Hello and Welcome to SportzPoint for another UEFA Euro 2024 Live. The Quarter-Final match between Portugal and France will kick off at 12.30 am IST. Stay tuned for all the live updates. We will see World Cup Champion Kylian Mbappe representing his nation France against his idol, the Eternally Charismatic Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in Hamburg.

France and Portugal both have disappointed their fans with lackluster football. France have failed to score a single goal from open play until now in this edition of the Euros. Somehow, they are still in the Quarter-Finals. France beat Belgium by 1-0 in the Round of 16 and that goal too came off an Belgium player.

On the other side, Portugal haven't played well except the game against Turkey. They struggled and ultimately lost their last group-stage match against Georgia but somehow managed to win the penalty shoot-out against a brave Slovenia side in the Round of 16 clash.

Read Also: Portugal vs France UEFA Euro 2024 Quarter-Final Match Preview, Head-to-head, Possible Lineups and Fantasy XI Prediction

Follow us on Twitter for all the updates on the upcoming matches. Subscribe to our newsletter to have the latest news on your favourite sport. 

As the most popular sport, football is watched and played by people all over the country, ranging from professional leagues, to youth teams, and even families in their yards. But how much do you really know about your favourite footballers? Do you know many famous footballers actually don't use their real names in their professional careers?

Many footballers' real names are distinctly different from what are effectively stage names they use for their professional careers. Many figures even choose to go by relatively shorter names to make it easier for people all over the world to remember them by.

Let’s go ahead and dive into some real names of famous footballers you probably don't know.

Also Read: 15 football records that might ever be broken

Real Names of Famous Footballers

1. Dele Alli

• Real Name- Bamidele Jermaine Alli

Dele Alli's full name is Bamidele Jermaine Alli. He does not use his full name professionally and instead goes by "Dele Alli". Dele Alli used to be a big name in the round leather game some years back. When he was 20, he was already considered as English football’s biggest rising star.

2. Raphinha

• Real Name- Raphael Dias Belloli

Raphinha's full name is 'Raphael Dias Belloli'. He does not use his full name professionally and instead goes by Raphinha. Raphinha is known for his skills in dribbling, pace, and creativity on the field. He currently plays as a winger for Leeds United in the English Premier League.

3. Moises Caicedo

• Real Name- Moisés Isaac Caicedo Corozo

Caicedo's real name is  'Moisés Isaac Caicedo Corozo'. He is an Ecuadorian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for the English club Chelsea from Brighton & Hove Albion and for the national team of Ecuador. He is a versatile player with ability to control the tempo of the game.

4. Cole Palmer

• Real Name- Cole Jermaine Palmer

Cole Palmer's full name is 'Cole Jermaine Palmer'. He is regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in the world. The English footballer plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Premier League club Chelsea and the England national team.

Also Read: Most International Goals by Active Players (2025)

5. Kaka

• Real Name- Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite

Kaka is arguably one of the defining footballers of his generation. The Brazilian was the last player to win a Ballon d'Or before the decade-long duopoly between Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Kaka has several major honours to his name, including a FIFA World Cup, a UEFA Champions League, and an endless list of individual awards.

6. Van Gaal

• Real Name- Aloysius Paulus Maria van Gaal

Van Gaal's full name is Aloysius Paulus Maria 'Louis' van Gaal. To some, He's one of the best managers of the past two decades, willing to sacrifice style for substance and flair for formality. To others, he’s an unnerving disciplinarian, an expert at alienating his players and fans. Whatever side of the fence you fall, few will doubt that Louis van Gaal is one of the most pragmatic managers in the modern game.

7. Fikayo Tomori

• Real Name- Oluwafikayomi Oluwadamilola Tomori

Oluwafikayomi Oluwadamilola "Fikayo" Tomori is an English professional footballer known for his defensive skill as a center-back, currently playing for Serie A club AC Milan and the England national team.

