Footballers dream of representing their national teams, a career pinnacle for most. Scoring for one’s country brings immense pride International Football, while for others, it’s second nature. Some chase records, while others thrive on delivering pinpoint assists. Legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi dominate with unmatched scoring prowess, but the list also features forgotten stars who once made history for their nations before retiring.
Alexis Sanchez (Chile)
Goal contributions: 92
Alexis Sánchez’s club career has been a rollercoaster, marked by brilliance at Arsenal and a steep decline after his ill-fated move to Manchester United. Yet, on the international stage, there’s no questioning his talent. For Chile, Sánchez remains the heartbeat of the team, with their tactics often built around the dynamic forward.
With 51 goals and 41 assists in 166 appearances, Sánchez is Chile’s all-time leader in goals, assists, and caps. He spearheaded the nation’s historic triumph in the 2015 Copa América, sealing the title with a decisive penalty in the final. A year later, as captain, he inspired Chile to defend their crown at the 2016 Copa América Centenario, where he was named the tournament’s best player and awarded the Golden Ball.
Edin Dzeko (Bosnia & Herzegovina)
Goal contributions: 96
Playing in Europe for a country ranked as low as 74th—Bosnia & Herzegovina—it would be easy to assume Edin Džeko’s club-level prowess might not fully translate to the international stage. However, the prolific striker defies expectations. Despite not enjoying the same quality of service he received at clubs like Manchester City and Roma, Džeko’s goal-scoring brilliance remains undiminished.
A three-time winner of the Bosnian Player of the Year award from 2009 to 2011, the 6ft 4in talisman is a cornerstone of his national team, much like Alexis Sánchez is for Chile. Džeko’s record of 67 goals in 139 appearances not only cements his status as Bosnia’s all-time top scorer but also underscores his indispensable role. Yet, despite his personal accolades and consistency, team success on the international stage has remained elusive.
Miroslav Klose (Germany)
Goal contributions: 100
Miroslav Klose epitomized the art of being in the right place at the right time. As Germany’s all-time leading goalscorer and the record-holder for the most goals in FIFA World Cup history with 16 strikes across four tournaments, his legacy is unmatched.
Born in Poland, Klose’s success stemmed from his natural instinct, aerial dominance, and composure in the penalty area. With him spearheading the attack, Die Mannschaft always had a chance at glory. This was finally realized in their triumphant 2014 World Cup campaign, following near-misses in 2002, 2006, and 2010.
Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)
Goal contributions: 103
Throughout his career, Romelu Lukaku has often hinted at being one of the finest strikers of his generation. While consistency at the club level has occasionally eluded him, his transformation on the international stage is undeniable. When donning the Belgian jersey, Lukaku evolves into a relentless force, consistently finding the back of the net.
As the spearhead of Belgium’s Golden Generation, Lukaku has been virtually unstoppable at his peak, likened to a freight train barreling through defenders. In just 120 international appearances, the former Chelsea, West Brom, and Everton forward has notched an impressive 85 goals and provided 18 assists. This remarkable tally equates to a goal contribution every 104 minutes—a statistic that becomes even more striking when factoring in less than full-match durations.
Luis Suarez (Uruguay)
Goal contributions: 108
Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of the last decade not named Ronaldo or Messi, Luis Suárez is celebrated for his passion and selflessness on the pitch. His infamous handball against Ghana in the 2010 World Cup showcased his win-at-all-costs mentality, but his incredible stats truly define his legacy.
A versatile frontman who left everything on the field to give his team the best chance of success, Suárez recorded 69 goals and 39 assists in 143 appearances for Uruguay. The former Liverpool and Barcelona star bid farewell to international football in September 2024, marking the end of a stellar career. His crowning achievement came in the 2011 Copa América, where he contributed to six goals and earned the Player of the Tournament honor as La Celeste lifted the trophy.
Landon Donovan (USA)
Goal contributions: 116
Undoubtedly one of the most surprising entries on this list, Landon Donovan is a true icon in his homeland, the USA. Sharing the title of the national team’s all-time leading scorer with Clint Dempsey, Donovan also holds the record for the most assists and remains the USMNT’s top scorer in World Cup history.
