Scoring is the hardest, most valued craft in football, and a handful of players have made it look inevitable. We weighed sheer volume, the level of the opposition and the moments that mattered most — the finishers who bent whole eras around the back of the net.

1. 1

   Cristiano Ronaldo

   Portugal · Forward

   The most prolific scorer in the recorded history of the men’s game, past 900 career goals across four countries and every stage that matters.

2. 2

   Lionel Messi

   Argentina · Forward

   More than 800 goals and the most ever for a single club at Barcelona, scored with a consistency that defies belief.

3. 3

   Pelé

   Brazil · Forward

   Three World Cups and a career tally he counted past a thousand; the benchmark every scorer since has been measured against.

4. 4

   Gerd Müller

   Germany · Striker

   Der Bomber — 365 Bundesliga goals and 68 in just 62 games for West Germany, the ultimate penalty-box predator.

5. 5

   Ronaldo Nazário

   Brazil · Striker

   O Fenômeno at his peak was unplayable; two World Cups won and a blend of power and touch no defender could contain.

6. 6

   Ferenc Puskás

   Hungary · Forward

   The Galloping Major fired the Mighty Magyars and then Real Madrid to glory with a left foot of pure venom.

7. 7

   Romário

   Brazil · Striker

   A cold, brilliant finisher who dragged Brazil to the 1994 World Cup and claimed a thousand goals of his own.

8. 8

   Robert Lewandowski

   Poland · Striker

   The most complete striker of the modern era, rewriting Bundesliga records — including five goals in nine minutes.

9. 9

   Eusébio

   Portugal · Forward

   The Black Panther, top scorer of the 1966 World Cup and Benfica’s greatest goalscorer of all.

10. 10

    Josef Bican

    Austria / Czechoslovakia · Striker

    Statisticians credit the pre-war marksman with more career goals than almost anyone who has played the game.

A LeaguePaper editorial ranking — opinion, offered for argument.