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Top ten highest goalscorers of all time: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi pass legends Pele and Gerd Muller as they chase down Josef Bican’s goal record

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On October 20, 2021

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Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi may be nearing the ends of their stunning careers but for now, they’re still banging in the goals on a regular basis.

Manchester United icon Ronaldo has continued his remarkable scoring run since returning to Old Trafford and will be eyeing a big season ahead.

Ronaldo and Messi are still banging in the goals

Ronaldo’s stunning United comeback came fresh from his brace for Portugal which made him the leading international goalscorer of all time.

It has taken the 36-year-old’s career mark well clear of Pele’s tally of goals scored in OFFICIAL matches of 767.

Pele congratulated Ronaldo when he overtook him, but still maintains his actual total is over 1,200. Such claims have been widely disputed.

The incredible Ronaldo has moved up the all-time scoring charts in recent years but he, alongside great rival Messi, remain behind Austria-Czech icon Josef Bican.

One thing’s for sure though, the superstar duo still playing today are among the best to have ever done so.

They still have a few years left before they hang up their boots and both will be looking to climb this list further having joined new clubs over the summer.

New Paris Saint-Germain star Messi overtook Germany icon Gerd Muller in April to move to sixth in the all-time chart while Ronaldo is now second having leapfrogged Romario’s tally.

Both will have to continue their prolific form for some time yet if they are to surpass Bican…

Josef Bican is the leading goalscorer of all-time

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 averaged over three goals per game during his career at Szentlorinci AC.

7. 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.

6. 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.

Barcelona and Argentina legend Lionel Messi celebrates yet another goal

Ray Parlour interviews Pele and it’s HILARIOUSLY AWKWARD

6. Lionel Messi

755 goals in 939 games – 2003-present

A true legend, Messi has won countless awards to go along with his goals at Barcelona.

Now with PSG, the Argentine has a few years left to add to his remarkable tally.

He’ll be eager to prove his few doubters wrong and produce the goods in a different league.

He got his debut goal for the Paris giants in their 2-0 Champions League win over Manchester City last month and continues to score for Argentina as he netted his 80th national goal against Uruguay on October 11.

4. 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 over 1,000 times in his career.

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.

3. 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.

Ronaldo marked his second Manchester United debut in the only way he knows how – with a goal!

2. Cristiano Ronaldo

794 goals in 1083 games – 2001-present

A modern great for Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and now the Red Devils again.

Ronaldo has won everything in the game and is still going strong today. Could he overtake Bican before he’s done?

The 36-year-old will be determined to show he is still a superstar following his return to Old Trafford this summer, and he has continued his impressive scoring form with yet another hat-trick for Portugal in the World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg. CR7 is BACK!