8. Cristiano Ronaldo

• Real Name- Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro

Cristiano Ronaldo aka Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro is still plying his trade in the professional game for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. However, he is already considered one of the greatest players of all time. Ronaldo has won five Ballon d'Or awards in his illustrious career, which is a record only bettered by a certain Argentine forward.

Also Read: 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World [2025]

9. Bukayo Saka

• Real Name- Bukayo Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka

Bukayo Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka is an English professional footballer who plays as a right winger for Premier League club Arsenal and the England national team. He is often hailed as one of the greatest football players in the world. 

10. Lamine Yamal

• Real Name- Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana

Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana, also known as Lamine Yamal, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a right winger for La Liga club Barcelona and the Spain national team. 

11. Pepe

• Real Name- Kepler Laveran de Lima Ferreira

Former Real Madrid star Pepe is quite commonly regarded as one of the best and most aggressive defenders of his time. The centre-back is still playing European football at the age of 38, and put in a string of magnificent displays in the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League. The Portuguese rolled back the years against Cristiano Ronaldo's Juventus with a breathtaking showing to knock them out of the UCL.

Hello and welcome to Sportz Point's another LIVE blog. 

Tonight we have the Real Madrid vs Osasuna match in La Liga 2025/26 as the 36-time Spanish champions look for a perfect start to the season under new coach Xabi Alonso.

Real Madrid, last season's runners-up in the league, did not have a great season overall under Carlo Ancelotti and will look for a fresh start this season. 

Read Also: Mallorca vs FC Barcelona, La Liga 2025/26 Highlights: Barcelona win by 3-0 against 9-men Mallorca

In the meantime, Osasuna missed Champions League qualification despite finishing well last season. They will hope for a top-five finish this season, and doing well against a team like Real Madrid will do wonders for them.

This is Barnali Debnath, who will bring you all the LIVE updates of the match, including the build and post-match analysis. So, stay tuned and enjoy the coverage. 

In 2025, some of the world’s top athletes are earning huge amounts of money through their sports, brand deals and businesses. These athletes come from football, basketball, golf and other popular games. Their earnings include salaries, match winnings and endorsements from big companies. Let’s take a look at the top 10 highest-paid athletes in the world and see how much they are earning.

Also Read: Women in Sports: Highest-paid women athletes in the world [2025]

10 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World

10. Kevin Durant | $101.4M

Kevin Durant’s Suns may not have made the playoffs, but his financial game stayed elite. His total earnings combine a $51.4 million salary with $50 million in off-court earnings through Boardroom Media and investments in Paris Saint-Germain.

He even has a soon-to-debut Netflix docuseries. His tequila brand, real estate moves, and a collaboration with Fanatics round out a sharp portfolio.

9. Shohei Ohtani | $102.5M

Though his Dodgers salary is deferred, Shohei Ohtani still walked away with $2.5 million in earnings plus postseason bonuses. But the reason he made it to this top-earners list is his headlining brand power.

Out of the total $102.5 million, $100 million came from endorsement deals across Japan and the U.S. That includes New Balance, Seiko, Beats by Dre, and a record-breaking Topps trading card sale.

8. Karim Benzema | $104M

The first footballer to enter the top 10, and for the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner, most of Karim Benzema's earnings have come from his hefty salary from his contract with Al-Ittihad, where he earns over $2 million a week, resulting in a $100 million annual salary. 

Sponsors like Adidas remain loyal, even as he embraces a quieter lifestyle far from the European spotlight. Rumors now swirl about a possible shift to Major League Soccer as the 2026 World Cup nears.

7. Juan Soto | $114M

Juan Soto shattered expectations after signing a jaw-dropping 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets, even by baseball’s high-spending standards. His on-field take hit $109 million. And thanks to the buzz he generated, the Mets’ ticket sales surged following his signing. 

At just 26, Juan’s popularity and endorsements by the likes of Call of Duty and top Dominican brands have made him baseball’s financial poster boy, earning $114 million this year.

