Top 10 players most international goals of all time
To become one of the players with the most international goals, in addition to natural talent, it also requires perseverance, determination and a strong fighting spirit. This list includes not only famous legends but also lesser-known strikers with impressive scoring records. Regardless of their level, they are all symbols of dedication, contributing to creating historic and glorious moments for the national team. Today, let’s Premiumsoccertips take a look at the top 10 players with the most goals in international football through the article below!
Top 10 players most international goals
Top 10: Bashar Abdullah
Bashar Abdullah is one of the greatest strikers in Kuwait’s football history, scoring 75 goals in 134 appearances for the national team between 1996 and 2007. He was a symbol of Kuwaiti football in the late 1990s and early 2000s, appearing at three AFC Asian Cups and playing a key role in the team’s international campaigns. Not only did he shine on the international stage, Bashar also had an impressive record at club level with nearly 250 goals, demonstrating his consistent and consistent goalscoring ability. He was known for his intelligent positioning, accurate finishing and vast experience in big matches.
The year 2000 marked one of Bashar Abdullah’s most explosive periods when he scored 21 international goals in just one year. The most notable of these was his eight goals against Bhutan in Kuwait’s 20-0 thrashing of their opponents in the Asian Cup qualifiers. Although he shares the same 75 goals as two other players on the list of the greatest scorers in international football history, Bashar has played the most games, meaning his average goal output is lower. However, scoring 75 goals for the national team is still an incredible feat that very few players can achieve. With a career spanning over a decade and his immense contributions to Kuwaiti football, Bashar Abdullah deserves to be listed as one of the greatest players the country has ever produced.
Top 9: Kunishige Kamamoto
Kunishige Kamamoto is the greatest football legend in Japanese history, scoring 75 goals in 76 matches for the national team from 1964 to 1977. With a performance of nearly a goal per game, he was one of the best strikers in Asia at that time. Kamamoto not only made his mark on the field but also had an impressive political career after retiring, becoming a member of the Institute of Advisers – one of Japan’s top legislative bodies. This made him one of the few football players to have succeeded in both sport and politics, like George Weah – the president of Liberia.
In more than a decade playing for the Japanese national team, Kamamoto not only showed his consistent scoring ability but also had brilliant performances in many major tournaments. Of his 75 goals, 22 were scored in Kuala Lumpur during the Merdeka tournament – a prestigious annual tournament at the time. Kamamoto also had an impressive record against the Philippines, scoring 15 goals against them. With his great contributions to Japanese football, Kamamoto is not only a legend on the pitch but also an icon of Asian football in the 20th century.
Top 8: Sandor Kocsis
Sandor Kocsis was one of the most prolific strikers in Hungarian football history, scoring 75 goals in 68 appearances between 1948 and 1956 – an incredible average of more than a goal per game. As a key member of the legendary Hungarian team “Magical Magyars”, he played a key role in the golden age of Hungarian football. However, Kocsis’s international career ended prematurely when he was forced to leave his homeland in 1956 due to the Hungarian uprising and Soviet repression. At the age of 27, despite still being at the peak of his powers, he never played again for his country.
Before that, Kocsis had shone at the 1954 World Cup, winning the Golden Boot with 11 goals, including a brace against Uruguay in the semi-finals. He was so exhausted that he could not even dress himself after the match. As well as being a prolific goalscorer in a tactical system inspired by Ferenc Puskás, Kocsis was also known for his tireless work ethic and excellent heading ability. After leaving Hungary, he continued his success at FC Barcelona, where he became a club legend. After retiring, Kocsis opened a restaurant called Tête d’Or, leaving his mark not only on the pitch but also in his post-football life.
Top 7: Ali Mabkhout
Ali Mabkhout is the greatest scorer in the history of UAE football, scoring 76 goals in 92 appearances for the national team since 2009. With a consistent scoring performance, he is still playing and has the opportunity to continue improving his achievements. Spending his entire club career at Al Jazira, Mabkhout developed under the guidance of Ricardo Oliveira, a former Brazilian striker who played for AC Milan. The experience of learning from this experienced teammate helped him become a top scorer at both club and national team level.
Not only making his mark with the UAE, Mabkhout also had an impressive record at Al Jazira, where he scored 165 goals in 227 matches. In particular, from 2019 onwards, his form exploded strongly when he scored 32 goals in just 23 matches for the team. With many years of playing ahead, Mabkhout can completely continue to rise in the list of the world’s top scorers. If he maintains this performance, he can challenge the greatest legends of international football.
Top 6: Hussain Saeed
Hussain Saeed is one of the greatest players in Iraqi football history, scoring 78 goals in 137 appearances between 1977 and 1990. He was a key figure in Iraq’s golden age of football in the 1980s, a period when the Lions of Mesopotamia dominated regional football. The Iraqi team won the 1982 Asian Games, the 1985 Pan-Arab Games, the 1984 and 1988 Arabian Gulf Cup, and the 1985 and 1988 Arabian Cup. The most impressive achievement of this generation was qualifying for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, a tournament that marked Iraq’s first appearance on the world’s biggest stage.
