Being among the finest is no easy accomplishment. It calls for an unyielding spirit, continual devotion, and dedication. The athletes on this list stand for this philosophy since they have worked hard to perform at their peak for their country. Some of the most lethal and well-known strikers in the history of international football are included on the list of top scorers, along with a few less well-known but equally effective attackers. With a hat trick against Ireland on September 2, Cristiano Ronaldo broke Ali Daei’s record of 109 goals in international play. Ronaldo already held the top spot on the list of all active international football scores. Ronaldo now holds the record for most goals scored in a single international game with his brace. Find the list of the top 10 international football goal scorers of all time.
10. Robert Lewandowski (Poland) – 77 goals
Robert Lewandowski, who made his international debut for Poland on September 10, 2008, against San Marino, has now surpassed all previous goal scorers for the country. On October 5, 2017, he broke Wlodzimierz Lubanski’s previous record (48 goals) with a hat-trick against Armenia. In a 2-0 victory against Saudi Arabia during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Lewandowski scored his first World Cup goal. His goal gave Poland’s national team the victory. He had not scored at the 2014 World Cup, thus it also put an end to his scoring drought.
9. Hussein Saeed (Iraq) – 78 goals
Hussein Saeed scored his first goal for his country of Iraq just eight minutes into his first competitive game. The 1977 Merdeka Cup match saw the goal scored against Indonesia. After scoring 77 goals, the Al-Talaba striker retired as a national hero, leaving a distinct mark on the country’s footballing landscape. One of the greatest Iraqi football players of the 20th century is regarded as Saeed. He helped Iraq win two Arabian Gulf Cups and a gold medal in the Asian Games.
8. Godfrey Chitalu (Zambia) – 79 goals
Godfrey Chitalu, widely regarded as Zambia’s all-time finest player, commanded respect throughout the continent of Africa. The attacker for the Kabwe Warriors appeared to score whenever he wanted for his country, scoring 79 goals in just 111 games. Five times throughout his career, he was selected the Zambian Footballer of the Year due to his achievements on the pitch.In a 1968 friendly match against Uganda, he scored his first two goals for his country. The game ended in a 2-2 tie. His 79th and last goal for Zambia was scored in a 1980 Jamhuri Cup match against Kenya.
7. Ali Mabkhout (UAE) – 80 goals
Ali Mabkhout, one of the two active players on the list, is a top marksman for the UAE. He has made many appearances for the Whites since making his debut in 2009 against the Czech Republic. He has 94 appearances under his belt for the UAE national team. The Al-Jazira hero has scored 77 goals for his nation, including a fantastic 19 goals in 2019. In the World Cup Qualifiers, he most recently scored three goals in as many games for UAE, scoring twice against Indonesia and once each against Vietnam and India.
6. Ferenc Puskas (Hungary) – 84 goals
Puskas, the most well-known Hungarian football player on this list, is most recognized for his time spent playing for Real Madrid. With 84 goals in just 85 games, the attacker was also a key player for Hungary. He guided his squad to a gold medal at the Summer Olympics and a silver medal in the 1954 World Cup. The legendary Hungarian player, who is now ranked fourth on the list of all-time leading scorers in international football, was also given the Golden Ball for his outstanding performance in the 1954 tournament.
Between 1972 and 1985, Supermokh, as he is popularly called, dominated Malaysian football as a vicious goal scorer. Dahari, who was named the finest Asian forward at the age of just 23, had an illustrious career that included helping the Malaysian team win a bronze medal at the 1974 Asian Games.
5. Mokhtar Dahari (Malaysia) – 89 goals
In 1977, he also guided them to their highest position of 61. Dahari made his international debut at the age of 19, and in 142 games, he scored an astounding 89 goals for his country. Mokhtar, a tremendous fan favorite, had a significant role in the sport’s popularity among young people in Malaysia.
4. Sunil Chhetri (India) – 90 goals
Sunil Chhetri, India’s record goal scorer, appearance maker, and captain, ranks among the top four current footballers in the world for goals scored. Chhetri, who is 37 years old, has taken on the responsibility of leading India to back-to-back AFC Asian Cup finals with goals against Cambodia, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong in Kolkata’s AFC Asian Cup 2023 Qualifiers. It only appears to be a matter of time before Chhetri climbs higher on our list, since he is ageing like excellent wine. In the SAFF Championship 2023 against Pakistan, Chhetri displayed his extraordinary talent and talents by netting a spectacular hat-trick, bringing his total to an already outstanding 90 goals.
3. Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 103 goals
The renowned Argentine footballer Lionel Messi has established himself as one of the game’s most prolific goal scorers ever. He is third in international football history with 103 goals. Messi has enthralled fans all around the world with his incredible skills, accuracy, and technique. He routinely scores goals with his mesmerizing dribbles, breakneck speed, and lethal precision. Messi’s goal-scoring prowess has not only helped Argentina to many triumphs, but it has also cemented his place among the all-time greats of football. Messi also added to his illustrious history in international football by winning the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, which was the peak of triumph. He will surely rise up the list of international football goal scorers of all time.
2. Ali Daei (Iran) – 109 goals
The player Ronaldo was pursuing was popularly known as Ali Daei among the current generation of supporters. At one point, the Iranian’s 109 goals appeared insurmountable. He began his career in 1993 in a Tehran-hosted ECO Cup match, where he remained for 13 years. The legendary feat was accomplished by the former Bayern Munich great in just 149 games, during which time he led the group to an Asian Games gold medal in 1998.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) -123
With 123 goals scored on the international stage, Cristiano Ronaldo has already surpassed all other scorers in the history of the game. In a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Ireland, the Portuguese sensation scored twice to break Ali Daei’s mark of 11 goals for his country and take the record home. Since then, the five-time Ballon d’Or champion has increased his total.
It is impossible to imagine how the Portuguese have affected the game. Fans of football have seen his signature celebration a lot. In forthcoming matches for Portugal, the nation’s talisman will try to extend Portugal’s advantage at the top of the list of all-time leading international scorers. One of the best players to ever play the game has added becoming the all-time leading goal scorer in men’s international football to his list of accomplishments. Additionally, the Manchester United forward holds the record for most goals scored in football history and is ahead in the list of international football goal scorers.
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