6. LeBron James | $133.8M

LeBron James has amassed $133.8M, appearing in the sixth position. After more than two decades in the NBA spotlight, LeBron is still making history, not just on the court but also in his bank account.

While his Lakers stint earned him $48.8 million in salary, the larger story is off-court. His production company, SpringHill, is scaling up through a major merger, and he inked a deal to become the first athlete turned Ken doll.

5. Lionel Messi | $135M

Although he is the second-highest paid soccer player, Lionel Messi only ranks as the fifth-highest paid athlete. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner brought home $135 million.

To millions of people, Messi will forever be soccer’s GOAT. Naturally, his arrival in Major League Soccer wasn’t a mere player acquisition for Inter Miami but a transformative event for the league’s global standing. While his $60 million salary is a substantial figure, his endorsements with Adidas and Apple, alongside his own Mas+ beverage, earn him even more, around $75 million.

Also Read: 20 Highest-Paid Footballers in Saudi Pro League History

4. Dak Prescott | $137M

Dak Prescott, American professional football quarterback who plays for the Dallas Cowboys, earns $137 million this year. This quarterback-turned-financial-play-caller knows how to read a market as well as a defense. 

First, Prescott made history with a contract structure that paid him $127 million in salary and bonuses within 12 months. Next were endorsements with Jordan Brand and Lowe’s that added another $10 million to his name. He’s also building a gym empire in Texas via Crunch Fitness partnerships.

3. Tyson Fury | $146M

Boxer Tyson Fury claimed third place with $146 million. Despite losing his world heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk in December, Fury's income has been boosted by partnerships promoting Maltese tourism and his Netflix reality show named “At Home With the Furys.”

2. Stephen Curry | $156M

Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry comes 2nd on the list of highest-paid athletes of the year, earning $156 million. Curry became the first NBA player to reach 4,000 career three-pointers in March this year. 

Of Curry's $156 million haul, $100 million comes from off-court dealings, including a major extension with Under Armour’s Curry Brand. He’s invested in everything from hydration startups to women’s basketball leagues. On the hardwood, he still drains threes while mentoring future stars at Davidson, where he now serves as an assistant GM.

Also Read: Most International Goals by Active Players (2025)

1. Cristiano Ronaldo | $275M

For the third year in a row, and the fifth time overall, Cristiano Ronaldo is the world’s highest-paid athlete. At age 40, the Portuguese soccer superstar is reaching new highs.

Over the past 12 months, counting both his playing salary at Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr and his off-field business endeavors, Ronaldo collected an estimated $275 million before taxes and agent fees - the third-best year by an active athlete ever measured by Forbes. On that all-time list, Ronaldo is surpassed only by boxer Floyd Mayweather, who earned $300 million in 2015 and $285 million in 2018.

Whenever a new transfer window arrives, with more money coming into the game, we see more spending and expensive buys from clubs around the world. However, along with experienced and proven footballers, football clubs always tend to buy new, exciting teenage footballers, even before they become stars.

Today, in this article, we will list the 20 most expensive teenagers in football transfer history.

20 Most expensive teenagers in football transfer history

Please note that the fee is based on Transfermarkt's data and is accurate as of August 7, 2025.

20. Javier Saviola – River Plate to FC Barcelona – 2001 – €35.90m (Age 19)

Javier Saviola's transfer to FC Barcelona from River Plate was the record fee for any teenager till it was later broken by Wayne Rooney. After scoring 24 goals in 41 matches, besides his 11 assists for River Plate, while winning the Argentine league in consecutive years, Saviola became the star FC Barcelona were looking for.

However, the transfer did not work that well for both him and the club as he was loaned out many times and went to play for Real Madrid in future as well. Saviola was recently the assistant manager of the Barcelona U19 team as well.

19. Josko Gvardiol – Dinamo Zagreb to RB Leipzig – 2021 – €36.8m (Age 19)

A Croatian defensive prodigy, Gvardiol impressed with his versatility and speed by playing as a ball-playing centre-back and left-back. His performances for Dinamo Zagreb and Croatia’s national team stirred RB Leipzig to break their transfer record.

