Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have started 2021 as they mean to go on – by scoring goals.
Some even claim Ronaldo has become the highest goalscorer of all time with 760, but not according to these statistics.
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The Juventus forward is still behind legendary Brazil duo Pele and Romario in data from Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF).
Ronaldo scored his 760th career goal during Juventus’ 2-0 win over Napoli in the Italian Super Cup – and some claim that has moved him beyond legendary Austria-Czech striker Josef Bican, although these records state otherwise.
One thing’s for sure, Ronaldo and Messi are among the best to have ever played the game and certainly have the statistics to back that up.
The debate over which superstar is superior has raged on for several years and world football is eagerly awaiting their head-to-head clash in the Champions League this week.
Both men have helped reshape modern football, but who else is on the all time top goalscorers list and where do the current stars sit?
Ronaldo and Messi still have a few years left before they hang up their boots and both will be looking to climb this list.
However, they’ll have to continue their prolific form for a number of seasons yet if they are to surpass Bican.
10. Tulio Maravilha
575 goals (total games unknown) – 1988-2019
A Brazilian journeyman who certainly had the eye for goal.
Only recently retired, Tulio played for nearly 40 clubs in his career.
9, Uwe Seeler
575+ goals (total games unknown) – 1953-1978
The German great was prolific for Hamburger but struggled to turn his goals into silverware.
He scored twice in his one and only appearance for Ireland’s Cork Celtic in 1978.
8. Ferenc Deak
576+ goals (total games unknown) – 1940-1957
One of Hungary’s best during their heyday and a legend in his home country if not as much elsewhere in the world.
Incredibly, Deak scored over three goals per game during his career at Szentlorinci AC.
7. Lionel Messi
719 goals in 895 games – 2003-present
A true one club legend, Messi has won countless awards to go along with his goals at Barcelona.
The Argentine is still going strong and will be looking to overtake a few more names on this list before he retires.
6. Gerd Muller
734 goals in 793 games – 1962-1981
The striker’s most important goal was the winner in the 1974 World Cup final as Germany beat the Netherlands 2-1 in Munich.
Muller is also Bayern Munich’s record goalscorer and has well over double the second best.
5. Ferenc Puskas
746+ goals in 754+ games – 1943-1966
Another Hungarian icon, Puskas now lends his name to the award for the most beautiful goal of each year.
He made his name in Budapest before cementing his legend at Real Madrid.
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4. Cristiano Ronaldo
760 goals in 1040 games – 2001-present
A modern great for Manchester United, Real Madrid and now Juventus.
‘CR7’ has won everything in the game, but according to these statistics, still has his eyes set on more as he closes in on Pele.
3. Pele
767 goals in 831 games – 1957-1977
One of the greatest ever and a three-time World Cup winner.
Pele scored nearly a goal-per-game during his 656 competitive games for Santos, though claims to have scored 1000 in his career.
Actually, Pele’s Instagram bio reads: “Leading Goal Scorer of All Time (1,283).”
However, it is widely accepted hundreds of those goals came during tour or friendly matches.
Pele insists he has scored more goals than Cristiano Ronaldo
2. Romario
772 goals 994 games – 1985-2007
Romario lead Brazil to World Cup glory in 1994, scoring five goals in the tournament.
He enjoyed a stellar career at a number of top clubs around the world.
1. Josef Bican
805+ goals in 530+ games – 1931-1956
Scoring 395 in 217 games for Slavia Prague, Bican claims the honour as football’s leading goalscorer of all-time.
It is said he scored close to 1,500 goals in total during his playing days.
All data courtesy of Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF) and correct as of 11/01/21
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