Football

Cristiano Ronaldo might be playing in Saudi Arabia these days, but he’s still racking up records in Portuguese colours.

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The 41-year-old holds the record for most international appearances in the history of men’s football. Among male footballers, he also has the most international goals of all time, as part of his enduring pursuit of titles and records.

Argentina and Inter Miami star Lionel Messi — who is nearly three years younger — has battled the Portuguese star his entire career for titles and trophies but following his international retirement in 2026 he’ll finish behind his main rival.

The Sporting News is regularly updating the rankings for most international goals in the history of men’s football below. 

Who has scored the most goals in men’s international football?

Ronaldo holds the record for the most goals scored in men’s international football. The Al Nassr and Portugal striker has 146 goals in 234 senior appearances for his country.

Ronaldo broke the long-standing goal record held by Iran’s Ali Daei when he scored twice against the Republic of Ireland in September 2021.

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Those two were later joined by Messi as the only three men’s players to reach a century of international goals, with Messi hitting the mark after a hat-trick against Curacao, with his current tally at 125 in 207 Argentina matches.

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Most international goals: Men’s all-time top 10

Table below is updated as of October 6, 2026.

*Denotes active player

Who has scored the most goals in women’s international football?

Even if Ronaldo and Messi continued to play well into their 40s, it is almost impossible for them to catch the goal tallies of the leading women’s international goalscorers.

The top-scoring player in women’s international football — and, indeed, overall — is Canada’s Christine Sinclair, who has managed a staggering 190 goals in 328 appearances in 23 years.

She is six goals ahead of USWNT great Abby Wambach, who retired in 2015. The top 10 is dominated by USA stars, who make up half of the list, although all but Jordan’s Maysa Jbarah and Brazil’s Marta have retired.

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MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo goal scoring record: List of all-time top scorers

Most international goals: Women’s all-time top 10

Table below is updated as of October 6, 2026

*Denotes active player