Most goals in men's international football

We take a look at who has scored the most goals in international football history with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the way and showing no signs of letting up.

Only nine players in the history of the game have hit 80 or more International goals with the legendary Ferenc Puskas the first to reach the landmark during the 1950s.

It was a tally that kept Puskas at the head of the international scoring charts for the next 24 years until Mokhtar Dahari of Malaysia netted the 85th strike of his international career against Kuwait in 1980.

Another 24 years passed until it was broken again when Ali Daei of Iran completed his ascent to the top of the international goalscoring ranks.

Daei - who ended his career with a total of 108 goals - created history when he became the first player to reach a century of goals for his nation with four strikes in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Laos.

At present, Daei is now one of three players to reach the 100-goal mark for their country alongside (of course) Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo (138) and Messi (112) are a deserved 1-2 at the head of the International scoring affairs.

Most goals in men's international football

*Refers to active footballers.

At 40 years old, Ronaldo continues to march on and hit a record-extending 138th Portugal strike during his country's UEFA Nations League final victory over Spain.

Messi - barring a brief retirement in 2016 - is also yet to wave the white flag at international football and continues to keep pace with his great rival.

Sunil Chhetri and Romelu Lukaku are the next two active players on the list with the former making something of a comeback in recent times.

The India international was convinced by manager Manolo Marquez to reconsider his retirement with Chhetri scoring against the Maldives on his return in March 2025.

With 79 goals to his name, Neymar is the highest scorer in Brazil's history.

It remains to be seen whether he can bring up 80 for the Seleção with the Santos forward omitted from the latest squad by newly-appointed manager Carlo Ancelotti.

William Dobbie

• Cristiano Ronaldo
• Portugal Men's Football Team
• International Football
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