Ranking the 15 Greatest Goalscorers in Football History

August 18, 2025 Rasmus Kristensen

Football has always celebrated those who can put the ball in the back of the net. While defenders and playmakers are vital, it is the great goalscorers who capture the imagination of fans worldwide. From legends of the past to modern-day superstars, these 15 players have written history with their astonishing ability to score goals at the highest level.

15. Zlatan Ibrahimović – 561 goals

Zlatan Ibrahimović was never just a striker; he was a global football icon. Known for his incredible technique, acrobatic finishes, and larger-than-life personality, the Swede left his mark in leagues across Europe and beyond. Despite never winning the Champions League, his goals at Ajax, Juventus, Inter, Barcelona, Milan, PSG, and LA Galaxy speak volumes about his career.

14. Glenn Ferguson – 563 goals

Glenn Ferguson built his legendary career in Northern Ireland, where he became one of the most prolific strikers in domestic football. Playing for clubs such as Ards, Glenavon, and Linfield, he scored consistently for over two decades. Though he earned only five caps for his country, Ferguson remains a hero in the Irish League.

13. Luis Suárez – 576 goals

Luis Suárez is one of the deadliest forwards of his generation, shining for Ajax, Liverpool, and Barcelona. His mixture of grit, creativity, and clinical finishing made him one of the most feared strikers in world football. Now at Inter Miami, he continues to add to his tally alongside his former Barça teammates.

12. Eusébio – 578 goals

Eusebio — Panini, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Nicknamed the “Black Panther,” Eusébio was Portugal’s first true football superstar. With Benfica, he won the European Cup in 1962 and became a global icon for his explosive pace and finishing ability. Winner of the 1965 Ballon d’Or, he remains one of the greatest players in Portuguese football history.

11. Abe Lenstra – 624 goals

Abe Lenstra was a Dutch legend long before Johan Cruyff rose to fame. Spending most of his career at Heerenveen, he became the club’s all-time top scorer and most-capped player. His impact was so profound that Heerenveen’s stadium was renamed in his honor, cementing his place in Dutch football folklore.

10. Joe Bambrick – 626 goals

Joe Bambrick may not be a household name today, but in his era, he was unstoppable in front of goal. The Northern Irish forward starred for Linfield and Chelsea, famously scoring six goals in a single match for Ireland against Wales. His finishing instincts made him a true legend of his time.

9. Gerd Müller – 634 goals

“Der Bomber” redefined goalscoring in Germany. Gerd Müller’s uncanny ability to find the net saw him become Bayern Munich’s record scorer and a World Cup winner with West Germany. With 365 Bundesliga goals, he still holds the league’s scoring record and remains one of the most efficient strikers ever.

8. Jimmy Jones – 639 goals

Jimmy Jones overcame adversity to carve his name into history. After suffering a horrific leg break during a match, he returned to dominate the Irish League with Glenavon. His relentless consistency made him the all-time top scorer in Irish League football and a true symbol of resilience.

7. Robert Lewandowski – 695 goals

Robert Lewandowski is proof of how professionalism and hard work can extend a career at the very top. After breaking out at Borussia Dortmund, he became a record-breaking machine at Bayern Munich, including scoring 41 league goals in a single season. Now at Barcelona, he remains one of the game’s great modern strikers.

6. Josef Bican – 722 goals

Josef Bican was a natural-born finisher, feared in both Austria and Czechoslovakia. He maintained his incredible scoring record even during the turbulence of World War II. With Slavia Prague, he became a club legend, and his claim of having scored over 5,000 goals only adds to his mythical status.

5. Ferenc Puskás – 725 goals

Ferenc Puskás, nicknamed “The Galloping Major,” was Hungary’s most famous footballer and a Real Madrid superstar. Known for his powerful left foot, he led Hungary’s Golden Team and later dominated European football with Madrid. Today, FIFA’s Puskás Award honors his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest finishers.

4. Romário – 756 goals

Romario — By Ricardo Stuckert/PR - http://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/arquivo/node/638022, CC BY 3.0 br, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11485094

Romário brought Brazilian flair and ruthless finishing wherever he played. At PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona, he scored goals almost at will, while also guiding Brazil to World Cup glory in 1994. Known as “O Baixinho” (The Little One), his instincts in front of goal made him one of football’s all-time greats.

3. Pelé – 762 goals

Pele — Photo: A.RICARDO / Shutterstock.com

For many, Pelé remains the greatest footballer in history. A three-time World Cup winner, he scored the majority of his goals with Santos, where he became a national icon. Though the official tally sits at 762, many believe he surpassed 1,000 goals, cementing his mythical reputation as “The King.”

2. Lionel Messi – 875 goals

Lionel Messi has combined artistry with goalscoring at a level never seen before. Barcelona’s all-time top scorer, he also holds the record for the most goals in a calendar year with 91 in 2012. After finally lifting the World Cup in 2022, Messi further solidified his legacy as one of the game’s immortals.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – 932 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo stands alone as the most prolific scorer in football history. With a staggering 932 goals, he has broken records at Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and for Portugal. Even at 40 years old, he continues to defy time, proving why he is the ultimate symbol of goalscoring excellence.