Hussain Saeed was at the heart of that success, bursting onto the scene in 1984 when he scored 13 goals in 18 appearances, 12 of them in official competitions. With his sharp finishing and consistent form, he became an icon of Iraqi football for more than a decade. After retiring, Saeed continued to contribute to his country’s football by becoming president of the Iraq Football Federation, succeeding Uday Hussein. Although his career is little known outside the region, Saeed’s influence on Iraqi football is undeniable.
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Top 5: Godfrey Chitalu
Godfrey Chitalu is the greatest legend in Zambia’s football history, scoring 79 goals in 111 appearances for the national team between 1968 and 1980. In doing so, he surpassed even Pele in the number of goals scored for the national team. However, what has made Chitalu most talked about is the controversy surrounding the number of goals he scored in a calendar year. In 2012, when Lionel Messi threatened to break Gerd Müller’s record of 85 goals in a calendar year, the Zambia Football Association claimed that Chitalu had scored 116 goals in 1972. However, FIFA refused to acknowledge it due to lack of official records.
However, no one can deny Chitalu’s influence on Zambian football. Notably, he was not called up to the national team for two years but when he returned, he still scored two goals despite coming on as a substitute. After retiring, Chitalu continued to be involved in football and became the head coach of the national team. Sadly, he and the entire Zambian team were killed in a plane crash in 1993, while Zambia were on their way to qualifying for the 1994 World Cup. Although his life and career ended in tragedy, Chitalu’s legacy lives on in the hearts of Zambian and African fans.
Top 4: Ferenc Puskas
Ferenc Puskás was one of the greatest strikers in football history, scoring 84 goals in 85 appearances for Hungary between 1945 and 1956. He was the captain of the Magical Magyars, the Hungarian team that dominated world football in the 1950s and humiliated England with a 6-3 win at Wembley in 1953 – a match that is considered a turning point in modern football history. A year later, Hungary crushed England 7-1 in Budapest, demonstrating the absolute dominance of this golden generation.
Despite his unimpressive physique, Puskás’ nickname, the Galloping Major, reflected not only his agility but also his sharp tactical vision. He controlled the game from midfield but still managed to score at an astonishing rate of almost a goal per game. Notably, Puskás also had a legitimate goal disallowed in the 1954 World Cup final, where Hungary lost to West Germany. Puskás’s legacy lives on in world football, with FIFA naming the Puskás Award after the best goal of the year – a testament to his influence on the art of goalscoring.
Top 3: Mokhtar Dahari
Mokhtar Dahari, a Malaysian football legend, scored 89 goals in 142 appearances for the national team between 1972 and 1985. He was the highest-scoring Asian player in international history until Iran’s Ali Daei surpassed him. Dahari is not only the pride of Malaysian football but also a symbol of loyalty, having turned down offers from European clubs to dedicate his entire career to Selangor FC, helping them win 10 Malaysia Cup titles.
Despite almost retiring early after losing his motorbike to go to work, Dahari quickly made a comeback thanks to the support of a bicycle sponsor. Possessing a strong physique but still agile, he became a fearsome striker. His peak came not only from domestic titles but also from scoring twice against Arsenal in a friendly, attracting the attention of English clubs and even Real Madrid. Unfortunately, Dahari’s life ended too soon when he passed away at the age of 37 due to motor neurone disease, leaving behind a huge void in the hearts of Malaysian and Asian fans.
Top 2: Ali Daei
Ali Daei, an Iranian football legend, scored 109 goals in 149 appearances for the national team between 1993 and 2006. He was the first player in history to surpass 100 international goals, a record that stood for 17 years before Cristiano Ronaldo broke it. Daei was not only a prolific goalscorer but also an icon of Asian football, helping Iran win the 1998 Asian Games and qualify for the 1998 World Cup.
Despite a less than stable club career in Europe, with spells at Bayern Munich and Hertha Berlin, Daei remains a legend at the international level. He officially surpassed Mokhtar Dahari to become the world’s top scorer in 2003. Previously, Dahari held the title for 22 years, while Puskás held the record for 26 years. With the record-breaking pace increasing, the future could see a new star surpass Ronaldo.
Top 1: Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese football superstar, has scored 111 goals in 180 appearances for the national team since 2003. He is a rare perfect player who combines natural talent with a desire to constantly improve himself, breaking all limits. With the international scoring record, Ronaldo officially surpassed Ali Daei after a double against the Republic of Ireland in 2021, continuing to affirm his position as a great icon of world football.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Players most goals in international football
With five Ballons d’Or, four Golden Boots, and 32 major trophies, Ronaldo is not only one of the best players in history, but also the greatest scorer in European football. He holds a host of records, including the most goals in the Champions League (134) and in the EUROs (14). This massive achievement shows no signs of stopping, as Ronaldo continues to conquer new milestones, proving that for him, there is no limit that cannot be overcome.
In Conclusion
Most international goals are not just about scoring goals but also about asserting their position and influence on the world stage. Important goals help them make their mark in history, bring glory to their teams and create memorable moments for fans. Although time has passed, their outstanding achievements are still a testament to their talent, dedication and importance in international football.
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