Who has scored the most goals in international football? Lionel Messi chasing Cristiano Ronaldo's all-time record
Cristiano Ronaldo might be playing in Saudi Arabia these days, but he's still racking up records.
The 38-year-old holds the record for most international appearances in the history of men's football after playing his 200th game for Portugal in June 2023.
He doesn't only hold the record for the most games played for a male player, but he also has the most international goals of all-time, as part of his enduring pursuit of titles.
Argentina and Inter Miami star Lionel Messi, who's three years younger, can still catch Ronaldo for both records, if he plays on through to the 2026 World Cup.
The Sporting News is regularly updating the rankings for most international goals in the history of men's football below.
Where is FIFA World Cup 2026? Host countries, cities for next men's tournament
Ronaldo holds the record for the most goals scored in men's international football. The Al Nassr and Portugal striker has 123 goals in 200 senior appearances for his country.
Ronaldo broke the long-standing goal record held by Iran's Ali Daei when he scored twice against the Republic of Ireland back in September 2021.
Those two were later joined by Messi, as the only three men's players to reach a century of international goals, with Messi hitting the mark after a hat-trick against Curacao on March 28, with his current tally at 104.
Table below is updated as of September 9, 2023.
*Denotes active player
Even if Ronaldo and Messi continue to play well into their 40s, it is almost impossible for them to catch the goal tallies of the leading women's international goalscorers.
The top-scoring player in women's international football — and, indeed, overall — is Canada's Christine Sinclair, who has managed a staggering 190 goals in 326 appearances in 23
Read on sportingnews.com
