Cristiano Ronaldo has widened his lead as men's international football's all-time leading goalscorer, taking his tally to 146 goals for Portugal and moving
even further clear of long-time rival Lionel Messi.
The Portugal captain, who recently confirmed the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the last of his career, has spent more than two decades rewriting international goalscoring records. With 146 goals in 232 appearances, Ronaldo now sits comfortably at the top of the all-time list, ahead of several of football's greatest forwards.
Cristiano Ronaldo tops men's all-time international goalscorers list
Ronaldo's latest goal against Croatia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup extended a record that has looked increasingly untouchable since he overtook Iran legend Ali Daei in 2021.
Here are the top five goalscorers in men's international football history:
| Rank | Player | Country | Goals | Appearances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 146 | 232 |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | 124 | 203 |
| 3 | Ali Daei | Iran | 108 | 148 |
| 4 | Sunil Chhetri | India | 95 | 157 |
| 5 | Romelu Lukaku | Belgium | 92 | 130 |
Ronaldo now holds a 22-goal advantage over Messi, while remaining the only men's player to reach the 140-goal mark in international football.
Cristiano Ronaldo's international record extends beyond goals
The Portugal captain's dominance is not limited to his overall tally.
Ronaldo has also become the first player in men's football history to score in six different FIFA World Cups, finding the net in the 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026 editions.
His international scoring record is spread across every major competition:
- FIFA World Cup: 11 goals
- UEFA European Championship: 14 goals (all-time tournament record)
- UEFA Nations League and qualifiers: 66 goals
- Friendlies and other competitions: 55 goals
He also holds the men's international record for 10 hat-tricks, underlining the consistency that has defined his career with Portugal.
How Cristiano Ronaldo has built his 146-goal tally
Ronaldo's goals have come in a variety of ways, reflecting his evolution from explosive winger to penalty-box striker.
According to UEFA, 85 of his international goals have come with his right foot, 33 with his left and *28 with his head.
His breakdown by goal type includes:
Open play: 112
Penalties: 23
Direct free-kicks: 11
The 41-year-old has scored against 49 different national teams, with Luxembourg proving his favourite opponents after netting 11 goals against them.
Can anyone catch Cristiano Ronaldo?
With Ronaldo confirming that the 2026 World Cup will be his last, the focus has shifted to the longevity of his international scoring record.
Messi remains the closest active challenger on 124 goals, but the Argentine trails by 22 strikes. Chhetri has already retired from international football, while Daei's long-standing record has been surpassed and Lukaku remains some distance behind.
Given Ronaldo's extraordinary longevity and sustained output over 23 years with Portugal, his position at the top of the all-time international scoring charts appears secure.
Even if he decides to retire from international football in the near future, Ronaldo will leave the game holding one of its most enduring records, the highest goalscorer in the history of men's international football.
