These are the greatest goal scorers of all time

Throughout the history of soccer, many strikers have fought to be the best scorers of their time. Since 1991, the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) has kept track of it all.

Throughout his career, from 2002 to the present, the Portuguese player has scored 819 goals in 1,141 official matches, a scoring average of 0.72 goals per game.

The Austro-Hungarian footballer, who played for SK Rapid and WSK Admira, in Austria; and for Slavia Prague, Vítkovické Železárny, and Dynamo Prague in Hungary has scored 805 goals in 530 games and has an impressive average of 1.52 goals per game.

The great adversary of Cristiano Ronaldo, considered by many to be the best striker in history, has achieved, since 2004, 787 goals in 997 games, with an average of 1.79 goals per game. Whether with Barcelona, PSG, or the Argentinian national team.

Brazilian footballer Pelé, one of the most prolific strikers of all time, scored 765 goals in 812 games between 1956 and 1977. He has an average of 0.94.

Another Brazilian, Romario played between 1985 and 2009 for Vasco da Gama, PSV Eindhoven, FC Barcelona, among others, as well as for the Brazil national team. He scored 753 goals in 963 games and has an average of 0.78.

The Spanish-Hungarian footballer played for two national teams, Hungary and Spain; and for local clubs such as Kispest FC, Budapest Honvéd FC, and Real Madrid. Between 1943 and 1967 he managed to score 741 goals in 746 games; a scoring average of 0.99 goals per game.

The German played for TSV Nördlingen and Bayern Munich in Germany and for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the United States. Between 1962 and 1983 he scored 735 goals in 793 games; an average of 0.93 goals.

Ireland's Abe Lenstra, who played between 1936 and 1963, he scored 645 goals in 650 games; a goalscoring average of 0.99.

Eusebio stood out at Benfica and Portugal, although he also played, from 1957 to 1979, for CD Maxaquene, Boston Minutemen, CF Monterrey, Toronto Blizzard, SC Beira-Mar, Las Vegas Quicksilvers, and the New Jersey Americans. Overall he scored 620 goals in 648 games; an average of 0.96.

Polish striker Lewandowski, who has been active since 2006, has scored 582 goals in 798 games; an average of 0.73. Now at FC Barcelona, he has gone through Delta Warsaw, Legia Warsaw, and Bayern Munich, among others.

Swedish player Ibrahimovic, has scored 572 goals in 982 games; an average of 0.58. Since 1999, he has played for Malmö FF, Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, FC Barcelona, AC Milan, PSG, Manchester United and Los Angeles Galaxy.

Ferguson played throughout his career (1987-2011) in the Irish teams of Glenavon, Linfield and Lisburn Distillery. Between these three clubs and the Ireland national team, He scored 563 goals in 1,047 appearances, with a goalscoring average of 0.54.

Portuguese footballer Fernando Peyroteo stood out for his 558 goals in 354 games and his incredible average of 1.58 goals per game.

Next on the list is Uwe Seeler who, between the German team and the teams of Hamburg and Cork Celtic FC, scored a total of 535 goals in 653 games (average of 0.82), between the years 1954 and 1978.

The 'one club man' Jimmy McGrory scored 528 goals in 522 games between Glasgow Celtic and the Scotland team (average of 1.01).

A beast of a striker in the list of modern scorers is the Uruguayan Luis Suárez, who has achieved, since 2005, between the national team and his clubs 528 goals in 881 games (0.60) and still counting!

The Spanish player Isidro Lángara achieved, between 1930 and 1948, the figure of 525 goals in 437 games; an a amazing average of 1.20.

Italian Di Stéfano scored 523 goals in 739 games (0.71) from 1945 to 1966, between Argentina, Spain, River Plata, Huracán, Millonarios, Real Madrid and Espanyol.

The powerful Brazilian striker played for Flamengo, Udinese and Kashima Antlers between 1971 and 1994. Playing for these clubs and the Brazil national team, he scored 523 goals overall in 773 official matches; an average of 0.68 goals per game.