Along with skill, Josko Gvardiol's physical strength and tactical intelligence made Leipzig pay €36.8m for the defender in 2021.

Two years later, Leipzig sold Gavrdiol to Manchester City for a whopping €90.00m.

18. Wayne Rooney – Everton to Manchester United – 2004 – €37m (Age 18)

One of England’s greatest ever talents, Rooney was signed for a then-record fee for a teenager. His all-around attacking prowess, vision, and finishing skill justified the huge investment.

In the 2003/04 season for Everton, Rooney had already scored nine goals in the Premier League as a teenager, which made Sir Alex Ferguson sign the youngster for a record €37m.

Rooney became Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer with 253 goals in 559 official games, winning five Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy.

Read Also: Most Premier League titles as a player

17. Luke Shaw – Southampton to Manchester United – 2014/15 – €37.5m (Age 18)

A highly rated left-back, Shaw was signed for his blend of strong defensive skills and speed. He was seen as the next big defender from England after John Terry, as he had done quite well at Southampton and England U-21s then.

Luke Shaw was bought by Manchester United in 2014 with a transfer fee of €37.5 million, making him one of the most expensive teenage footballers ever.

Despite serious injury setbacks, he has developed into a dependable member of United’s backline since then and continues to be a member of Ruben Amorim's team.

Two years ago today, @LukeShaw23 signed for #mufc. We can't wait to see him back in action! pic.twitter.com/uHXr6q10Pt

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 27, 2016

16. Yankuba Minteh – Newcastle United to Brighton – 2024 – €38.8m (Age 19)

A direct, pacey Gambian forward, Yankuba Minteh, earned his big move as Brighton always invests in young, aggressive talents to shape their Premier League competitiveness and future development.

Newcastle United were the first to sign him, but sent him on loan to Feyenoord, where he scored 11 goals and had five assists. Brighton then signed him permanently in the 2024/25 season, for €38.8m, making him one of the most expensive teenagers in football transfer history.

Last season, he had 12 goal contributions for Brighton in the Premier League.

In 2024, Sportz Point named Minteh among the top 10 future stars of the Premier League.

In case you missed the big news overnight... 😜 Yankuba Minteh is an Albion player! 💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/hA9HVaeHc6

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) July 1, 2024

15. Dejan Kulusevski – Atalanta to Juventus – 2019/20 – €39m (Age 19)

Dejan Kulusevski, the Swedish winger, scored 10 goals and assisted 9 times in Serie A in the 2019-20 season, leading Juventus to pay a premium to have him in the Winter transfer window.

Although he was brought to Turin with a €39m transfer fee from Atalanta BC, he was soon loaned out to Parma and Tottenham Hotspur. In 2023, he was eventually bought by Spurs with a transfer fee of €30.00 million.

14. Fabio Silva – Porto to Wolves – 2020/21 – €40m (Age 18)

Portuguese striker Fabio Silva came with impressive youth goal-scoring records for FC Porto U19 and the FC Porto team from the 2018-2020 season. Seeing his talent, Wolves paid a significant fee of €40m, hoping that his technical finishing and physicality would translate well into Premier League success.

However, he was soon loaned to various clubs. Last season, he joined the team after spending a season at UD Las Palmas on loan.

13. Vitor Roque – Athletico Paranaense to FC Barcelona – 2024 – €40m (Age 19)

Barcelona acquired Roque to bolster their attack during a rebuilding phase. Known for his goal instinct, technical skill, and agile movement, Roque had scored 21 goals in 45 games for the Brazilian club Paranaense to attract a €40m bid from the Catalan club.

However, after only 2 goals in 16 games for the Spanish, he was sent back on loan to Real Betis and eventually signed for Palmeiras last season.

