In the club, players chase varied goal tallies, but on the national team stage the list stays tightly curated.
Football has evolved a lot over the decades. Today, tactics play a crucial role in finding the back of the net. Names like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are not only dominant for their clubs but also sit among the top scorers for their countries, cementing their places in the elite history of national-team scoring.
With that in mind, Goal presents the historical Top 10 list of footballers with the most goals at the international level.
10.- BASHAR ABDULLAH – 75 GOALS
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The former Kuwait forward reached 75 goals in 133 appearances, keeping him among the all‑time leaders at national level. His career largely unfolded with clubs in Asia, contributing to a prolific international record that endures in discussions of the sport’s greats.
9.- SANDOR KOCSIS – 75 GOALS
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The Hungarian legend had a notable stint with Barcelona, but his impact for Hungary solidified him as a benchmark. During the 1954 World Cup, he finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 11 goals, underscoring his place in football history.
8.- PELE, 77 GOALS
In 92 official caps for Brazil, O Rei tallied 77 goals. His enduring legacy includes three World Cups and a status as one of the sport’s greatest players, celebrated around the world for decades.
7.- HUSSEIN SAEED – 78 GOALS
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The Iraqi marksman reached 78 goals, briefly surpassing Pele in the all‑time list and a figure later matched by Lionel Messi in modern times.
6.- GODFREY CHITALU – 79 GOALS
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The Zambian forward was famed for his nose for goal, a streak that saw him net an astounding number of goals in both national and international play. His confidence in his own ability shone through as he spent his career representing Zambia and making an unmistakable impact on the global stage.
5.- KAMAMOTO – 80 GOALS
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The renowned Japanese forward reached this impressive tally in just 84 appearances, a feat many consider among the most striking in international football. While Kamamoto’s goals were prolific, not all of them translated into official titles with the Japanese side, a nuanced part of his enduring legacy.
4.- FERENC PUSKÁS – 84 GOALS
One of the greatest attackers in the history of the sport, the Hungarian icon established legendary status at Real Madrid and with Hungary, scoring 84 goals in 85 internationals. His precision and artistry left an indelible mark on the game.
3.- LIONEL MESSI – 93 GOALS
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With three goals against Bolivia in World Cup qualifying, the Argentine maestro surpassed Pele’s 77 and Hussein Saeed’s 78, reaching 93 and moving higher in the all‑time rankings. It’s only a matter of time before Messi climbs further as his legacy with Argentina continues to grow.
2.- ALI DAEI – 109 GOALS
A figure who remains relatively mysterious to many fans, the Iranian icon scored with remarkable consistency for Iran, holding the top spot for years until a later generation overtook him with goals he delivered in abundance.
1.- CRISTIANO RONALDO – 118 GOALS
Cristiano’s impact is vast. In Euro 2020 he matched Ali Daei’s tally, and soon after he added a double against Ireland to surpass the record, becoming the highest scorer in international football history. More goals continue to accumulate as his career with Portugal endures.
Here is the list, broken down, based on FIFA records.
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Note: All figures reflect official FIFA tallies and historical records maintained by football archives.