The Bundesliga’s Greatest Goalscorers – Top 10 of All Time

July 20, 2025 Oliver Obel

Since the Bundesliga’s founding in 1963, some of football’s most legendary strikers have made their mark in Germany’s top division. From record-breaking icons like Gerd Müller to modern titans like Robert Lewandowski, these players have defined eras through their incredible scoring exploits. Here are the Bundesliga’s all-time top 10 goalscorers, starting from number 10 and working our way to the greatest of them all.

10. Klaus Allofs – 177 Goals

Klaus Allofs enjoyed a long and consistent career in the Bundesliga, scoring 177 goals over 424 games. He became the first player to win the top scorer award with two different clubs and eventually lifted the Meisterschale with Werder Bremen in 1992/93.

9. Dieter Müller – 177 Goals

Dieter Müller was a natural goalscorer who thrived especially during his time with Cologne, becoming Bundesliga top scorer in 1976/77 with 34 goals. He remains the only player in league history to score six goals in a single game, a feat achieved against Bremen in 1977.

8. Stefan Kuntz – 179 Goals

Stefan Kuntz hit the ground running by scoring in each of his first four Bundesliga matches and maintained consistency over 15 seasons. Twice a top scorer, he was also a key part of Kaiserslautern’s surprise league title in 1990/91.

7. Ulf Kirsten – 182 Goals

A symbol of loyalty, Ulf Kirsten scored all his Bundesliga goals for Bayer Leverkusen, finishing top scorer three times. Born in East Germany, he became a major force in the reunified league and helped define Leverkusen’s near-glory era.

6. Claudio Pizarro – 197 Goals

Claudio Pizzaro — Fingerhut / Shutterstock.com

Claudio Pizarro became a fan favourite during a Bundesliga career spanning two decades, scoring in every calendar year from 1999 to 2019. His class and longevity made him a legend at clubs like Werder Bremen and Bayern Munich.

5. Manfred Burgsmüller – 213 Goals

manfred burgsmuller — Photo: Worldfootball.net

Manfred Burgsmüller was an underrated genius in front of goal, sitting in the top five for decades until surpassed by Lewandowski. He remains Dortmund’s top Bundesliga scorer and finally claimed a league title late in his career with Bremen.

4. Jupp Heynckes – 220 Goals

Before becoming one of Germany’s greatest coaches, Jupp Heynckes made his name as a deadly striker for Borussia Mönchengladbach. He won four Bundesliga titles in the 1970s and also twice claimed the Torjägerkanone.

3. Klaus Fischer – 268 Goals

Klaus Fischer’s remarkable longevity saw him net 268 goals over 535 appearances, the most among players with over 500 games. Known for his iconic overhead kicks, he scored consistently for nearly two decades and shone brightest at Schalke.

2. Robert Lewandowski – 312 Goals

Robert Lewandowski broke long-standing records and brought modern excellence to the Bundesliga, scoring 312 goals in just 384 matches. He surpassed Gerd Müller’s single-season record with 41 goals in 2020/21 and won five consecutive top scorer awards.

1. Gerd Müller – 365 Goals

Gerd Müller stands alone at the summit of Bundesliga history with an astonishing 365 goals in 427 matches. Known as "Der Bomber," he scored at an unmatched rate and claimed five top scorer titles, including a 40-goal season that stood for nearly 50 years.