This Mexican legend played for Real Madrid, Universidad Nacional, San Diego Sockers, Atlético de Madrid, América, Rayo Vallecano, Atlante, Linzer ASK, Dallas Burn and Atlético Celaya. In total, between 1976 and 1997 he scored 516 goals in 883 games (average 0.58).

Another of the great Hungarian scorers, he played for his country in Újpesti Dózsa, Volán FC, Sepsi-78, Soroksári VOSE and Kecskeméti SC. In those clubs and in the Hungarian team, he scored 508 goals in 493 games (average of 1.03).

This Brazilian striker played for Vasco da Gama, FC Barcelona, Associação Portuguesa and Campo Grande from 1971 to 1992. He scored 507 goals in 839 games (0.60 average). Pictured is a sculpture in the Vasco da Gama stadium as a tribute to his career in the club.

The first Belgian on the list played from 1937 to 1960 for Tubantia FAC, Anderlecht and Merksem SC. His goals there and with the Belgium national team amounted to 500 in 629 games, an average, in his case, of 0.79 goals per game.

The Swedish striker played in his country for Hörnefors Idrottsförening, Degerfors Idrottsförening and IFK Norrköping and in Italy for AC Milan. He scored a total of 498 goals in 548 games, an average of 0.91., between 1937 to 1958.

Star in the Netherlands and at FC Barcelona. During his time as a player (1964-1984) he also played for Ajax, and the Los Angeles Aztecs, among others, he achieved a total of 493 goals in 712 games (average of 0.69).

The list continues with Serbia´s Stjepan Bobek (480 goals in 554 games, average of 0.87); Hungarian Imre Schlosser (475 goals in 388 games, average of 1.22); and the Swede Henrik Larsson (pictured), who played from 1988 to 2010 scoring 471 goals in 874 games, (0.54).

The Englishman played from 1957 to 1979 for Chelsea, AC Milan, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham, as well as for the English national team. A total of 661 games in which he scored 466 goals, an average of 0.70 goals per game.

The Italian-Argentine Delio Onnis achieved, between 1966 and 1986, 461 goals in 709 games (0.65). He's followed by the Maldivian Ali Ashfaq (455 goals in 532 games and an average of 0.86). And the Hungarian Sándor Kocsis (pictured), 451 goals in 470 games from 1943 to 1965, an average of 0.96.

The Ecuadorian Alberto Spencer played in his country with the national team and with Everest and Barcelona, as well as in Uruguay with Peñarol. In that time (1953-1972) he scored 450 goals in 657 games; an average of 0.68.

Another Hungarian on the list is Gyula Zsengellér, who scored 448 goals in 433 games (1.03 average). And after him, there’s Brazilian Rivaldo (pictured), who scored 446 goals in 1,033 games (0.43) from 1989 to 2015.

Serbian striker who played from 1994 to 2014 for Szeged LC in his country and for several teams in Australia and Singapore. In his 20-year career, he scored 443 goals in 733 games, an average of 0.60 goals per game.

This English striker stood out, above all, for his long career at Everton, active between 1923 and 1940, and scored a total of 442 goals in 601 games: an average of 0.74.

Between 1994 and 2001, the Uruguayan footballer made himself a name through clubs such as Deportivo de La Coruña, Cruz Azul, América, and River Plate among many others. Overall, he scored 435 goals in 852 games (0.51 average).

Another Uruguayan on the list, who is still active at Valencia CF, is Edison Cavani. He has also played for Palermo, Napoli, PSG and Manchester United since 2005. He has scored a total of 434 goals in 785 games; an average of 0.55.

The great Real Madrid legend also played for Schalke 04 and Al-Sadd, as well as for the Spanish national team. In his career, from 1994 to 2015, he scored 432 goals in 1,034 games (0.42 average).

France's Karim Benzema is another legend of Real Madrid, after being transferred from Olympique de Lyon. Between these two clubs and the French national team, he has scored 432 goals in 862 games (average of 0.50).

Three teams have had Neymar Jr. in their ranks: Santos, FC Barcelona and PSG, with whom he has scored, also counting the Brazilian national team, 431 goals in 693 games. A scoring average of 0.62.

