattered records for their respective nations and etched their names in the folklore.

To be amongst the best is no ordinary feat. It requires constant commitment and dedication, along with an unwavering spirit. Players on this list represent this ideology as they have fought hard to be at their best for the country. The list of highest scorers in international football contains some of the most lethal and world-renowned strikers as well as a few lesser-known but prolific forwards.

On September 2, 2021, Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed Iranian legend Ali Daei’s all-time record of 109 international goals to become the highest international scorer of all time. He didn’t stop there, did he?

Let’s take a look at the top 13 highest scorers in international football of all time.

13. Pele (Brazil) – 77 goals

The Brazilian legend began his goal-scoring exploits when he was a 16-year-old. He scored his first goal for Brazil in a 2-1 loss to arch-rivals Argentina. The Santos star lit the international stage for the next 14 years, leading Brazil to three World Cup titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970.

His exceptional goal-scoring stint came to an end in 1971 when he took the field against Yugoslavia. Pele retired having participated in 67 wins, 14 draws and 11 losses and scoring 77 goals in the process.

12. Hussein Saeed (Iraq) – 78 goals

Just eight minutes into his first competitive match for Iraq, Hussein Saeed scored his maiden goal for his national team. The goal came against Indonesia in the 1977 Merdeka Cup. 77 goals later, the Al-Talaba forward retired as a national hero, having established a clear footprint in the nation’s footballing ecosystem.

Saeed is considered to be one of the best Iraqi football players of the 20th century. He led Iraq to two Arabian Gulf Cups and an Asian Games Gold medal.

11. Neymar (Brazil) – 79 goals

Neymar equalled Pele’s record to become the joint-highest goalscorer in Brazil’s history with his strike against Croatia in the 2022 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals. Already among the best ever to represent the Selecao, Neymar will certainly add more to his goal tally.

10. Godfrey Chitalu (Zambia) – 79 goals

Regarded as Zambia’s greatest footballer ever, Godfrey Chitalu was a forceful presence for the African nation. The Kabwe Warriors’ forward seemingly scored at will for his nation netting 79 goals in just 111 matches. His exploits on the field led him to be named as the Zambian Footballer of the Year five times in his career.

He scored his first two international goals in a 2-2 draw against Uganda in a friendly in 1968. While his 79th and final goal for Zambia came against Kenya in the Jamhuri Cup held in 1980.

9. Robert Lewandowski (Poland) – 84 goals

Since making his debut for Poland on September 10, 2008, against San Marino, Robert Lewandowski has gone on to become the all-time leading scorer for the national team. He surpassed former record holder Wlodzimierz Lubanski’s record (48 goals) on October 5, 2017, with a hat-trick against Armenia.

Lewandowski scored his maiden FIFA World Cup goal in the 2022 edition in Qatar in a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia. His strike was the winning goal for the Polish national team. It also ended his World Cup drought, having failed to score any in the 2014 edition.

Also read: Who are the top 10 active goalscorers in international football?

8. Ferenc Puskas (Hungary) – 84 goals

The most well-known Hungarian footballer on this list, Puskas is remembered for his time with Real Madrid. The forward was also an influential presence for Hungary, scoring 84 goals in just 85 matches. He led his team to a Summer Olympics Gold as well as a Silver medal finish in the 1954 World Cup.

The Hungarian legend was also awarded the Golden Ball in the 1954 edition as a reward for his amazing showing and occupies the eigth spot in the list of highest scorers in international football of all time.

7. Ali Mabkhout (UAE) – 85 goals

One of only a few active players on the list, Ali Mabkhout has been one of UAE’s top marksmen. Since his debut in 2009 against Czechia, he has featured regularly for the Whites. He has made 114 appearances for the UAE national side.

The Al-Nasr, UAE Pro League, star has netted 85 times for his country, which includes a stellar 2019 when he scored 19 goals.

6. Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) – 85 goals

On 24 February 2010, Lukaku was named for the first time in the Belgium senior squad for a friendly against Croatia. On 17 November 2010, he scored his first two international goals in a friendly against Russia.

The Belgium striker still has a long time to go till the end of his career and will be looking to rise even more and mark his name as one of the greatest strikers on the international football scene.

5. Mokhtar Dahari (Malaysia) – 89 goals

Mokhtar Dahari led Malaysia to their best ranking of 61 in 1977. Dahari made his international debut at 19 years of age and scored a mind-blowing 89 goals for his nation in 142 games. A big-time crowd favourite, Mokhtar was a huge reason why many youngsters took up the sport in Malaysia.

4. Sunil Chhetri (India) – 94 goals

India’s record goalscorer, appearance-maker and living legend, Sunil Chhetri, is among the top-four highest-scoring active footballers in the world. Despite being 39, Chhetri had carried the burden of scoring goals for his country and netted a goal each against Cambodia, Afghanistan and Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 Qualifiers in Kolkata to take India back-to-back AFC Asian Cup finals.

With Chhetri ageing like fine wine, it only looked like a matter of time before he jumped higher on this list. Chhetri showcased his exceptional skills and talent by scoring a remarkable hat-trick against Pakistan in the SAFF Championship 2023, further elevating his goal tally to an impressive 90 goals. However, the legend retired from the international football scene on June 6, 2024.

3. Ali Daei (Iran) – 108 goals

Ali Daei was generally known amongst the current generation of fans while the player named Ronaldo was chasing his tally. The Iranian’s 109 goals seemed like an unbreakable record at one point. He started his career in 1993 in an ECO Cup tournament held in Tehran and stayed on for 13 years.

The former Bayern Munich star achieved the mind-blowing record in just 149 matches, during which he led the team to an Asian Games Gold medal in 1998.

2. Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 112 goals

Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentine footballer, has cemented his place in history as one of the most prolific goal-scorers of all time. With 112 goals, he ranks second in international football history. Messi’s exceptional skill, precision, and unmatched talent have captivated fans worldwide.

His mesmerizing dribbles, lightning-fast pace, and deadly accuracy consistently find the back of the net. Not only has he propelled Argentina to numerous victories, but Messi’s goal-scoring exploits have also solidified his status as one of the greatest footballers ever. Moreover, Messi achieved the pinnacle of success by winning the World Cup 2022 in Qatar, further adding to his remarkable legacy in international football.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) -135

Cristiano Ronaldo is now the all-time highest international goalscorer having netted 135 times on the international stage. The Portuguese star had surpassed Ali Daei’s record of 109 international goals in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier match against Ireland where he had netted a brace to make the record his own. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has since added to his tally.

The impact the Portuguese has had on the game is unfathomable. His trademark celebration has been a sight very common for football fans. The Portuguese talisman will aim to increase the lead at the top spot of the highest international scorers list in the next match of the November break against Croatia. Becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in men’s international football is just another slice of record possessed by one of the greatest footballers ever to grace the game.

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