Scoring goals at the international level is the clearest proof of a player’s talent, perseverance and influence. Great strikers not only need excellent finishing skills but also have to maintain stable performance for a long time, overcoming the pressure of important matches. The achievement of scoring the most goals for the national team not only shows personal class but also contributes to bringing glory to the country, etching a name in the history of world football. Today, with Bestsoccertips, let’s check out the top 9 players with most international goals through the article below!
Top 9 players most international goals
Top 9: Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski is the best scorer in the history of the Polish national team and one of the world’s leading strikers in the past decade. He has scored 84 goals in 156 appearances for the Polish national team, contributing greatly to the team’s participation in many Euro and World Cup tournaments. With perfect finishing skills, intelligent running ability and abundant physical strength, Lewandowski is the nightmare of every defense. One of his most memorable moments was when he scored a poker against Armenia in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Lewandowski is not only an excellent player at the national team level, but he is also a legend at Bayern Munich, where he won many major titles, including a historic sextuple in 2020. At the age of 35, despite leaving the Bundesliga to join Barcelona, Lewandowski has maintained his impressive form. He continues to be the captain of the Polish national team and can increase his goal tally in the coming years.
Top 8: Ferenc Puskas
Ferenc Puskas is a Hungarian football legend and is considered one of the greatest strikers of all time. With 84 goals in 89 matches, he had an incredible scoring rate, averaging nearly a goal per match. As the leader of Hungary’s “Golden Team” in the 1950s, Puskás helped the team win the 1952 Olympic gold medal and reach the 1954 World Cup final. He also scored in the final of that year’s World Cup, although Hungary lost to West Germany.
Puskás had a magical left foot, accurate shooting ability and excellent technique. After leaving Hungary, he continued to play for Real Madrid and became a legend at the club. Although he passed away in 2006, Puskás’s name still lives on in the hearts of fans. The FIFA “Goal of the Year” award is named after him, demonstrating the great influence this legend had on world football.
Top 7: Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku is the best scorer in the history of the Belgian national team with 85 goals in 120 matches. Making his debut for the national team in 2010 at the age of 17, he quickly proved himself to be one of the world’s top strikers. Possessing an ideal physique, superior strength and diverse finishing ability, Lukaku has been a powerful weapon for the “Red Devils” for more than a decade. He was an important factor in helping Belgium win third place at the 2018 World Cup and reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2020. Lukaku’s goals often come from brave runs, showing the perfect combination of speed and strength.
Despite many ups and downs in his club career, from Chelsea, Inter Milan to AS Roma, at the national team level, Lukaku has always been the main scorer. He could surpass the 100-goal mark for Belgium if he continues to maintain his consistent form. With his vast experience and adaptability, Lukaku remains a great hope for the Belgian team in the upcoming World Cups and Euros.
Top 6: Ali Mabkhout
Ali Mabkhout is the most outstanding striker in the history of United Arab Emirates (UAE) football and one of the highest scoring Asian players of all time. With 85 goals in 115 appearances, he has helped UAE become a force in West Asia. Mabkhout stands out with his diverse scoring ability, from cool sprints to accurate headers. One of his most memorable achievements was at the 2015 Asian Cup, where he scored 5 goals to help UAE finish third.
Unlike many other strikers, Mabkhout did not play in major European tournaments but remained loyal to Al Jazira throughout his career. However, that did not reduce his danger on the pitch. Despite being over 30 years old, Mabkhout still maintains an impressive scoring performance and continues to be the biggest hope of UAE football in international tournaments.
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Top 5: Mokhtar Dahari
Mokhtar Dahari is a Southeast Asian football legend and one of the best players in Malaysia’s history. He scored 89 goals in 142 appearances, becoming the region’s greatest scorer. Nicknamed “Supermokh”, Dahari was not only a sharp striker but also a sports icon of Malaysia. He played a key role in the golden age of Malaysian football, helping the team win the 1977 SEA Games gold medal and defeat strong opponents such as Korea and Japan. One of his most memorable moments was when he scored against Arsenal in a friendly match in 1975, proving his talent to the world.
Unlike many other strikers, Dahari possessed abundant physical strength, outstanding speed and the ability to shoot powerfully from long distance. He not only scored from shots inside the penalty area but also from cannon shots from outside the 16m50. Although he passed away at the age of 37 due to a serious illness, his name still lives on in the hearts of fans. He is the pride not only of Malaysia but also of Southeast Asian football, one of the greatest players to have ever played in this region.