Donovan’s impact extends far beyond the stat sheet; he is arguably the most influential player in American soccer history. From 2002 to 2012, he was the cornerstone of MLS’s growth and stability. Ahead of the 2002 World Cup, the league faced uncertainty, even considering folding. However, the USMNT’s unexpected run to the quarterfinals, fueled by Donovan’s brilliance and his Young Player of the Tournament award, changed the trajectory of soccer in the United States. With 57 goals and 59 assists across 157 international appearances, Donovan firmly established himself among the legends of the global game.
Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
Goal contributions: 118
While Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland dominate headlines, few strikers can rival their brilliance. Yet, even in their shadow, there’s no denying that Robert Lewandowski remains unmatched in his craft. The Polish captain was heartbreakingly denied the Ballon d’Or in 2019 and saw another opportunity snatched away in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite those setbacks, the 36-year-old continues to defy time, showcasing peak form in 2024. His remarkable record for Poland—83 goals and 35 assists in 155 appearances—only solidifies his legendary status. As the Barcelona striker powers forward with no signs of slowing, predicting the final numbers of his career feels like a fool’s errand. The journey isn’t over, and the best may still be to come.
Neymar (Brazil)
Goal contributions: 138
Neymar has faced relentless criticism for not meeting the towering expectations placed on him since his high-profile move from Santos to Barcelona in 2013. Some might argue that this scrutiny has obscured the reality of his achievements. While he may not have matched the legendary status of Messi or Pelé—comparisons he was often burdened with—his career has been nothing short of remarkable.
With an astonishing 79 goals and 59 assists in 128 appearances for Brazil, Neymar’s record is one that only a handful of players over the past two decades can rival. Yet, the constant negativity surrounding him has led many football fans to undervalue the contributions of the former Barcelona and PSG star, despite his undeniable impact on the game.
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Goal contributions: 170
Having recently secured his long-awaited World Cup victory, Lionel Messi has solidified his legacy in the history of international football. However, his place in the sport’s pantheon was already assured long before that iconic win. With 170 goals and assists, Messi has been the driving force behind Argentina’s success for years.
As he sets his sights on the next major tournament, there’s no question that he will continue to be the heartbeat of Argentina’s attack, determined to lead his team to further glory with the same brilliance that has defined a career marked by two consecutive Copa America titles.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Goal contributions: 172
Although Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t have a World Cup trophy to his name, he does hold a slight edge over his Argentine rival in terms of goal involvement. Ronaldo played a pivotal role in Portugal’s Euro 2016 victory, whether by creating opportunities on the field or by motivating his teammates from the sidelines. His record remains impressive.
As Portugal’s all-time top scorer and the leading goal scorer in European Championship history, Ronaldo also holds the record for the most goals in international football, having scored an extraordinary 135 goals in 217 international appearances. The only thing keeping him from being even further ahead of Lionel Messi in goal contributions is his relentless pursuit of individual goals. With 37 assists to his name, Ronaldo’s tally could have been higher if he occasionally focused on his teammates instead of always seeking to score himself.
| The 10 players with most goals+assists in international football since 2000 | |||||
| Rank | Player | Country | Goals | Assists | Combined |
| 1. | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 135 | 37 | 172 |
| 2. | Lionel Messi | Argentina | 112 | 58 | 170 |
| 3. | Neymar | Brazil | 79 | 59 | 138 |
| 4. | Robert Lewandowski | Poland | 83 | 35 | 118 |
| 5. | Landon Donovan | USA | 57 | 59 | 116 |
| 6. | Luis Suarez | Uruguay | 69 | 39 | 108 |
| 7. | Romelu Lukaku | Belgium | 85 | 18 | 103 |
| 8. | Miroslav Klose | Germany | 71 | 29 | 100 |
| 9. | Edin Dzeko | Bosnia & Herzegovina | 67 | 29 | 96 |
| 10. | Alexis Sanchez | Chile | 51 | 41 | 92 |