12. Archie Gray – Leeds United to Tottenham Hotspur – 2024 – €41.25m (Age 19)

A promising English defensive midfielder, Archie Gray, made a high-profile resume after winning the U21 Euros and doing well for Leeds United.

This helped Tottenham sign him for €41.25m in 2024 as they continued to focus on developing young home-grown talent.

Archie played 28 Premier League and 11 Europa League games for Spurs in his first season at the club.

Read Also: Most goal contributions in every season since 2001 [Updated]

11. Jorrel Hato – Ajax to Chelsea – 2025 – €44.18m (Age 19)

Dutch defender Jorrel Hato, who came through Ajax’s ranks, secured a big move to Chelsea. With Enzo Maresca and Chelsea’s long-term strategic vision for rebuilding their defence, Hato was supposed to be the next big thing for the Blues.

The left-back has a knack for scoring and contributing to goals as well. He had eight goal contributions in the 2024/25 Eredivisie for Ajax.

Read Also: Premier League Stats: Top 5 defenders with the most goals

10. Franco Mastantuono – River Plate to Real Madrid - 2025 - €45m (Age 18)

With a €45 million coming on 14th August 2025, Argentine U21 star Franco Mastantuono is all set to be the most expensive teenager in the football transfer window of the 2025/26 season.

The right-winger had a successful 2024/25 season with River Plate, scoring seven times in 22 games along with four assists, which led him to make his senior debut for Argentina as well.

9. Vinicius Jr. – Flamengo to Real Madrid – 2018 – €45m (Age 18)

Real Madrid and Brazilian youngsters have always been a love affair made in heaven. After scoring 10 goals and assisting four times in 32 goals for Flamengo in the 2017-18 season, Vinicius Jr.’s electrifying pace, dribbling, and flair made him a valued acquisition for Real Madrid.

Vinicius was brought to Real Madrid for €45m, which made him one of the most expensive teenagers in world football of the last decade.

Despite a slow start, he developed into a key player, helping Madrid win three La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies.

Read Also: Players with the most Champions League titles

8. Rodrygo – Santos to Real Madrid – 2019 – €45m (Age 18)

As I was saying, Real Madrid and Brazilian teenage stars stand in a love affair made in heaven.

Following Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo was signed to strengthen Real Madrid’s attack with a versatile winger capable of playing across the frontline. Rodrygo had already done well for Santos in the previous season, which caught the eyes of Los Blancos, and soon he was signed for €45m

Since then, he has won three La Liga titles and two Champions League titles with the club, while scoring 68 crucial goals and providing 51 assists.

Read Also: Most Champions League titles won by Football Clubs

7. Endrick – Palmeiras to Real Madrid – 2024 – €47.5m (Age 18)

Now it would be boring for you if I repeated the same thing. But what can I do if we have three back-to-back, same transfer patterns on our list of the most expensive teenagers in football transfer history?

Hailed as one of Brazil’s brightest prospects, Endrick’s prolific youth scoring and sharp finishing caught the eye of Real Madrid.

Endrick was brought to Bernabeu by Carlo Ancelotti after he helped Palmeiras win the Brazilian league in successive previous seasons.

6. Anthony Martial – Monaco to Manchester United – 2015 – €60m (Age 19)

🗓️ On this day in 2015...

Anthony Martial introduced himself to Old Trafford with THAT goal against Liverpool on his #MUFC debut 🥲🫶pic.twitter.com/2pbOF0B6F3

— Stretford Paddock (@StretfordPaddck) September 12, 2024

Martial’s dazzling speed, dribbling, and flair from France made Manchester United break their teenage transfer record. After a great season with AS Monaco, where he scored 12 goals and provided five assists, United broke every record to bring him to Old Trafford.

He had an immediate impact with 17 Premier League goals in his debut season, though injuries and form fluctuations have tempered his career since.

5. Leny Yoro – Lille to Manchester United – 2024 – €62m (Age 18)

Manchester United invested heavily in Leny Yoro’s defensive attributes, physicality, and maturity beyond his years. Yoro was signed by United under Erik ten Hag for €62m, a record transfer fee for a teenage defender.

