[ad_1]
CRISTIANO RONALDO reached 101 international goals last night, putting the Portuguese icon just eight behind the all-time top scorer, Ali Daei.
The global superstar scored two goals in Portugal’s 2-0 Nations League victory over Sweden.
And he only needs nine more to become the top international scorer of all time.
Iranian forward Daei had 109 in 149 appearances for his country, while Ronaldo has needed 164 appearances to reach his milestone.
And here SunSport reveals the top ten international scorers of all time.
ALI DAEI – IRAN
Goals: 109. Games: 149.
The forward was more successful on the international stage, but he also played for Bayern Munich.
He scored his goals for Iran between 1993 and 2006.
CRISTIANO RONALDO – PORTUGAL
Goals: 101. Games: 165.
One of the greatest players of all time and it looks like he’s going to beat Daei’s record with ease.
If it does, the record is likely to hold for years given the lack of modern stars near it on the list.
FERENC PUSKAS – HUNGARY AND SPAIN
Goals: 84. Games: 89.
The Real Madrid icon was unstoppable for Hungary in the 1950s, scoring 84 goals in 85 games.
He continued to play four times for Spain after obtaining Spanish citizenship, but failed to score.
KUNISHIGE KAMAMOTO – JAPAN
Goals: 80. Games: 84.
Kamamoto played for Samurai Blue for 13 years between 1964 and 1977 and scored a staggering 80 goals in 84 games for his country in that time.
GODFREY CHITALU – ZAMBIA
Goals: 79. Games: 108.
Chitalu is the most prolific African of all time with 79 points from 108 games.
He tragically died along with his international teammates during the 1993 air disaster in Zambia.
HUSSEIN SAEED – IRAQ
Goals: 78. Games: 137.
No one has scored more goals for Iraq than Saeed.
The only man in the club only participated in Al-Talaba, but also participated in the World Cup in Mexico ’86 and the 1980, 84 and 88 Olympics.
LEATHER – BRAZIL
Goals: 77. Games: 92.
Perhaps the best player who ever played football.
But while impressive, his 77 goals in 92 games for Brazil seem low.
However, far fewer internationals were played in Pele’s time, which explains this.
SANDOR KOCSIS – HUNGARY
Goals: 75. Games: 68.
Only player on the list with more goals than matches.
The former Barcelona player played alongside Puskas for Hungary in the 1950s and scored his 75 goals in just eight years.
BASHAR ABDULLAH – KUWAIT
Goals: 75. Games: 133.
The star forward burst onto the scene in the late 1990s.
He spent his entire club career in the Middle East and participated in three Asian Cups and the Sydney 2000 Olympics for his country.
SUNIL CHHETRI – INDIA
Goals: 72. Games: 115.
No player has scored or played more for India in their football history.
Chhetri, 36, still plays for Bengaluru in the Indian Super League.
[ad_2]