One of the most mythical Brazilian strikers. 'O Fenómeno' scored, between 1993 and 2011, 429 goals in 623 matches (0.69 average),

Between 2003 and 2021, Argentinian player Sergio Agüero played for Independiente, Atlético de Madrid, Manchester City and briefly for FC Barcelona, where he retired due to health problems. He scored 427 goals in 786 games, achieving a goalscoring average of 0.54.

One of the great strikers in the history of Spanish football, he played in his career (2000-2020) for Sporting de Gijón, Zaragoza, Valencia, FC Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid, Melbourne City FC, New York City FC and Vissel Kobe. He scored 427 goals in 826 games (0.52 average).

He scored 427 goals throughout his career (1997-2019), as well but while playing in 887 games (with an average of 0.48). And he did them with his team, Cameroon, and in other clubs such as Real Madrid, Chelsea and Everton, among others.

Austrian striker, Krankl played for Rapid Vienna, Wiener AC, FC Barcelona, First Vienna, Wiener SC, Kremser and Red Bull Salzburg, and the Austrian national team between 1970 and 1989. He scored a total of 425 goals in 587 games (0.72).

Great as a coach and also as a player. The Argentine striker played for Vélez Sarsfield, Stade Reims, PSG and Racing Strasbourg. Between the clubs and the Argentina national team, between 1967 and 1984, he scored 424 goals in 586 games (a goalscoring average of 0.72).

The Austro-Hungarian József Takacs scored a total of 418 goals in 388 games between 1917 and 1934 (average 1.08). After him, comes Scotsman Hughie Gallacher (pictured), who scored 416 goals in 567 games (0.73) between 1921 and 1939.

We could see the English striker between 1979 and 1998 in teams like Liverpool, Real Sociedad or Tranmere Rovers FC, where he retired after scoring 416 goals in 576 official matches, an average of 0.72 goals per game.

Another Scotsman who dedicated his career (1979-2001) to four clubs: St. Johnstone FC, Sunderland, Glasgow Rangers and Kilmarnock, plus the national Scotland team, he scored 412 goals in 816 games (0.50 average).

The Brazilian striker's career from 2003 to 2022 has taken him to clubs such as Cruzeiro, Olympique de Lyon, Fluminense and Atlético Mineiro. With the goals there and in the 'Canarinha' he added a total of 412 in 816 games (0.50 average).

Another Hungarian who sneaks into the list is Ferenc Szusza, who scored 411 goals in 486 games (0.85 average). Next is the Guatemalan Juan Carlos Plata who played his entire career in the CSD Municipal of his country and in his national team, and scored, between 1988 and 2011, 411 goals in 598 games (average of 0.69).

One of the best French strikers of recent times, he played for Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal, FC Barcelona and New York Red Bulls, as well as for the French national team from 1994 to 2014. Overall, he scored 411 goals in 917 games.

He started in his country, the Netherlands, with PSV Eindhoven, De Graafschap, SC Heerenveen and Ajax; and, later in Real Madrid, AC Milan and Schalke 04. During his career (2002-2020) he scored 409 goals in 741 games ( average of 0.55).

Brazilian Cabinho achieved, between 1969 and 1987, a total of 398 goals in 617 games, placing him just ahead of the Mexican striker Carlos Hermosillo, seen here, who scored 396 goals in 740 games.

The Brazilian played between 1998 and 2018 for Gremio, PSG, FC Barcelona, AC Milan, Flamengo, Atlético Mineiro, Querétaro FC and Fluminense, scoring 395 goals in 710 games; an average of 0.56.

Cameroonian legend and African footballer, he played between 1966 and 1996 for clubs in his country, Indonesia and in France for Bastia, Monaco, St. Étienne, and Montpellier. He scored a total of 393 goals in 734 games, with an average of 0.54.

Following Milla are the Bolivian Víctor Hugo Antelo (1980-2001) with 392 goals in 526 games; the Hungarian György Sárosi (1930-1948), with 391 goals in 444 games; and the German Fritz Walter (pictured) who scored, between 1937-1959, 390 goals in 425 games.

