Top 4 Players Who Have Scored the Most Goals in Soccer History 

The history of soccer is rich with legendary players who have captivated fans with their incredible goal-scoring prowess as well as their skill on the field. While soccer is of course a team sport, and every single player on the field works together to score goals, there are those few players who really stick out from the rest and make the game look way too easy. We will be looking at current players of course, but also at some that you may not even have heard of. Here’s a look at the top four players who have scored the most goals in soccer history, highlighting their careers and contributions to the beautiful game.

 

Cristiano Ronaldo

 

The introduction mentioned players who have been before your time, but Cristiano Ronaldo is not one of them. Often considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, he currently holds the record for the most official goals scored in football history, surpassing the 800-goal mark in official matches. Born on February 5, 1985, in Madeira, Portugal, Ronaldo’s career began at Sporting CP before he made a name for himself at Manchester United, where he won three Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy.

 

The story goes that Ronaldo’s life changed considerably when a scout came to see him and some of his team members play. The scout only had a spot for one player, and Christiano’s friend had the ball, running at goal, only to pass to Ronaldo who netted it. Afterwards, Ronaldo asked his friend why he passed to him when he could have scored himself, and his friend’s answer was: “because you’re better than me and you’ll make it further”. His friend was right because Ronaldo became a living legend and one of the top football goal scorers to ever live.

 

Lionel Messi

 

The second player who needs no introduction: Lionel Messi, often seen as Ronaldo’s greatest rival, is another footballing legend whose goal-scoring record is nothing short of extraordinary. Born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, Messi joined FC Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia, at a young age. He made his first-team debut in 2004 and quickly became the heart and soul of the club. Some may not know that Messi was actually born with a rare medical disorder that he managed to overcome and pretty much take over the soccer world. A real example of what one can do with hard work and dedication.

 

Messi spent 21 years at Barcelona, where he scored 672 goals in competitive matches, becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer. His playing style combines incredible dribbling ability, vision, and an uncanny knack for finding the back of the net. Messi’s record includes numerous hat-tricks, free-kicks, and goals created from dazzling solo runs. In 2021, Messi made a highly publicized move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), where he continues to add to his impressive tally. He is also the all-time leading scorer in La Liga history and has earned multiple Ballon d’Or awards, solidifying his status as one of the greatest players of all time.

 

Pelé

 

Pelé, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento on October 23, 1940, in Três Corações, Brazil, is a footballing icon whose legacy transcends generations. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in soccer history, Pelé’s goal tally is often debated due to the varying methods of counting goals. Officially, he is credited with scoring over 1,280 goals in both official and unofficial matches during his career, including 77 goals for the Brazilian national team.

 

Pelé began his professional career at Santos FC, where he spent nearly two decades and won numerous titles, including multiple Copa Libertadores and national championships. He gained international fame by leading Brazil to three World Cup victories in 1958, 1962, and 1970, becoming a symbol of the nation’s soccer prowess. What made Pelé so special was his ability to combine technical skill, strength and creativity, something that only few can do, including some players today who have scored the most goals in La Liga. Pelé’s influence remains evident, and he is celebrated not only for his goal-scoring ability but also for his impact on soccer globally. Having died in 2022 at the age of 82, he lived a long and magical life, leaving millions in awe to this day.

 

Gerd Müller

 

Gerd Müller, a German striker known as “Der Bomber” (the bomber) is one of the most prolific goal-scorers in soccer history. Born on November 3, 1945, in Nördlingen, Germany, Müller played primarily for Bayern Munich and the West German national team. Throughout his career, he scored 735 official goals for club and country. Gerd Müller’s goal-scoring instinct was unmatched and his teammates said that he had a remarkable ability to be in the right place at the right time. He moved like water and appeared as if out of nowhere time and time again.

 

His most notable achievement came when he led West Germany to victory in the 1974 World Cup, scoring two goals in the final against the Netherlands. Despite retiring from professional football in the early 1980s, Müller’s records have stood the test of time, and he remains a revered figure in German soccer, even after his passing in 2021. Soccer is one of those sports that brings people together and makes life worth living.