Top 29 International Goalscorers in Men’s Football History
Scoring on the international stage is no easy feat, with limited fixtures and intense competition. Yet these 29 men managed to consistently find the back of the net for their countries—some becoming national heroes, others global icons. Let’s count down from 29 to 1 and celebrate football’s most prolific international goal machines.
#29 – Hossam Hassan (Egypt) – 68 Goals
Egyptian legend Hossam Hassan holds the joint-30th spot with 68 international goals. A dominant striker throughout the '90s, he played a key role in Egypt’s regional success and remains one of Africa's most respected forwards.
#28 – Robbie Keane (Republic of Ireland) – 68 Goals
Robbie Keane is Ireland’s all-time top scorer, notching up 68 goals during a stellar international career. His consistency across nearly two decades made him a fan favorite and a constant threat in UEFA qualifiers and tournaments.
#27 – Gerd Muller (Germany) – 68 Goals
A legendary figure in world football, Gerd Muller scored 68 times in just 62 appearances for West Germany. Known for his lethal finishing, he helped his nation win both the World Cup and the European Championship.
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#26 – Carlos Ruiz (Guatemala) – 68 Goals
Carlos Ruiz was the face of Guatemalan football for years, finishing with 68 goals. His instinctive scoring ability made him a standout in CONCACAF competitions.
#25 – Stern John (Trinidad and Tobago) – 69 Goals
Stern John quietly built an impressive tally of 69 goals for Trinidad and Tobago. He was instrumental in the Soca Warriors' qualification for the 2006 World Cup, their first ever.
#24 – Luis Suarez (Uruguay) – 69 Goals
Luis Suarez is Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer, reaching 69 international goals. A fierce competitor, his goals helped lead Uruguay to Copa America glory in 2011.
#23 – Piyapong Pue-on (Thailand) – 70 Goals
Piyapong Pue-on is a Thai football legend who scored 70 times for his national team. His remarkable record stands as one of Southeast Asia’s best.
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#22 – Abdul Kadir (Indonesia) – 70 Goals
With 70 goals for Indonesia, Abdul Kadir was one of Asia's deadliest finishers during his time. He remains one of the most prolific strikers in the continent’s history.
#21 – Edin Džeko (Bosnia & Herzegovina) – 71 Goals
Edin Džeko is Bosnia’s all-time top scorer, hitting 71 goals for his country. Known for his powerful presence and clinical finishing, Džeko continues to lead by example on the pitch.
#20 – Kiatisuk Senamuang (Thailand) – 71 Goals
Another Thai great, Kiatisuk Senamuang matched Džeko’s tally with 71 goals. He later went on to coach the national team, further cementing his legacy.
#19 – Miroslav Klose (Germany) – 71 Goals
Klose remains Germany’s all-time leading scorer with 71 goals. He’s best remembered for breaking Ronaldo Nazário’s World Cup scoring record in 2014.
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#18 – Majed Abdullah (Saudi Arabia) – 72 Goals
Majed Abdullah scored 72 times for Saudi Arabia, leading the line through much of the 1980s. He played a vital role in the kingdom’s footballing rise in Asia.
#17 – Harry Kane (England) – 74 Goals
England captain Harry Kane continues to climb the list with 74 goals and counting. Already the country’s all-time top scorer, he’s a vital part of their current golden generation.
#16 – Bashar Abdullah (Kuwait) – 75 Goals
Bashar Abdullah struck 75 times for Kuwait during his long international career. He was one of the most dominant forwards in the Gulf region throughout the '90s.
#15 – Sandor Kocsis (Hungary) – 75 Goals
Kocsis was part of Hungary’s legendary “Mighty Magyars” team, scoring 75 goals in just 68 matches. His incredible goal-per-game ratio remains one of the best ever.
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#14 – Kunishige Kamamoto (Japan) – 75 Goals
Kamamoto is still Japan’s all-time top scorer, with 75 international goals. He played a crucial role in helping Japan win a bronze medal at the 1968 Olympics.
#13 – Pelé (Brazil) – 77 Goals
Pelé, one of football’s greatest ever players, scored 77 goals for Brazil. He won three World Cups and left a lasting legacy on the global game.
#12 – Hussein Saeed Mohammed (Iraq) – 78 Goals
Hussein Saeed Mohammed scored 78 goals for Iraq, playing a pivotal role during the country’s footballing peak in the 1980s. His tally remains unbeaten in Iraqi football history.
#11 – Godfrey Chitalu (Zambia) – 79 Goals
Zambia’s Godfrey Chitalu scored 79 goals in international play. He’s widely considered one of the greatest African forwards ever.
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#10 – Neymar (Brazil) – 79 Goals
Neymar tied Chitalu’s mark with 79 goals for Brazil, becoming the country's joint-top scorer with Pelé in recent years. Despite injuries and criticism, his talent is undeniable.
#9 – (Hungary) – 80 Goals
Ferenc Puskás scored 80 goals in 80 matches for Hungary, boasting a perfect goal-per-game average. A Real Madrid and Hungarian legend, his name lives on in FIFA’s Goal of the Year award.
#8 – Ali Mabkhout (United Arab Emirates) – 85 Goals
Ali Mabkhout has scored 85 goals for the UAE, making him one of Asia’s most prolific attackers. His consistency has made him a cornerstone of the national team.
#7 – Robert Lewandowski (Poland) – 86 Goals
Poland’s Robert Lewandowski recently reached 86 goals, passing Mabkhout. Known for his remarkable consistency and professionalism, he’s still going strong.
#6 – Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) – 89 Goals
Lukaku leads Belgium’s all-time scoring chart with 89 goals. His strength and clinical finishing have powered the Red Devils through two World Cup cycles.
#5 – Mokhtar Dahari (Malaysia) – 89 Goals
Tied with Lukaku is Mokhtar Dahari, who bagged 89 goals for Malaysia. He was a dominant force in Southeast Asian football during the '70s and '80s.
#4 – Sunil Chhetri (India) – 95 Goals
India’s captain Sunil Chhetri has 95 goals to his name and is still playing. He’s a beloved figure in Indian football and continues to inspire a new generation.
#3 – Ali Daei (Iran) – 108 Goals
Ali Daei was once the top international scorer of all time, with 108 goals for Iran. He held the record for nearly two decades before being overtaken.
#2 – Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 114 Goals
Lionel Messi moved into second place after scoring twice against Venezuela, reaching 114 goals. The Argentine maestro continues to make history on the international stage.
#1 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 141 Goals
Cristiano Ronaldo is the undisputed king of international goals, with 141 strikes for Portugal. With 223 appearances, he’s also the most-capped player in men’s football history.
