Who has scored the most goals in international football? Lionel Messi chasing Cristiano Ronaldo's all-time record

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

The 39-year-old holds the record for most international appearances in the history of men's football after playing his 200th game for Portugal in June 2023. 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 — can still catch Ronaldo for both records, if he plays on through to the 2026 World Cup and perhaps beyond.

That said, Ronaldo's double — including a stunning left-footed goal — in Portugal's friendly win over Republic of Ireland prior to their Euro 2024 campaign underlined that the Real Madrid great is going to be difficult to catch at the top of those standings. In September 2024, he struck his country's second goal in the UEFA Nations League match against Croatia to reach 900 across his storied career.

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

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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 135 goals in 217 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.

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 on March 28, with his current tally at 112 in 190 Argentina matches.

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

Table below is updated as of November 15, 2024.

*Denotes active player

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

Even if Ronaldo and Messi continue 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 have retired.

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 15, 2024.

*Denotes active player