List of footballers with 500 or more goals
In top-level association football competitions, 25 players have scored 500 or more goals in both club and international football, according to research by the IFFHS,[1] first published in 2007.[2] Taking into account competitions of all levels, 77 players have reached the milestone, according to research by the RSSSF,[3] an organisation described by German newspaper Der Spiegel as a "Wikipedia of football statistics".[4] Hungarian Imre Schlosser was the first to reach the 500-goal mark, doing so in 1927 shortly before his retirement.[5] Nine players have accomplished the feat at a single club: Josef Bican (Slavia Prague), Jimmy Jones (Glenavon), Jimmy McGrory (Celtic), Joe Bambrick (Linfield), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gerd Müller (Bayern Munich), Pelé (Santos), Fernando Peyroteo (Sporting CP), and Uwe Seeler (Hamburg).[6] Of these nine, Messi scored the most, with 672 goals between his debut in 2004 and his departure in 2021.[7]
FIFA, the international governing body of football, has never released a list detailing the highest goalscorers and does not keep official records;[8][9] in 2020, it recognised Bican, an Austrian-Czech dual international who played between the 1930s and the 1950s,[10] as the record scorer with an estimated 805 goals,[11][12] although CNN, the BBC, France 24, and O Jogo all acknowledge that Bican's tally includes goals scored for reserve teams and in unofficial international matches.[9][13][14][15] UEFA, the governing body for European football, ranks him as the leading all-time goalscorer in European top-flight leagues with 518 goals, narrowly ahead of Hungarian Ferenc Puskás.[16] RSSSF credits Bican with 948 goals, a tally which includes goals scored in winter tournaments, as well as when selected to represent regional and city teams,[17] and the Football Association of the Czech Republic claims a total of 821.[18][19] Spanish newspapers Marca and Sport state that both Bican and Pelé scored 762 goals.[20][21] It is difficult for statisticians and media outlets to determine which goals to include;[22][23] Bican once walked out of a gala held in his honour by the IFFHS after the organisation had excluded war-time goals from his tally, although it later recognised the 229 goals he had scored during the period.[24]
Media outlets around the world such as Sky Sports, ESPN, and Globo Esporte argue that, for Brazilian forward Pelé and players of his era, friendly matches were highly important fixtures and held more resonance, and the tallies accumulated should be included,[25][26][27] while journalist Hugh McIlvanney once described them as mere "profit-making excursions" that bore little "relevance to Pelé's reality as a great player",[28] and Jonathan Liew stated that many of the friendlies were "against up-country teams or down-at-heel invitational sides".[29] When Argentinian forward Messi was reported to have broken the record for most goals for a single club (644 for Spanish club Barcelona), Pelé's former club Santos denied the claim, releasing a statement saying 448 of Pelé's goals scored in friendlies had been uncounted,[30] and arguing that many of the goals came against "the best teams of all time",[31] statements Pelé agreed with by publicly changing his overall tally to 1,283 on Instagram.[32] When reporting the statistics of Messi, Barcelona argued that because Bican and Pelé, as well as Erwin Helmchen and Abe Lenstra, scored the majority of their goals in leagues which were not played at a national level, their tallies should not be counted,[33] while goals scored during war-time matches, in lower-tiers, and regional divisions, by players such as Bican, Ferenc Deák, Puskás, Seeler, Müller, Túlio Maravilha, and Robert Lewandowski, are also questioned.[34]
In 2021, Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo was reported to have broken the record when he scored his 760th goal,[35][36][37] although it was widely acknowledged it was impossible to quantify with certainty as statistics from previous generations are often disputed,[19][38][39][40][41][42] as highlighted by football journalist Jonathan Wilson and Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport's editor Ivan Zazzaroni, who recognised the possibility that German striker Helmchen had scored 981 goals.[17][43] Ronaldo himself addressed the issue, saying that "the world has changed since then and football has changed as well, but this doesn't mean that we can just erase history according to our interests".[44] There are other claims to the record; Guinness World Records credits Pelé as the scorer of the "most career goals", with 1,279,[45] and Brazilian striker Romário celebrated scoring what he claimed was his 1,000th goal in 2007 but later admitted his tally included friendly matches;[46] they are reported to have scored 767 and 772 goals, respectively,[19][47][48][49][50] with Pelé's total including one goal for the military team and nine goals for the state team of São Paulo at the State Team Championship.[51][52] The Encyclopædia Britannica notes that Brazilian Arthur Friedenreich is "officially recognised" by FIFA to have scored 1,329 goals,[53] although there is little evidence for this claim.[45][54] In March 2022, Ronaldo surpassed Bican's estimated tally of 805.[55][56]
List
This section needs additional citations for verification. (September 2021) |
According to the IFFHS and other media outlets, 25 players are credited with scoring 500 or more goals in top-level professional football competitions:
- As of 7 December 2024.[1]
- Bold indicates players currently active.
