Goals are the soul of football. They don’t just win you games, they start revolutions. A goal can silence an entire stadium or send it into wild, euphoric chaos.
It’s the moment fans hold their breath, the instant dreams are either shattered or fulfilled. Some players live for the pass, others for the tackle.
But a rare few are born to score.
They carry the weight of expectation with every run, every touch, every shot. These are the ones who treat the penalty area like home, who smell blood when defenders panic, and who can change the course of a match with a single strike.
They do not just chase records, they set them. From muddy pitches in the early 1900s to the dazzling lights of today’s arenas, these goal scorers became legends by doing what they did best: finding the back of the net.
This is a celebration of the 20 greatest goal scorers in soccer history; names every fan, young or old, should know.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
- 931+ career goals from 2002 – date
Still going strong, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the leading goalscorer in football history, constantly adding to his monumental tally.
His incredible consistency and longevity have seen him dominate the sport for over two decades.
From Sporting CP to Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and now Al-Nassr, and of course with the Portuguese national team, Ronaldo’s goalscoring exploits are unparalleled, making him a true icon of the game.
2. Lionel Messi
- 871+ career goals from 2004 – date
The Argentine maestro, Lionel Messi, stands as the second-highest goalscorer. His dazzling dribbling, creative playmaking, and clinical finishing have redefined the modern game.
A record-breaking player for Barcelona, he continues to find the net with ease for Inter Miami and the Argentine national team, holding numerous records including the most Ballon d’Or awards.
3. Josef Bican
- 722+ career goals between 1931-1955
Often considered one of the most prolific goal scorers of all time, Josef Bican‘s career spanned across Austria and Czechoslovakia.
His incredible goal-to-game ratio in a bygone era is truly remarkable.
While exact figures vary due to the historical context, his sheer volume of goals for clubs like Slavia Prague solidifies his legendary status.
4. Pelé
- 762+ career goals between 1957-1977
“The King” of football, Pelé, is widely regarded as one of the greatest players ever. A three-time World Cup winner with Brazil, his impact on the sport is immeasurable.
While precise goal counts can differ due to including friendlies and unofficial matches, his official tally is still staggering, primarily achieved with Santos and the Brazilian national team.
5. Romário
- 756+ career goals between 1985-2007
The Brazilian striker, Romário, was known for his clinical finishing and predatory instincts inside the box.
A World Cup winner in 1994, he enjoyed highly successful spells with clubs like PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona, leaving a significant mark on European and Brazilian football.
6. Ferenc Puskás
- 725+ career goals between 1943-1966
A legend of Hungarian football and Real Madrid, Ferenc Puskás was a key figure in the “Magical Magyars” team of the 1950s.
His powerful left foot and incredible goalscoring record for both club and country led to FIFA naming the annual “Puskás Award” for the most beautiful goal after him.
7. Robert Lewandowski
- 695+ career goals from 2008 – date
One of the most dominant strikers of his generation, Robert Lewandowski has consistently delivered a phenomenal number of goals for every club he’s played for, notably Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, and now Barcelona.
He is also Poland’s all-time leading goalscorer, renowned for his professionalism and relentless pursuit of goals.
8. Jimmy Jones
- 639+ career goals between 1947-1964
Another prolific Northern Irish goalscorer, Jimmy Jones spent most of his career in his homeland, becoming the leading goalscorer in the history of Irish League football.
His career was marked by incredible consistency and a remarkable ability to find the back of the net.
9. Gerd Müller
- 634+ career goals between 1964-1981
“Der Bomber” was a true fox-in-the-box, known for his instinctive finishing and ability to score from any position.
Gerd Müller is Bayern Munich’s record goalscorer and the all-time top scorer in the Bundesliga, a testament to his incredible efficiency in front of goal for club and country.
10. Joe Bambrick
- 626+ career goals between 1926-1943
An Irish football legend, Joe Bambrick was a formidable goalscorer in the early 20th century.
He was renowned for his prolific scoring rate, particularly for Linfield in Northern Ireland, including a season where he netted 50 league goals.
11. Abe Lenstra
- 624+ career goals between 1936-1963
Considered one of the greatest Dutch footballers of all time, Abe Lenstra spent the majority of his career with Heerenveen, where he remains the club’s all-time top scorer.
His impact was so profound that their stadium is named in his honor.
12. Luis Suarez
- 573+ career goals from 2005 to the present day
The Uruguayan striker has enjoyed a stellar career with clubs like Ajax, Liverpool, and Barcelona, where he formed a formidable attacking trio.
Known for his tenacious style, incredible technique, and powerful finishing, Suarez continues to score at a high level.
13, Eusébio
- 578+ career goals between 1960-1978
“The Black Panther,” Eusebio, was a Portuguese icon and a true global superstar.
He led Benfica to numerous domestic and European titles, and his individual brilliance earned him the Ballon d’Or in 1965. He remains one of the greatest players in Portuguese football history.
14. Glenn Ferguson
- 563+ career goals between 1987-2011
A Northern Irish league legend, Glenn Ferguson spent his entire career in Northern Ireland, becoming one of the most prolific goalscorers in the history of the league.
His longevity and consistent goal return are a testament to his dedication.
15. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
- 561+ career goals between 1999-2023
A truly unique and charismatic player, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored goals wherever he’s played, across multiple top European leagues and in MLS.
His remarkable athleticism, audacious goals, and larger-than-life personality have made him a global footballing icon.
16. Imre Schlosser
- 553+ career goals between 1906-1928
A Hungarian football pioneer, Imre Schlosser was one of the earliest prolific goalscorers in football history.
He was known for his incredible scoring rate in the early 20th century, primarily for Ferencváros and MTK Budapest.
17. Fernando Peyroteo
- 553+ career goals between 1937-1949
A Portuguese goal machine, Fernando Peyroteo spent his entire career with Sporting CP, where he holds an astounding goal-to-game ratio.
He was a dominant force in Portuguese football during his era, with a record that speaks for itself.
18. Uwe Seeler
552+ career goals between 1954-1978
A German football legend and Hamburg icon, Uwe Seeler was a powerful and versatile striker.
He spent his entire professional club career with Hamburger SV and represented West Germany in four World Cups, known for his aerial prowess and spectacular goals.
19. Jimmy McGrory
- 550+ career goals between 1923-1937
The greatest goalscorer in Scottish football history, Jimmy McGrory spent almost his entire career with Celtic.
He holds numerous scoring records in Scottish football, demonstrating incredible consistency and prolificacy in front of goal during his time.
20. Alfredo Di Stéfano
- 537+ career goals between 1945-1966
One of the greatest players of all time, Alfredo Di Stéfano was a pivotal figure in Real Madrid’s dominance of European football in the 1950s.
A complete forward, he could score, create, and influence the game from anywhere on the pitch, leading them to five consecutive European Cups.
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