Born in Angola, but of Portuguese nationality, Águas played for Benfica and Austria Vienna and, throughout his career (1948-1964) managed to score 387 goals in 417 games, an average of 0.93 goals per game.

Belgian Albert De Cleyn, who played his entire career (1933-1955) for RKV Mechelen in his country, scored 386 goals in 500 games (0.77), being just above the legendary Dutch striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy (pictured): 394 goals in 658 games (0.58) between the years 1994 and 2012.

The English striker, who played for Southampton, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United, as well as being one of the all-time greatest for the England national team, achieved throughout his career (1986-2005) a total of 382 goals in 733 games (average 0.52).

Brazilian Luis Fabiano, who played between 1998 and 2017 for clubs such as Ponte Preta, Stade Rennes, São Paulo, Porto, Sevilla, Tianjin Quanjian and Vasco da Gama, scored a total of 381 goals in 723 games (0.53 average).

The Ukrainian striker is one of the best, if not the best footballer in the history of his country. Between 1994 and 2012 he went through Dynamo kyiv, AC Milan and Chelsea and scored 381 goals in 777 games; an average of 0.49.

An active footballer, before Inter Milan he went through FK Željezničar Sarajevo, Teplice, Wolfsburg, Manchester City and AS Roma. From 2003 until now, he has scored 380 goals in 846 games (0.45 average).

Brazilian Ricardo Oliveira has played for Atlético Mineiro, Portuguesa, Valencia, Milan, Zaragoza, Betis, São Paulo and Santos. With all of them and the Brazilian team, since 2000, he has scored 379 goals in 760 games (0.50).

The Belfast striker stood out for his career in the Northern Ireland team. Between 1926 to 1939, he scored a total of 376 goals in 310 games, no less than an average of 1.21 goals per game.

This footballer dedicated his career (1939-1957) to the Athletic Bilbao and the Spanish team. Overall, he managed to score 371 goals in the 413 official matches; a goalscoring average of 0.90.

Between 1972 and 1987, Platini played for French clubs Nancy, Saint-Étienne and Juventus, as well as the French national team. In those years, he scored a total of 371 goals in 620 games. An average of 0.60 goals per match.

The Ivorian striker played for EA Guingamp, Olympique de Marseille, Chelsea, Shanghai Shenhua, Galatasaray and Montreal Impact between 1997 and 2018. He scored -counting the Ivory Coast team- 370 goals in 805 games (0.46) .

After Drogba, there is the Chilean Osvaldo Castro (1965-1984), with 368 goals in 622 games (0.59); the Scotsman Hughie Ferguson (1916-1930), with 366 goals in 425 games (0.86); and, of course, the great Wayne Rooney (2002-2021), with 366 goals in 883 games (0.41).

The Argentinian has spent between 2005 and 2022 at River Plate, Real Madrid, Naples, Juventus, AC Milan, Chelsea and Inter Miami. A career that closed with 366 goals in 883 games and a goalscoring average of 0.41.

In addition to the Paraguayan national team, the striker scored 365 goals in the 576 games (0.63 average) that he played between 1986 and 2006 for Unión Pacífico, River Plate, St. Gallen, Universidad Católica, Olimpia, Toluca and San Lorenzo.

In his 22-year career (2000-2022), Chilean player Esteban Paredes scored 365 goals in 576 games; an average of 0.63 goals per game. He achieved it with the Chile National Team, Santiago Morning, Universidad de Concepción, and Pachuca, among others.

After Paredes, there’s Brazilian Arthur Friedenreich (1909-1935), who scored 364 goals in 346 games (1.05); and immediately after, Irish Robbie Keane (pictured): 364 goals in 596 games (0.61) with Ireland and teams like Coventry City, Inter Milan or Leeds, among others.

Still active, since 2003, he has scored 359 goals in 756 games, with an average of 0.47. Figures that he has reached with the Paraguayan national team and clubs like Nacional, Newell's Old Boys, Benfica, Trabzonspor, Olympiakos, and Libertad.

