2 min readNov 5, 2026 08:29 PM ISTRonaldo retired as the highest goalscorer in international football. (X/ FIFA World Cup)Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a glittering 23-year career with Portugal. The 41-year-old forward bows out as the undisputed king of international goalscoring, having found the net 146 times in 234 appearances, both men’s world records. His farewell comes just days after he extended his lead at the top of the all-time list.ALSO READ | Cristiano Ronaldo retires: A timeline of his record-breaking Portugal careerRonaldo finishes 20 goals clear of his great rival Lionel Messi, who sits second with 126 goals in 208 caps for Argentina. Iran’s Ali Daei, whose record Ronaldo surpassed in September 2021, remains third with 108 goals.Rounding out the top five are Indian great Sunil Chhetri, who is fourth in the list with 95 goals, followed by Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku (94 goals).Here is the full list of the most international goals in men’s football:1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 146 goals in 234 appearances2. Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 126 goals in 208 appearances3. Ali Daei (Iran) – 108 goals in 148 appearances4. Sunil Chhetri (India) – 95 goals in 157 appearances5. Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) – 94 goals in 135 appearances6. Robert Lewandowski (Poland) – 92 goals in 170 appearances7. Harry Kane (England) – 91 goals in 125 appearances8. Mokhtar Dahari (Malaysia) – 89 goals in 142 appearances9. Ali Mabkhout (UAE) – 85 goals in 115 appearances10. Ferenc Puskás (Hungary/Spain) – 84 goals in 89 appearances11. Neymar (Brazil) – 80 goals in 130 appearances12. Godfrey Chitalu (Zambia) – 79 goals in 111 appearances13. Hussein Saeed (Iraq) – 78 goals in 137 appearances14. Pelé (Brazil) – 77 goals in 92 appearances15. Vivian Woodward (England) – 75 goals in 53 appearances16. Sándor Kocsis (Hungary) – 75 goals in 68 appearances17. Kunishige Kamamoto (Japan) – 75 goals in 76 appearances18. Bashar Abdullah (Kuwait) – 75 goals in 134 appearances19. Edin Džeko (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – 73 goals in 152 appearances20. Majed Abdullah (Saudi Arabia) – 72 goals in 117 appearances21. Kinnah Phiri (Malawi) – 71 goals in 117 appearances22. Kiatisuk Senamuang (Thailand) – 71 goals in 134 appearances23. Miroslav Klose (Germany) – 71 goals in 137 appearances24. Piyapong Pue-on (Thailand) – 70 goals in 100 appearances25. Abdul Kadir (Indonesia) – 70 goals in 111 appearances26. Stern John (Trinidad and Tobago) – 70 goals in 115 appearances© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdAdvertisementLoading Recommendations...AdvertisementAdvertisement