- * indicates player has scored at least 500 goals for a single club.[57][58]
Rank | Player | Club | Country and other | Total | Career span | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
League | Cup | Continental | |||||
1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 557[a] | 56 | 168 | 135 | 916[63] | 2002–present |
2 | Lionel Messi* | 518[b] | 71 | 149 | 112 | 850[68] | 2004–present |
3 | Pelé* | 604[c] | 49 | 26 | 83 | 762 | 1957–1977 |
4 | Romário | 545[d] | 93 | 54 | 64 | 756 | 1985–2007 |
5 | Ferenc Puskás | 516[e] | 69 | 56 | 84 | 725 | 1943–1966 |
6 | Josef Bican* | 515[f] | 137 | 38 | 32 | 722 | 1931–1955 |
7 | Robert Lewandowski | 402[g] | 57 | 111 | 84 | 654[73] | 2008–present |
8 | Jimmy Jones* | 330[h] | 286 | 14 | 9 | 639 | 1947–1964 |
9 | Gerd Müller* | 405[i] | 92 | 69 | 68 | 634 | 1964–1981 |
10 | Joe Bambrick* | 347[j] | 253 | 5 | 21 | 626 | 1926–1943 |
11 | Abe Lenstra | 573[k] | 18 | 0 | 33 | 624 | 1936–1963 |
12 | Luis Suárez | 409[l] | 48 | 57 | 69 | 583[78] | 2005–present |
13 | Eusébio | 381[m] | 97 | 59 | 41 | 578 | 1960–1978 |
14 | Glenn Ferguson | 313[n] | 241 | 9 | 0 | 563 | 1987–2011 |
15 | Zlatan Ibrahimović | 394[o] | 48 | 57 | 62 | 561 | 1999–2023 |
16 | Imre Schlosser | 413[p] | 68 | 13 | 59 | 553 | 1906–1928 |
17 | Fernando Peyroteo* | 464[q] | 72 | 3 | 14 | 553 | 1937–1949 |
18 | Uwe Seeler* | 447[r] | 41 | 21 | 43 | 552 | 1954–1978 |
19 | Jimmy McGrory* | 407[s] | 131 | 0 | 12 | 550 | 1923–1937 |
20 | Alfredo Di Stéfano | 378[t] | 54 | 76 | 29 | 537 | 1945–1966 |
21 | György Sárosi | 350[u] | 35 | 103 | 42 | 530 | 1931–1948 |
22 | Roberto Dinamite | 476[v] | 10 | 5 | 22 | 513 | 1971–1992 |
23 | Hugo Sánchez | 390[w] | 49 | 38 | 30 | 507 | 1976–1997 |
24 | Franz Binder | 297[x] | 93 | 87 | 26 | 503 | 1930–1949 |
25 | Zico | 410[x] | 27 | 16 | 48 | 501 | 1971–1994 |
RSSSF statistics
As the RSSSF uses different methodology from that of the IFFHS and other media outlets to determine which goals to include,[79] 77 players are credited with scoring 500 or more goals in matches taking into account competitions at all levels:
- As of 14 July 2024.[3]
- Bold indicates players currently active.
- + indicates player may have scored and played more.
