Suiting up at the international level is the ultimate goal for players aiming to solidify their legacies for their respective countries, and with Cristiano Ronaldo on the precipice of becoming the all-time leader in goals it’s fitting that we take a look at some of the other greats.
While Lionel Messi has a ways to go to work himself into the mix for the top five in this category, Messi’s international career was recently validated with Argentina’s first Copa America title during their captain’s tenure with the Albiceleste.
The beauty of football though is the great unknowns, particularly those that come from nations that fans wouldn’t normally follow.
The current all-time leader in goals is Ali Daei, whose career with Iran was revered by many because of the country’s limited success on the international stage.
Meanwhile, players like Hungary’s Sándor Kocsis boasted an incredible career of his own, and in fact, is the only player in the top 20 all-time that averaged over a goal per game during his career with the European nation.
Below, we take a closer look at the 20 best international goal scorers in the history of football.
69 goals
122 appearances
70 goals
115 appearances
70 goals
100 appearances
71 goals
137 appearances
71 goals
134 appearances
71 goals
117 appearances
72 goals
117 appearances
74 goals
118 appearances
75 goals
134 appearances
75 goals
76 appearances
75 goals
68 appearances
76 goals
151 appearances
76 goals
92 appearances
77 goals
92 appearances
78 goals
137 appearances
79 goals
111 appearances
84 goals
85 appearances
89 goals
142 appearances
109 goals
179 appearances
109 goals
149 appearances