Scoring for your country is every footballer’s dream, and only a few players have turned it into a long-lasting legacy. At the top of the men’s all-time international goal scorers list stands Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese legend with 141 goals in 223 matches since his debut in 2003. Ronaldo also holds the record for the most international hat-tricks (10), cementing his place as the greatest international scorer of all time.
His long-time rival Lionel Messi is second with 114 goals in 194 appearances for Argentina, continuing their era-defining battle for supremacy. Historic legends also feature on the list, such as Ali Daei of Iran with 108 goals, Ferenc Puskas of Hungary who netted 84 goals in just 85 games, and Godfrey Chitalu of Zambia with 79.
India’s Sunil Chhetri, with 95 goals in 155 matches, ranks fourth and continues to prove that greatness in football is not limited to traditional powerhouses. Other modern-day stars like Romelu Lukaku (Belgium, 89 goals), Robert Lewandowski (Poland, 86 goals), and Ali Mabkhout (UAE, 85 goals) underline how the goal-scoring charts are spread across continents.
Top 10 Men’s International Goal Scorers
| Rank | Player | Country | Goals | Appearances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 141 | 223 |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | 114 | 194 |
| 3 | Ali Daei | Iran | 108 | 148 |
| 4 | Sunil Chhetri | India | 95 | 155 |
| 5 | Mokhtar Dahari | Malaysia | 89 | 142 |
| 6 | Romelu Lukaku | Belgium | 89 | 124 |
| 7 | Robert Lewandowski | Poland | 86 | 160 |
| 8 | Ali Mabkhout | UAE | 85 | 115 |
| 9 | Ferenc Puskas | Hungary | 84 | 85 |
| 10 | Godfrey Chitalu | Zambia | 79 | 111 |
Women’s International Football
When it comes to women’s international football, the scoring feats are even more astonishing. Every player in the women’s top 10 has crossed the 100-goal mark, something only three male players have managed.
Leading the way is Christine Sinclair of Canada, the all-time top scorer in football history, men’s or women’s, with 190 goals in 331 matches. She guided Canada to their first Olympic gold in Tokyo and remains an inspiration worldwide. Close behind is Abby Wambach of USA with 184 goals, followed by another American legend, Mia Hamm, with 158.
The list is dominated by North American players such as Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan, and Kristine Lilly, but also features global icons like Marta of Brazil and Birgit Prinz of Germany, showcasing the worldwide talent in the women’s game.
Top 10 Women’s International Goal Scorers
| Rank | Player | Country | Goals | Appearances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christine Sinclair | Canada | 190 | 331 |
| 2 | Abby Wambach | USA | 184 | 256 |
| 3 | Mia Hamm | USA | 158 | 276 |
| 4 | Maysa Jbarah | Jordan | 137 | 133 |
| 5 | Carli Lloyd | USA | 134 | 316 |
| 6 | Kristine Lilly | USA | 130 | 354 |
| 7 | Birgit Prinz | Germany | 128 | 214 |
| 8 | Alex Morgan | USA | 123 | 224 |
| 9 | Marta | Brazil | 119 | 204 |
| 10 | Julie Fleeting | Scotland | 116 | 121 |
Interesting