The Players With The Most International Goals In Soccer History

This list for the players with the most international goals in the history of soccer stretches from players who played in the 1940s to the present day. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi score at an incredible rate for Portugal and Argentina, respectively, but there are those from history who boast an even more impressive rate of scoring.

The current world record for the most international goals is held by Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, who — according to the Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF) — has scored 122 goals in 198 appearances, a rate of 0.62 goals per game.

And Ronaldo, now age 37, plans to play through Euro 2024. Messi, two years younger than his rival, is also in the top three with 102 goals in 174 caps (0.59 per game). This list is for the men's game. Canada's Christine Sinclair is the women's all-time leader with 190 goals in 322 caps. 

And, if you like this list, check out our list for the players with the most career goals in soccer history. 

The players with the most international goals in soccer history:

#1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) — 122 goals from 198 matches (0.62 per match)

#2. Ali Daei (Iran) — 109 goals from 148 matches (0.74 per match)

#3. Lionel Messi (Argentina) — 102 goals from 174 matches (0.59 per match)

#4. Mokhtar Dahari (Malaysia) — 89 goals from 142 matches (0.62 per match)

#5. Sunil Chhetri (India) — 85 goals from 133 matches (0.64 per match)

#6. Ferenc Puskás (Hungary) — 84 goals from 89 matches (0.94 per match)

#7. Ali Mabkhout (UAE) — 80 goals from 109 matches (0.73 per match)

#8. Godfrey Chitalu (Zambia) — 79 goals from 111 matches (0.71 per match)

#9. Robert Lewandowski (Poland) — 78 goals from 140 matches (0.56 per match)

#9. Hussein Saeed (Iraq) — 78 goals from 137 matches (0.57 per match)

#11. Pelé (Brazil) — 77 goals from 92 matches (0.84 per match)

#11. Neymar (Brazil) - 77 goals from 124 matches (0.62 per match)

#13. Sándor Kocsis (Hungary) - 75 goals from 68 matches (1.1 per match)

#13. Kunishige Kamamoto (Japan) — 75 goals from 76 matches (0.99 per match)

#13. Bashar Abdullah (Kuwait) — 75 goals from 134 matches (0.56 per match)

#16. Majed Abdullah (Saudi Arabia) — 72 goals from 117 matches (0.61 per match) 

#17. Kinnah Phiri (Malawi) — 71 goals from 117 matches (0.61 per match)

#17. Kiatisuk Senamuang (Thailand) — 71 goals from 134 matches (0.53 per match)

#17. Miroslav Klose (Germany) — 71 goals from 137 matches (0.52 per match)