Top 4: Sunil Chhetri
Sunil Chhetri is a living legend of Indian football and the highest-scoring Asian player still playing. With 94 goals in 151 appearances for the national team, Chhetri has helped take Indian football to new heights. He was a key factor in helping India win many regional titles such as the SAFF Championship and taking the team to the Asian Cup finals many times. Despite not playing in the top European tournaments, Chhetri has maintained his form for more than two decades, scoring regularly and being the pride of South Asian football.
Not only a killer in the penalty area, Chhetri is also a true leader on the pitch. He has the ability to read the game well, has a variety of finishing and is always an inspiration to his teammates. Although Indian football is not yet on par with the big football nations, with his tireless dedication, Chhetri has helped raise the image of the Indian team on the world football map.
Top 3: Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is not only one of the greatest players in football history but also the leading scorer of the Argentine national team. Making his debut for the Albiceleste in 2005, he has scored 112 goals in 190 matches, becoming the country’s biggest hope for more than a decade. Messi has had a career full of ups and downs with the national team, from disappointments at the World Cup and Copa America to winning the Copa America 2021 and World Cup 2022. He always knows how to shine at important moments, such as his double against France in the 2022 World Cup final or the goal against Brazil that helped Argentina win the Copa America for the first time in 28 years.
Unlike Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi is not a pure striker but a complete player with excellent ability to create and score goals. He can create goals from classic solo plays, tricky long-range shots or perfect free kicks. Despite being 36 years old, Messi is still the soul of the Argentina team, continuing to conquer new milestones and prolonging his legacy in world football.
Top 2: Ali Daei
Ali Daei is an Asian football legend and once held the record for the player with the most goals in international football history before Cristiano Ronaldo broke this milestone. From 1993 to 2006, Daei was an irreplaceable pillar of the Iranian team, contributing greatly to the World Cup and Asian Cup qualifying campaigns. With 109 goals in 148 matches, he is the best striker that Iranian football has ever produced. Daei not only scored regularly but also had a great influence, helping Iran win the 1998 Asian Games and continuously participate in major tournaments such as the 1998 and 2006 World Cups. Important goals against Korea, Japan and Saudi Arabia helped him become an immortal symbol of Asian football.
Daei may not be the quickest, but he has excellent positioning and a cool finishing touch. He always knows how to appear in the box at the right time to finish off his opponents. Off the pitch, Daei is also a very influential person, with a successful coaching and business career after retiring. Although Ronaldo has surpassed him in terms of goals, Daei’s importance to Iranian and Asian football cannot be denied. He is not only a goal machine but also an inspiration to the younger generation of players in Iran and across the continent.
Top 1: Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest scorer in the history of international football, who has completely changed the concept of a complete striker. Since his debut for the Portuguese national team in 2003, he has continuously increased his goal tally, surpassing all records and setting a milestone of 135 goals in 217 matches. Ronaldo is the embodiment of perseverance, professionalism and an unquenchable thirst for victory. He not only scores in friendly matches but also shines on big stages such as the World Cup, Euro or UEFA Nations League. Memorable moments such as the double against France in the Euro 2020 group stage, the classic hat-trick against Spain at the 2018 World Cup or the important goal that helped Portugal win the 2019 Nations League have proven his worth in the Selecção squad.
Ronaldo’s goalscoring ability is not a matter of luck, but of hard work, discipline and a never-give-up mentality. He possesses superb finishing skills with both feet, strong aerial ability and incredible versatility in all situations. At 39 years old, he is still in top form, showing the difference between an excellent player and a legend. Ronaldo is not only a great striker but also an icon of world football, someone who always knows how to create magical moments on the pitch. While he is still playing, he can absolutely increase his goals, widen the gap with those behind him and consolidate his position as the highest scorer in the history of the national team.
In Conclusion
The most international goals above not only leave their mark with record numbers but are also associated with historical moments, important victories and national pride. Their achievements are the result of their constant efforts, complete dedication and intense love for football. Although time has passed, those marks still retain their value, becoming a source of inspiration for the next generation to continue conquering new heights. Thank you for following our article!
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