He still continues to be one of the pillars of the United defence under new boss Ruben Amorim.

4. Romeo Lavia – Southampton to Chelsea – 2023 – €62.1m (Age 19)

Belgian midfielder Romeo Lavia’s combination of technical skill, tactical intelligence, and defensive contributions enticed Chelsea to pay a club-record fee of €62.1m for a teenager.

Lavia was first discovered by Manchester City, where he flourished for the Manchester City U-21 and U-23 teams. Then, he did well for Southampton to be able to attract a large bid from Chelsea.

3. Matthijs de Ligt – Ajax to Juventus – 2019 – €85.5m (Age 19)

Matthijs De Ligt captained a young Ajax side to the 2018/19 Champions League semifinals and even scored a decisive goal for them in the quarter-finals. Juventus rewarded him with one of the highest fees ever for a teenage defender when he was bought for a record fee for a teenage defender, €85.5m.

After spending seasons with Juventus and FC Bayern Munich, the defender signed for Manchester United in 2024, under former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.

Read Also: European treble winners in men's football history

2. Joao Felix – Benfica to Atletico Madrid – 2019 – €127.2m (Age 19)

Touted as a generational talent, Joao Felix was signed as a creative attacking replacement for Antoine Griezmann by Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a club record €127.2 million.

Felix had scored 20 goals in 43 games for Benfica, along with 11 assists, before joining the Spanish club. However, he could not justify the price tag and soon found himself playing for different clubs.

At 25, he has now signed for Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr FC.

Read Also: Reliving Barcelona's Golden Era: A Tribute to Footballing Brilliance

1. Kylian Mbappe – Monaco to Paris Saint-Germain – 2018 – €180m (Age 19)

Kylian Mbappe's transfer from AS Monaco to PSG in 2018 is still the most expensive football transfer for a teenager.

Mbappe's blistering pace, clinical finishing, and football intelligence at such a young age had already made him a star.

Read Also: Top 12 players with most hat-tricks in football in the 21st century

In the 2016/17 season, Mbappe scored 28 goals and had 14 assists in 46 games for Monaco, which had set him up as one of the greatest footballing talents on earth. Among those 28 goals, 6 were in the Champions League in just 9 games.

Monaco have agreed to loan Kylian Mbappe to PSG with an option to sign him for €180m next summer. Medical tomorrow. (Source: L'Equipe) pic.twitter.com/cXSjQRva3K

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 27, 2017

PSG thought of Mbappe as an investment as they looked to win the UEFA Champions League for the first time.

PSG’s record fee of €180m paid off as he became Ligue 1’s all-time top scorer, a World Cup winner, and one of the world’s best players.

Cristiano Ronaldo might be playing in Saudi Arabia these days, but he's still racking up records in Portuguese colours. Among male footballers, Ronaldo holds the record for most international goals of all time, as part of his enduring pursuit of titles and records. The 40-year-old also has most international appearances in the history of men's football after playing his 200th game for Portugal in June 2023. 

In this article, we'll look at the active football players with the most international goals.

Also Read: Messi vs Ronaldo: Who has scored the most non-penalty goals?

Most International Goals by Active Players (2025)

10. Edin Dzeko | 68 goals

Edin Dzeko is one of the most underrated strikers of his generation. The Inter Milan marksman is 39 years old but is still going strong. He has won the 'Bosnian Footballer of the Year' award three successive times in his career.

Dzeko has been quite prolific for his national team. He has scored 68 goals and provided 21 assists in his international career so far.

9. Harry Kane | 73 goals

Captain Harry Kane became the first player to score two goals on his 100th appearance for England. The striker scored his 67th and 68th international goals in the second half of the Nations League at Wembley over Finland, thundering an excellent strike in off the underside of the bar, then curling in a neat finish.

He also became just the third player to score on his 100th England appearance, after Wayne Rooney (versus Slovenia in 2014) and Bobby Charlton (against Northern Ireland in 1970).

