Top 15 All-Time Leading Goalscorers in Football History – 2025 Ranking

      Goals are the heartbeat of football — and these 15 men are the greatest heartbeat machines the game has ever known. As of November 25, 2025, here is the definitive, fully updated ranking of the 15 players with the most career goals in official senior competitive matches (club + international). From Cristiano Ronaldo’s superhuman 915+ tally to the forgotten legends of the past, these are the ultimate finishers who lived to put the ball in the net.

#15 – Romário (Brazil) – 772 goals

The ultimate fox-in-the-box. World Cup 1994 winner, 55 goals for Brazil, league titles in Netherlands, Spain, and Brazil. Romário’s official competitive tally is 772 in 994 games — a ratio of 0.78 goals per game. He claimed over 1,000 including friendlies, but even the “conservative” count makes him one of the deadliest finishers ever. His movement, composure, and ice-cold finishing in the box were unmatched.

#14 – Pelé (Brazil) – 778 goals

The original king. 3 World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970), 2 Copa Libertadores, 6 Brazilian titles. Pelé’s official tally is 778 in 846 games — though he famously claimed 1,281 including friendlies and exhibition matches. At 17 he was already the best player on the planet, scoring twice in the 1958 final. The first global football superstar.

#13 – Ferenc Puskás (Hungary/Spain) – 786 goals

The Galloping Major. 5 European Cups with Real Madrid, 10 Hungarian league titles, 84 goals in 85 caps for Hungary. 786 official goals in 779 games — a scoring rate of 1.01 per match. The greatest striker of the 1950s and the man who made the left-foot volley famous.

#12 – Jimmy Jones (Northern Ireland) – 790 goals

1950s–60s Belfast Celtic & Glenavon legend. 12 Irish league titles, 646 club goals in 613 games. A scoring rate of 1.05 per match in an era of mud, heavy balls, and brutal defending. One of the most prolific domestic scorers ever.

#11 – Uwe Seeler (Germany) – 792 goals

Hamburg one-club man for 23 years. 1966 World Cup finalist, 43 goals in 72 caps for West Germany. 575 club goals in 587 games — pure loyalty and lethal finishing. “Uns Uwe” was Germany’s heartbeat.

#10 – Eusébio (Portugal) – 803 goals

1965 Ballon d’Or, 11 Portuguese league titles, 41 goals in 64 caps for Portugal. Benfica’s Black Panther scored 733 club goals in 715 games — the most complete African striker of his era. His power, speed, and two-footed finishing terrorised Europe.

#9 – Josef Bican (Austria/Czechoslovakia) – 805+ goals

The pre-war goal machine. Officially 805+, some sources claim 821+. 805+ in 530 games — a scoring rate of 1.52 per match. The greatest striker before Pelé — and arguably the highest scorer ever when adjusted for era.

#8 – Gerd Müller (Germany) – 807 goals

“Der Bomber.” 1970 Ballon d’Or, 1974 World Cup winner, 68 goals in 62 caps for West Germany. 365 Bundesliga goals in 427 games — the most clinical finisher of the 1970s. His movement in the box was revolutionary.

#7 – Ferenc Deák (Hungary) – 810 goals

1940s Hungarian legend. 3× European Golden Boot winner, 576 goals in 394 games for Ferencváros alone. A scoring rate that defies belief — the forgotten king of the post-war era.

#6 – Tulio Maravilha (Brazil) – 812 goals

Brazilian journeyman who played for over 40 clubs. Official competitive tally 812 — claimed over 1,000 including friendlies. The ultimate goal poacher who kept scoring into his 40s.

#5 – Robert Lewandowski (Poland) – 850+ goals (still active)

11 league titles, Champions League 2020, still scoring 40+ a season at 37. 682 club goals + 84 international — on course to crack the top 3 before retirement. The most clinical finisher of the 21st century.

#4 – Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 862 goals (and counting)

8 Ballon d’Or, 10 La Liga, 4 Champions Leagues, World Cup 2022. 730 club goals + 112 international. The most complete attacker ever — and still adding at Inter Miami in 2025.

#3 – Josef Bican (Austria/Czechoslovakia) – 867+ goals

RSSSF credits 867 with all competitions. The greatest pre-war goalscorer — 805+ in 530 official games (1.52 per match). The record that stood for 70 years.

#2 – Tulio Maravilha (Brazil) – 812 goals

Brazilian journeyman with over 40 clubs. Official competitive total — the ultimate goal poacher who kept scoring into his 40s.

#1 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 915+ goals (and counting)

900 club goals + 135 international. 5 Ballon d’Or, 5 Champions Leagues, Euro 2016. At 40, still scoring 30+ per season for Al-Nassr. The greatest goal machine in history — and he’s not done yet.

Conclusion

From Bican’s pre-war dominance to Ronaldo’s superhuman longevity, these 15 men redefined what it means to be a goalscorer. Ronaldo is the king — but Messi and Lewandowski are still hunting. Who’s your greatest goalscorer ever? Drop your take in the comments — I reply to every one!

Disclaimer: Stats from RSSSF, Transfermarkt, and FIFA as of November 25, 2025. See our Privacy Policy for details.