The all-time highest goalscorers list features Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the top two spots, as legendary striker Josef Bican has now been surpassed.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are approaching 40, yet they continue to score at an astonishing pace, fueling the ongoing GOAT debate…

Messi has solidified his status as a World Cup champion, having led Argentina to victory in Qatar in 2022, while former Manchester United forward Ronaldo remains adamant about his claim as the world’s best player.

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Both players remain remarkable figures in football, consistently finding the back of the net for Al Nassr and Inter Miami, respectively.

However, it is Ronaldo who currently leads the all-time scoring charts, with extraordinary achievements propelling both players past the legendary Josef Bican of Austria-Czech fame.

Ronaldo is the highest scorer recognized by FIFA, having celebrated his 900th goal for club and country against Croatia in the Nations League.

While Messi has also eclipsed numerous football legends, Ronaldo remains at the pinnacle of the scoring hierarchy.

So, who else features in the top ten highest goalscorers of all time?

10. Tulio Maravilha

575 goals (total games unknown) – 1988-2019

Maravilha was a Brazilian forward known for his scoring prowess.

He played nearly 40 different club teams throughout his career and achieved the most success at Botafogo, where he claimed the league’s Golden Boot three times.

In his 15 appearances for the Brazil national team, he scored 13 goals, maintaining a perfect match record.

9. Uwe Seeler

575+ goals (total games unknown) – 1953-1978

The prolific German forward made his mark at Hamburger, though his goal tally didn’t always convert into trophies.

Seeler played over 400 games at the club, where he later served a short stint as president.

He also played in four World Cups, famously captaining West Germany during the 1966 final against England.

Seeler passed away in July 2022, leaving a legacy celebrated across Germany.

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8. Ferenc Deak

576+ goals (total games unknown) – 1940-1957

A prominent figure in Hungary’s football history, Deak is less recognized internationally.

He astonishingly averaged over three goals per game at Szentlorinci AC, netting 358 goals in 186 games from 1940 to 1947.

His entire career was based in Hungary, where he amassed over 400 appearances across six clubs.

7. Gerd Muller

734 goals in 793 games – 1962-1981

Among his 68 international goals for West Germany, Muller’s most significant was the 1974 World Cup final winner against the Netherlands.

During an illustrious 15-year spell at Bayern Munich, he scored 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga appearances and 66 in 74 European matches.

His record of 40 goals in a single Bundesliga season stood for an impressive 49 years, finally surpassed by Robert Lewandowski in May 2021.

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6. Ferenc Puskas

746+ goals in 754+ games – 1943-1966

Puskas, another Hungarian great, is now synonymous with the award for the year’s most beautiful goal.

He carved out his reputation in Budapest before achieving legendary status at Real Madrid.

Puskas scored over 150 goals for Los Blancos while maintaining an almost goal-a-game average.

Two of his memorable goals were in Hungary’s famous 6-3 victory over England, later dubbed the ‘Match of the Century’ in 1953.

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5. Pele

757 goals in 831 games – 1957-1977

Pele, one of the all-time greats and a three-time World Cup champion, played for only two clubs throughout his illustrious career.

He scored nearly a goal a game for Santos, although he famously claimed to have achieved over 1,000 career goals.

However, it’s widely accepted that many of those were scored in friendlies or exhibitions. He passed away in 2022, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.

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4. Romario

772 goals in 994 games – 1985-2007

Romario led Brazil to World Cup victory in 1994, scoring five goals throughout the tournament.

His prolific career spanned multiple top clubs around the globe, featuring in over 700 matches.

At PSV, he thrived with an impressive 98 goals in just 110 matches.

Romario also found the net 55 times in 70 appearances for his country.

3. Josef Bican

805+ goals in 530+ games – 1931-1956

Bican is famous for scoring 395 goals in just 217 matches with Slavia Prague between 1937 and 1948.

He played for several clubs in Czechia and remains one of football’s all-time leading scorers, holding the title for more than 60 years until recently getting surpassed.

While reports suggest he scored close to 1,500 goals, FIFA recognizes about 805 of those.

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2. Lionel Messi

838 goals in 1,069 games – 2003-present

A true legend, Messi has amassed numerous trophies along with his goal tally, including a record eight Ballon d’Or awards.

Now playing for Inter Miami in the United States, he has several years left to enhance his remarkable goal count.

Messi scored seven goals during the World Cup in Qatar, including two pivotal goals in the penalty shootout victory over France in the final, which might well be the highlight of his career.

With over 650 goals for Barcelona and an additional 32 for PSG, the superstar continues to shine in the MLS and remains a vital player for Argentina, helping them triumph in the 2024 Copa America.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

900 goals in 1,236 games – 2001-present

A modern-day great recognized for his achievements with Portugal, Manchester United, and Real Madrid, Ronaldo continues to push boundaries.

He has made history by becoming the only player to score in five different World Cups, and he shows no signs of slowing down, dismissing retirement rumors.

Ronaldo recently penned a historic contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr worth £178 million a year, set to last until 2025.

He reached the milestone of 500 league goals at this club and holds over 200 international caps, a world record, all while netting 131 times for his national team.

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