Before kick-off, Kane was presented with a golden cap to mark the achievement, and also wore golden boots during the match.

8. Luis Suarez | 69 goals

Uruguay international Luis Suarez has had an illustrious career. He won the European Golden Shoe twice in the last decade and is widely regarded as one of the best centre-forwards of the 21st century.

Suarez, who recently led Uruguay to World Cup qualification, has scored 68 goals in his international career.

7. Neymar | 79 goals

Neymar Jr. is one of the most talented footballers we have seen in the 21st century. He is a joy to watch on the football pitch and is capable of producing moments of magic on a regular basis.

Neymar is one of the most innovative forwards of the modern era. He has been absolutely phenomenal for Brazil and is now surpassed Pele's goalscoring record for Brazil (77). Neymar has scored 79 goals and for the Brazilian national team so far in his career.

6. Robert Lewandowski | 85 goals

Robert Lewandowski is currently the most prolific goalscorer in Europe's top five leagues. The Bayern Munich striker has played some of the best football of his career in recent seasons.

Lewandowski has been a cut above the rest of his national teammates throughout his career. He has been a standout performer for Poland in recent years. The 36-year-old has scored 85 goals for Poland in international football.

Also Read: Top 12 players with most hat-tricks in football in the 21st century

5. Ali Mabkhout | 85 goals

Al Jazira and UAE legend Ali Mabkhout is a clinical finisher and as well as being one of his club's best scorers. However, he is also the United Arab Emirates' top international scorer of all time. He has a total of 85 international goals to his name. 

During the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter-finals, Mabkhout netted the only goal in a 1–0 victory over defending champions Australia, which helped his country qualify for the semi-finals. Mabkhout scored a hat-trick against Indonesia in a 5–0 win in 2019 to become UAE's all-time leading goalscorer.

4. Romelu Lukaku | 89 goals

Romelu Lukaku has been a beast in attack for Belgium's golden generation. He has consistently produced the goods for his star-studded national team and continues to do so.

Lukaku's form at club level may have fluctuated but he has maintained high standards in international football. The 32-year-old has scored 89 goals in his international career so far.

3. Sunil Chhetri | 95 goals

Sunil Chhetri is regarded as one of the best football players India has ever produced. In a career spanning over two decades, the centre-forward has won many individual as well as team accolades.

With 95 goals to his name in 154 international appearances, Chhetri is the third highest goal-scorer in international matches, only behind Portuguese ace Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi of Argentina.

Also Read: Every Indian Team Football Coach Since 1948

Since Sunil Chhetri’s first senior professional goal for Mohun Bagan in the National Football League season (2002-03), the Indian football great has notched up many goal-scoring feats for both club and country.

2. Lionel Messi | 112 goals 

Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers, has had a remarkable international career with Argentina. Messi, with 112 international goals, ranks second on the all-time top goal-scorers list, trailing only Ronaldo. Since his debut in 2005, Messi has earned 189 caps, leading Argentina to victories in the Copa America and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Argentina and Inter Miami star Lionel Messi can still catch Ronaldo for the record, if he plays on through to the 2026 World Cup and perhaps beyond.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo | 138 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo holds the world record for international goals, scoring 138 for Portugal since making his debut in 2003. He is also the all-time leading appearance-maker in men's international football, having played 221 games, eclipsing the previous record of 196 held by Kuwait's Bader Al-Mutawa against Liechtenstein on 23 March 2023, and marking the occasion with two goals. He has hit ten international hat-tricks, a record he shares with Lionel Messi.

Also Read: Every Manchester United records that may never be broken

Ronaldo broke the world record for international goals when he scored twice against the Republic of Ireland in Portugal's European Qualifier in Faro-Loulé on 1 September 2021, aged 36. He surpassed the existing world-record mark set by former Iran forward Ali Daei, the first man to claim a century of international goals. Lionel Messi joined the elite group on 28 March 2023.