Top 10 highest goalscorers in the world among active footballersย
The world of football has always been blessed with a plethora of quality strikers. In the 20th century, players like Gerd Muller and Eusebio were as clinical as they came. However, there are some top-notch forwards in the current generation.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have taken their individual brilliance to the next level. The pair have won 12 Ballon dโOrs and numerous Golden Boots among themselves. It will be hard for any future superstars to break the records set by these two amazingly talented footballers.
September 1: Cristiano Ronaldo breaks record for most goals in men's international history
September 10: Lionel Messi breaks record for most goals as a South American in men's international history
๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ก๐ง๐๐๐ฆ๐ฆ ๐ https://t.co/N6LUUqxy8z
Luis Suarez and Robert Lewandowski are undoubtedly the two most prolific out-and-out strikers of the last decade. Despite scoring a combined 1000+ goals between themselves, they are often overshadowed by the achievements of Ronaldo and Messi.
Check the 10 highest goalscorers in football history over here. Since only a couple of current players made that list, this follow-up piece features the top 10 active goalscorers.
Note: Hulk (350 goals) hasnโt been considered as he has scored several goals outside the top five European leagues.
Honorable mention: Romelu Lukaku (335 goals).
#10 Neymar Jr (335 goals)
Neymar Jr is tied with Romelu Lukaku on 335 goals. Since the PSG superstar has played fewer matches, he edges the Chelsea man on the list. Neymar has been particularly prolific for Brazil, scoring 70 goals in 116 appearances on the international stage.
The 29-year-old has been criticized for not living up to his potential. Although he will soon reach the twilight of his career, he is yet to win the Ballon dโOr. With that being said, Neymar has still had an illustrious career. He is one of the few non-strikers to make this list.
Neymar:
401 Goals
224 Assists
Cristiano:
Statistics after 653 games played:
๐ง๐ท Neymar:
โฝ๏ธ 401 Goals
๐ ฐ๏ธ 224 Assists
๐ฆ๐ท Messi:
โฝ๏ธ 517 Goals
๐ ฐ๏ธ 218 Assists
๐ต๐น Cristiano:
โฝ๏ธ 400 Goals
๐ ฐ๏ธ 133 Assists
These numbers are insane. Makes you think about how Neymar is actually becoming underrated. https://t.co/QIUbOCDmz5
The former Barcelona winger has scored 265 goals at club level. Although Lukaku has scored a couple more goals, he took around 100 more matches to do so. Moreover, Neymar has over double the number of assists, favoring his selection ahead of Lukaku.
#9 Gonzalo Higuain (350 goals)
For over a decade, Gonzalo Higuain was a consistent goalscorer in Europeโs top five leagues. The Argentine striker spent his prime with top clubs such as Real Madrid, Napoli and Juventus. Despite not scoring a lot of goals at international level, he has managed to reach the 350-goal benchmark.
The 34-year-old currently plies his trade at Inter Miami in the MLS. Higuain has scored 319 goals at club level, with over 100 of them coming for Real Madrid. He wasnโt half bad with Argentina either, as he scored 31 goals in 75 appearances.
Gonzalo Higuaรญn broke the record for most goals (36) in a single 20-team Serie A season during the 2015/16 campaign. https://t.co/dlP5gYtWPW
El Pipita faced tremendous competition for the striker's spot at international level from the likes of Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez. Had he played more matches for Argentina, he could have ranked slightly higher on this list.