Who Has the Most Goals in Soccer?
, by Adam Zawati, 3 min reading time
Curious who has scored the most goals in soccer history? From Ronaldo’s overall tally to Sinclair’s international record, here’s the definitive breakdown.
Who Has the Most Goals in Soccer?
Soccer fans around the world often ask: who holds the record for the most goals in soccer? The answer isn’t as straightforward as it may seem. It depends on whether you're counting all official goals, just international ones, or even including friendlies. In this post, we break down the top scorers in the sport's history across categories.
What Defines "Most Goals" in Soccer?
Before naming names, it's important to define the criteria:
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Official goals: Goals scored in competitive matches (league, tournament, international).
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Unofficial/friendly goals: Sometimes included in historical tallies, but often disputed.
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Club + international goals: Some records combine totals from all professional matches.
Different sources count goals differently, which is why you'll see a range of totals depending on the list.
Overall Career Goals (Club + International)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Most Official Career Goals)
Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the most official goals in soccer history. As of mid-2025, he has scored over 936 goals in 1,270 matches, according to TalkSport. Some sources like Sports Illustrated even list him at 938 goals. His relentless consistency at clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United, Juventus, and now Al Nassr has set him apart.
[Image placement: Right-aligned photo of Ronaldo celebrating a goal - Insert here]
Pelé (Guinness World Record Holder)
Pelé is often credited with the highest number of total goals in history: 1,283 goals in 1,363 games, according to Guinness World Records. However, many of these came in unofficial or friendly matches.
Josef Bican
Recognized by some historians as having over 805 official goals, Bican played in the early-to-mid 20th century and is still among the most prolific scorers in football history.
Most International Goals
Cristiano Ronaldo (Men's Record)
Ronaldo also holds the record for most international goals by a male player, with 138 goals for Portugal. His longevity and impact in international tournaments are unmatched.
Christine Sinclair (All-Time International Leader)
On the women’s side, Christine Sinclair of Canada has scored 190 international goals, making her the highest-scoring international player in soccer history—male or female.
Women's Soccer Records
Marta (Most World Cup Goals)
Brazilian legend Marta holds the record for the most goals scored in FIFA World Cup tournaments (17). She is also Brazil’s top scorer across all competitions, male or female.
Why the Debate Persists
The debate over who has the most goals in soccer continues due to several factors:
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Discrepancies between official and unofficial matches.
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Different governing bodies (FIFA, IFFHS, RSSSF) count goals differently.
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Active players like Messi and Ronaldo continue adding to their totals.
Historical records, especially pre-digital era, are often incomplete or contested, which adds to the confusion.
Final Thoughts
While Ronaldo currently leads the charge in official career and international goals, legendary names like Pelé, Sinclair, Marta, and Bican have all left incredible marks on the game. Understanding how goals are counted helps paint a more accurate picture of their legacies.
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