Rank | Player | Goals | Matches | Ratio | Career span |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Erwin Helmchen | 989+ | 582 | 1.7 | 1924–1951 |
2 | Josef Bican | 950+ | 624 | 1.52 | 1930–1957 |
3 | Ronnie Rooke | 934+ | 1030 | 0.91 | 1929–1961 |
4 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 913 | 1267 | 0.72 | 2002–present |
5 | Lionel Messi | 867 | 1126 | 0.77 | 2003–present |
6 | Jimmy Jones | 840+ | 756 | 1.11 | 1944–1965 |
7 | Ferenc Puskás | 802 | 792 | 1.01 | 1943–1967 |
8 | Ferenc Deák | 796+ | 515 | 1.55 | 1939–1959 |
9 | Abe Lenstra | 789+ | 850 | 0.93 | 1936–1964 |
10 | Romário | 785 | 1003 | 0.78 | 1984–2009 |
11 | Pelé | 778 | 851 | 0.91 | 1956–1977 |
12 | Tommy Lawton | 743+ | 827 | 0.9 | 1935–1957 |
13 | Gerd Müller | 735 | 793 | 0.93 | 1963–1981 |
14 | Sammy Hughes | 722+ | 752 | 0.96 | 1943–1963 |
15 | Joe Bambrick | 690+ | 578 | 1.19 | 1925–1943 |
16 | Robert Lewandowski | 685 | 997 | 0.69 | 2004–present |
17 | Ernst Wilimowski | 683+ | 484 | 1.41 | 1932–1957 |
18 | Tom Waring | 670+ | 700+ | 0.96 | 1924–1948 |
19 | Ferenc Bene | 635 | 971 | 0.65 | 1959–1985 |
20 | Eusébio | 634+ | 663 | 0.96 | 1960–1978 |
21 | Joe Smith | 616+ | 903 | 0.68 | 1908–1931 |
22 | Boy Martin | 612+ | 527 | 1.16 | 1930–1947 |
23 | Gyula Zsengellér | 611+ | 649 | 0.94 | 1931–1953 |
24 | Stan Mortensen | 610+ | 812 | 0.75 | 1938–1962 |
25 | Frederick Roberts | 608+ | 468 | 1.3 | 1922–1937 |
26 | Fernando Peyroteo | 598 | 369 | 1.62 | 1937–1949 |
27 | Jimmy Greaves | 590+ | 842 | 0.7 | 1956–1980 |
28 | Uwe Seeler | 586 | 688 | 0.85 | 1954–1972 |
29 | Fritz Walter | 586+ | 583 | 1.01 | 1938–1959 |
30 | Túlio Maravilha | 585 | 950+ | 0.62 | 1987–2014 |
31 | Zlatan Ibrahimović | 582 | 1001 | 0.58 | 1999–2023 |
32 | Luis Suárez | 578 | 974 | 0.59 | 2005–present |
33 | Jimmy Kelly | 571+ | 1000 | 0.57 | 1925–1957 |
34 | Imre Schlosser | 570 | 464 | 1.23 | 1906–1928 |
35 | Glenn Ferguson | 569 | 1084 | 0.52 | 1987–2011 |
36 | Franz Binder | 569+ | 431 | 1.32 | 1927–1949 |
37 | Dixie Dean | 568 | 612 | 0.93 | 1923–1940 |
38 | Charlie Fleming | 568 | 765+ | 0.74 | 1947–1965 |
39 | Hughie Gallacher | 567+ | 716 | 0.79 | 1920–1940 |
40 | John Aldridge | 565+ | 990 | 0.57 | 1976–1998 |
41 | Hugo Sánchez | 562 | 956 | 0.59 | 1974–1998 |
42 | José Torres | 561 | 615 | 0.91 | 1958–1980 |
43 | Jimmy McGrory | 558 | 549 | 1.02 | 1922–1938 |
44 | Sándor Kocsis | 556 | 537 | 1.04 | 1946–1966 |
45 | Isidro Lángara | 556+ | 445 | 1.25 | 1930–1948 |
46 | Paul Dechamps | 552+ | 608 | 0.91 | 1939–1964 |
47 | David Wilson | 551+ | 605 | 0.91 | 1927–1947 |
48 | Dave Halliday | 548+ | 641 | 0.85 | 1920–1938 |
49 | Tommy Dickson | 546+ | 782 | 0.7 | 1946–1966 |
50 | Zico | 546 | 798 | 0.68 | 1971–1994 |
51 | Ferenc Szusza | 544 | 600 | 0.91 | 1940–1961 |
52 | Jock Dodds | 542 | 612 | 0.89 | 1932–1950 |
53 | József Takács | 542 | 528 | 1.03 | 1920–1942 |
54 | Jimmy Smith | 540+ | 516 | 1.05 | 1928–1947 |
55 | Hughie Ferguson | 528+ | 559 | 0.94 | 1914–1930 |
56 | Alfredo Di Stéfano | 524 | 720 | 0.73 | 1945–1966 |
57 | Nándor Hidegkuti | 523 | 674 | 0.78 | 1938–1958 |
58 | Des Dickson | 523+ | 716 | 0.73 | 1964–1983 |
59 | Dennis Westcott | 522+ | 575 | 0.91 | 1933–1954 |
60 | Roberto Dinamite | 519 | 869 | 0.6 | 1971–1992 |
61 | Hans Krankl | 518 | 725 | 0.71 | 1970–1989 |
62 | Joseph Mermans | 518 | 644 | 0.8 | 1937–1960 |
63 | Gunnar Nordahl | 514+ | 597 | 0.86 | 1936–1961 |
64 | Giorgio Chinaglia | 512+ | 707 | 0.72 | 1962–1990 |
65 | Trevor Thompson | 512+ | 589 | 0.87 | 1955–1969 |
66 | David McLean | 511+ | 801 | 0.64 | 1906–1931 |
67 | György Sárosi | 511 | 607 | 0.84 | 1929–1948 |
68 | Karim Benzema | 508 | 982 | 0.52 | 2004–present |
69 | István Avar | 507+ | 449 | 1.13 | 1922–1949 |
70 | Willy van der Kuijlen | 504 | 807 | 0.62 | 1962–1983 |
71 | Roger Milla | 504+ | 907 | 0.56 | 1968–1996 |
72 | Steve Bloomer | 504 | 755 | 0.67 | 1891–1920 |
73 | Albert de Cleyn | 503 | 588 | 0.86 | 1933–1955 |
74 | George Camsell | 503+ | 590 | 0.85 | 1923–1942 |
75 | Dennis Guy | 503+ | 630 | 0.8 | 1960–1976 |
76 | Arthur Rowley | 502+ | 729 | 0.69 | 1941–1967 |
77 | Lajos Tichy | 500 | 628 | 0.8 | 1952–1971 |
By confederation
