The Top 10 Highest Goalscorers in Football of All Time

Some players are simply gifted with composure and skill in front of goal. These traits are valued immensely and can help players decide matches for their teams. Add longevity to the mix, and you have legendary goalscorers whose records stand the test of time.

Here are the top ten goal scorers of all time, according to the records held by FIFA. 

Let’s explore the list of Top 10 Highest Goalscorers in Football of All Time:

10. Tulio Maravilha, Brazil

575 goals (total number of games unknown) | 1988 to 2017. The Brazilian centre-forward spent the majority of his career in his native Brazil, with brief spells away. The forward played for almost thirty years before eventually hanging up his boots. 

9. Uwe Seeler, Germany

575+ goals (total number of games unknown) | 1953 to 1978. Seeler spent almost his entire career with Hamburg, over 18 years. He had a brief spell in Ireland before he retired as one of the top goalscorers of all-time. 

8. Ferenc Deak, Hungary

576+ goals (total number of games unknown) | 1940 to 1957. Deak spent his entire career in his home country of Hungary, playing for Budapest, Ferencvaros, Siofok, and Ujpesti Dozsa. He also earned 20 caps for the national team during his career. 

7. Gerd Muller, Germany

734 goals in 793 games | 1962 to 1981. The Bomber was one of the most prolific German footballers in history. He is the top scorer of all time when it comes to Germany and has left an unmatchable mark on the history of the sport. 

6. Ferenc Puskas, Hungary

746+ goals in 754+ games | 1943 to 1966. The Hungarian now has an award named after him. Naturally, he makes it onto the list of the top ten goalscorers of all time. The Real Madrid legend is still considered among the best forwards in history. 

5. Pele, Brazil

757 goals in 831 games | 1957 to 1977. The Brazilian icon featured for Santos throughout his career. As a result, he held the record for the most goals scored for a single club until Messi surpassed him. 

4. Lionel Messi, Argentina

838 goals in 1069 games | 2003 to present. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is widely considered to be the greatest player to ever lace up a pair of boots. His natural ability to score, as well as create chances for his teammates makes him one of the most complete attacking midfielders of all time. 

3. Romario, Brazil

772 goals 994 games – 1985 to 2007. The Brazilian came through the ranks with Vasco da Gama and went on to play for clubs like Barcelona, PSV Eindhoven and Valencia in Europe whilst featuring for several outfits in his native country. 

2. Josef Bican, Czech Republic

805+ goals in 530+ games | 1931 to 1956. Josef Bican previously held the record for the most number of goals in professional football until he was surpassed by Cristiano Ronaldo. He predominantly featured in Austria and the Czech Republic for his club career. 

1. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal

898 goals in 1,234 games – from 2001 to the present. Ronaldo is presented on most top goalscorers of all-time lists, with the Portuguese now having the most goals in professional football alongside the most goals in the Champions League as well as international football. 

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