Argentinian Batistuta played between 1988-2005, going through Newell's Old Boys, River Plate, Boca Juniors, Fiorentina, AS Roma, Inter Milan, and Al-Arabi. Adding to his career with the Argentina national team, he scored 356 goals in 632 games, an average of 0.56 goals per game.

The Israeli striker, who remains active, has played for Hapoel Tel Aviv, Palermo, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Guangzhou, and PSV Eindhoven. Since he started his career, in 2006, he has scored 356 goals in 632 games (an average of 0.54).

The Netherlands has always been a good striker factory and Van Persie is a great example of that. 355 goals in 694 games (0.51 average) throughout his career (2002-2019).

The amazing Argentine goalscorer developed his career between 1972 and 1996, during which time he played for teams like Rosario Central, River Plate, Valencia, or Hércules and in which he scored 354 goals in 661 games, an average of 0.54.

Chilean-Mexican Suazo has gone through teams such as Colo-Colo, Monterrey or Real Zaragoza, among many others. Since his career started in 2000, he has scored 352 goals in 647 games, an average of 0.54 goals per game.

Next on the list of scorers would be Belgian Bernard Voorhoof (1927-1949), with 352 goals in 620 games (0.57). And behind him is the Welshman Ian Rush (pictured), who also scored 352 goals, although in 660 games (0.53) both in the national team and in Liverpool, Juventus, Leeds, Newcastle, and Sydney Olympic.

A Syrian striker, he played in Kuwait, Qatar and Iraq, although he also played in Europe, for English Nottingham Forest. Between 1999 and 2019 he scored 349 goals in 455 games, an average of 0.77 goals per game.

The Italian striker was considered a legend at Juventus in Turin, where he spent 19 seasons before moving to Sydney FC and retiring at the Indian Delhi Dynamos. Between 1991 and 2014 he scored 349 goals in 868 games (0.40 average).

After Del Piero is the Colombian player Víctor Hugo Aristizábal (1990-2008), with 348 goals in 631 games (0.55). Only three goals more than that is Marc Lloyd Williams (pictured) (1992-2014) who achieved 345 in 576 games during his career (0.60 average).

Many consider him the best player in the history of football. In his 21-year career (1976-1997) he scored 345 goals and an average of 0.51 goals per game in 679 games. Besides the national team of Argentina, he played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, FC Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys.

The Chilean footballer went through Seville, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, América and Colo-Colo, among others. He was active from 1985 to 2003, during which time he managed to score 345 goals in 700 games; an average of 0.49.

The same goals as Zamorano, 345, were achieved by the Peruvian Claudio Pizarro, although, in his case, in 871 games, with an average of 0.40. Between 1996 and 2020 he went through clubs such as Alianza Lima, Werder Bremen, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Cologne.

Born in Yugoslavia, Nemanja Nikolić, scored 341 goals in 644 games (0.53), since 2006. Following him is the Colombian footballer Radamel Falcao (pictured), who, since 2003, has achieved a total of 338 goals in 635 games (0.52 average).

Also active, Belgian Romelu Lukaku, who has played in Anderlecht, Chelsea, Everton, West Bromwich Albion, Manchester United, and Inter Milan, has scored 336 goals in 658 games (an average of 0.51).

Behind Lukaku and also active is the Gabonese Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. 332 goals in 662 games (0.50) since 2008. Besides the Gabon team, he has played for Saint-Étienne, Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, FC Barcelona, and Chelsea.

Liberian George Weah, the only African Ballon d'Or in history, is also on the list. throughout his career, he scored 328 goals through teams like AC Milan, PSG and Chelsea.

Bergkamp is another of the great scorers in the history of the Netherlands. With 351 goals throughout his career (1986-2006), he went through teams like Ajax or Inter Milan, but it was at Arsenal where he triumphed and retired.

And we cannot close the list without remembering the legendary Marco Van Basten, one of the best players in the history of Dutch football and winner of the Ballon d'Or on three occasions. He played for Ajax and AC Milan and scored a total of 340 goals between 1982 and 1995.