Cristiano Ronaldo international goals: How Portugal striker’s world record stacks up against Lionel Messi and Pele

CRISTIANO RONALDO is the clear leader in the all-time rankings for international goals.

The Portugal captain, 37, is now up to it 118 strikes in internationals – a year after leapfrogging Iran legend Ali Daei on 109 goals.

The former Manchester United, Juventus and Real Madrid striker had been chasing the tally for his entire career – and finally overtook the magic mark in a 2-1 win against Ireland in September 2021, where he scored two late goals.

So confident was Ronaldo of beating the world record that he even TOLDthe Portuguese bench he would do it – scoring in the 89th and 96th minute after the Irish had taken a 1-0 lead.

Daei notched an incredible 109 goals in 140 appearances for Iran, before retiring from the game in 2006.

His record has stood for an impressive 14 years, and not even Lionel Messi or Neymar have come anywhere near it.

Robert Lewandowski can also hop into the top 10 scorers in history at the World Cup.

Poland face Argentina in their final match in Group C.

Most international goals in football history

1. Cristiano Ronaldo* – Portugal – 2003 to present – 118 goals
2. Ali Daei – Iran – 1993 to 2006 – 109 goals
3. Lionel Messi* – Argentina – 2005 to present – 95 goals
4. Mokhtar Dahari – Malaysia – 1972 to 1985 – 89 goals
5. Ferenc Puskas – Hungary/Spain – 1945 to 1962 – 84 goals
6. Sunil Chhetri– India – 2005 to present – 84 goals
7. Ali Mabkhout – UAE – 2009 to present – 80 goals
8. Godfrey Chitalu – Zambia – 1968 to 1980 – 79 goals
9. Hussein Saeed – Iraq – 1977 to 1990 – 78 goals
10. Robert Lewandowski* – Poland – 2008 to present – 78 goals
11. Pele– Brazil – 1957 to 1971 – 77 goals

*Player due to play at this year’s World Cup