Apart from Europe, South America also has a rich history in international football. Here, we are talking about the top 10 most international goal scorers for any South American national team.
While South American countries have achieved many successes in international football history, including the record of most FIFA World Cup trophies by a nation (Brazil won five WC trophies), they have introduced many talented footballers that the world has always remembered.
Here we have come up with another dominance list in South American football.
Top 10 most international goal scorers for any South American national team
10. Alexis Sanchez (Chile): 48 goals in 148 matches
Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez is the all-time leading appearance holder and all-time leading goal scorer for the Chile national football team. In his 148 appearances for the national team since his debut in 2006, Sanchez scored 48 goals. During his period, Chile won Copa America 2015 and 2016 editions, and they also finished as the runners-up in the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017.
9. Zico (Brazil): 48 goals in 71 matches
Legendary Brazilian footballer Zico served for the Brazil national football team between 1976 and 1986. The attacking midfielder scored 48 goals in 71 matches of his international career.
8. Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina): 55 goals in 78 matches
The Argentine striker Gabriel Batistuta played for his national team from 1991 to 2022. In his 78 national team appearances, he scored 55 goals. He was a key member of his nation winning the 1991 and 1993 Copa Americas and 1992 FIFA Confederations Cups.
7. Romario (Brazil): 55 goals in 70 matches
Former Brazilian striker Romario was a star for his nation to win the 1994 FIFA World Cup. He also helped his nation to win the 1989 and 1997 Copa Americas and the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup. In his 70 appearances for the national team between 1987 and 2005, Romario scored 55 goals.
6. Edinson Cavani (Uruguay): 56 goals in 132 matches
Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani is one of the best players ever for his nation. Since his debut for La Celeste in 2008, Cavani has scored 56 goals. He was a member during his nation’s 2011 Copa America winning title.
5. Ronaldo (Brazil): 62 goals in 98 matches
Legendary Brazilian striker Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima was famously known as Ronaldo. During his international career between 1994 and 2011, he recorded 62 goals in 98 games for the national team. Ronaldo was a member of Brazil’s popular three consecutive FIFA World Cup finals (1994, 1998 and 2002), including winning the trophies in the 1994 and 2002 editions. He was previously holding the record for most goals in FIFA World Cup history with 15 goals. Later, the German striker Miroslav Klose broke that record with 16 goals in this competition history.
Ronaldo was also a key member of his team during their trophy-winning campaign in Copa America 1997 and 1999 and FIFA Confederations Cup 1997.
4. Luis Suarez (Uruguay): 68 goals in 132 matches
Luis Suarez is the all-time leading goal scorer for the Uruguay national football team with 68 goals in 132 games. The striker played a vital role in his nation to win their first international trophy in the 21st century – Copa America 2011.
3. Neymar (Brazil): 74 goals in 119 matches
Brazil football superstar is very near becoming the leading goal scorer for his nation in their all-time record book. Since his debut for the senior national team in 2010, Neymar has scored 74 goals in 119 matches. He was a vital player during Brazil’s victory in the FIFA Confederation Cup 2013.
2. Pele (Brazil): 77 goals in 92 matches
Legendary Brazilian footballer Pele is still the only player to win three FIFA World Cup titles (1958, 1962 and 1970). While he served for Brazil between 1957 and 1971, he still holds the record for most goals for the Brazil national football team with 77 goals in 92 appearances.
1. Lionel Messi (Argentina): 86 goals in 162 games
Argentine superstar Lionel Messi is not only holding the record of all-time leading goal scorer for his nation, but he is also the all-time leading goal scorer in international football as a male South American footballer. While Messi is still active in international football since his debut in 2005, he has already recorded 86 goals in 162 appearances for his national team.
Overall all-time international football history, Messi is currently the fourth most goal scorer. The FIFA World Cup 2014 runners-up Messi played an essential role in his nation to win the Copa America 2021.
Messi’s goals per game ratio is poor. His goal average is vastly inferior to that of Pele’s