- As of 7 December 2024.[1]
Confederation | Countries | Players |
---|---|---|
UEFA | 9 | 17 |
CONMEBOL | 3 | 7 |
CONCACAF | 1 | 1 |
AFC | 0 | 0 |
CAF | 0 | 0 |
OFC | 0 | 0 |
Total | 13 | 25 |
RSSSF statistics
- As of 14 July 2024.[3]
Confederation | Countries | Players |
---|---|---|
UEFA | 16 | 68 |
CONMEBOL | 3 | 7 |
CAF | 1 | 1 |
CONCACAF | 1 | 1 |
AFC | 0 | 0 |
OFC | 0 | 0 |
Total | 21 | 77 |
See also
- List of top international men's football goalscorers by country
- List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
- List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals
- List of men's footballers with the most official appearances
- List of footballers who achieved hat-trick records
- List of world association football records
- List of goalscoring goalkeepers
- Lists of hat-tricks in football
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- ^ Robert Lewandowski references:[69][70][71][72]
- ^ "Luis Suárez". footballdatabase.eu. Sport360°. Archived from the original on 27 August 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ^ "Luis Suárez". playmakerstats.com. ZOS Ltd. Archived from the original on 27 August 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ^ "L. Suárez". Soccerway. Stats Perform. Archived from the original on 27 August 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ^ "Luis Suárez". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. 31 December 2022. Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ^ Luis Suárez references:[74][75][76][77]
- ^ Zazzaroni, Ivan (4 February 2021). "Ecco perché Cristiano Ronaldo ha già superato Pelé" [That's why Cristiano Ronaldo has already surpassed Pelé]. Corriere dello Sport – Stadio (in Italian). Archived from the original on 14 July 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
Notes
- ^ Played club football for Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al Nassr.
- ^ Played club football for Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Miami.
- ^ Played club football for Santos and New York Cosmos.
- ^ Played club football for Vasco da Gama, PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Flamengo, Valencia, Fluminense, Al Sadd, Miami, Adelaide United, and America.
- ^ Played club football for Budapest Honved and Real Madrid.
- ^ Played club football for Rapid Vienna, Admira Vienna, Slavia Prague, FC Vítkovice, FC Hradec Králové, Dynamo Prague, Slovan Liberec, and Spartak Brno ZJŠ.
- ^ Played club football for Lech Poznań, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona.
- ^ Played club football for Belfast Celtic, Glenavon, Portadown, and Bangor.
- ^ Played club football for Bayern Munich and Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
- ^ Played club football for Glentoran, Linfield, Chelsea, and Walsall.
- ^ Played club football for Heerenveen, SC Enschede, and Enschedese Boys.
- ^ Played club football for Nacional, Groningen, Ajax, Liverpool, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Grêmio, and Inter Miami.
- ^ Played club football for Sporting Lourenço Marques, Benfica, Boston Minutemen, Monterrey, Toronto Metros-Croatia, Beira-Mar, Las Vegas Quicksilvers, União de Tomar, and New Jersey Americans.
- ^ Played club football for Ards, Glenavon, Linfield, and Lisburn Distillery.
- ^ Played club football for Malmö FF, Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and LA Galaxy.
- ^ Played club football for Ferencvárosi, MTK Hungária, Wiener AC, and Budai 33.
- ^ Played club football for Sporting CP.
- ^ Played club football for Hamburger SV and Cork Celtic.
- ^ Played club football for Celtic and Clydebank.
- ^ Played club football for River Plate, Huracán, Millonarios, Real Madrid, and Espanyol.
- ^ Played club football for Ferencvárosi.
- ^ Played club football for Vasco da Gama, Barcelona, Portuguesa, and Campo Grande.
- ^ Played club football for UNAM, San Diego Sockers, Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid, América, Rayo Vallecano, Atlante, Linz, Dallas Burn, and Atlético Celaya.
- ^ a b Played club football for Rapid Vienna. Cite error: The named reference "Binder" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).