Frank Lampard is the highest-scoring midfielder in the 21st century defeating the likes of Ronaldinho, Kaka, and Gerrard. The former Chelsea and England star had a prolific career as a central midfielder. However, it might be surprising for anyone to see him outscoring legends like Ronaldinho. On that occasion, we will reveal to you the Top 10 highest scoring midfielders in the 21st century. These exclusive football facts were made with the help of stats from Fifa and Goal.com.

Top 10 highest scoring midfielders in the 21st century

#1 Frank Lampard 261 Goals

The former midfielder of England and Chelsea has scored 261 goals in his career. He had played more matches than anyone on this list. Lampard has featured in 843 games. His goal-scoring ability and shooting skills had made Chelsea one of the best teams during the 21st century. He is Chelsea's and Premier Leagues' one of the greatest ever players and midfielders. He has scored 147 goals for Chelsea Football Club. However, Chelsea has sacked Lampard as the head coach/ manager of the club.

#2 Stephen Gerrard 206 Goals

Lampard's mate in the England dressing room and captain of the arch-rival Liverpool team, Gerrard is games one of the best leaders. Gerrard was also known for his long shots and set pieces. During his long stay at Liverpool from 1998-2014-15, Gerrard scored 120 goals for them. He is also the only player to score in an FA Cup Final, a League Cup Final, a UEFA Cup Final, and a UEFA Champions League Final, winning on each occasion.

Read Also: Top 10: Most Free-kick Goals In Football History

#3 Rafael van der Vaart 194 Goals

The former Dutch superstar was a bit different from the above two midfielders. Vaart was an attacking midfielder and was known for his playmaking abilities. Vaart had played for many leagues and teams throughout the world. His stay at Ajax and Real Madrid were the most famous ones. However, he was quite successful with the Hamburger SV as well. Vaart had scored 194 goals throughout his career as a midfielder.

Also Read: Erling Haaland: Top 10 fastest to 20 UEFA Champions League goals

#4 Marco Reus 187 Goals

Marco Reus of Germany is the only active player in the top 5 of our list of highest scoring midfielders in the 21st century. The 31-year-old Borussia Dortmund player is known for his versatility, speed, agility, technical skills, intelligence, and shooting ability. His finishing skill by far one of the best in the world. Rues was adjusted as the Best German Footballer in the year 2013. Although lots of injuries in his career have been a problem for him. However, with the game left in him, he can surely get close to Lampard and Gerrard on this list.

#5 Ronaldinho 169 Goals

Known for his dribbling skills, a genius-like game-making brain, and that big smile, Ronaldinho is regarded as one of the best the game has ever produced. The former Brazilian and Barcelona star was an attacking midfielder. However, he could also play as a winger if needed. Ronaldinho won two FIFA World Player of the Year awards and a Ballon d'Or. Ronaldinho was so good that he was the only Barcelona player after Diego Maradona to receive a standing ovation from the Real Madrid fans at Santiago Bernabéu. He finished his career with 169 goals as a midfielder.

#6 Michael Ballack 169 Goals

One of the greats of German football, Michael Ballack was known for his physicality, power, and range of shots. Ballack has played 565 games in his career and managed to score 169 goals in that period. His stay at the Bayern Munich and Chelsea Football Club was the highlight of his career. Ballack won the German Footballer of the Year award three times – in 2002, 2003, and 2005 during his stay at Bayern Munich.

#7 Kaká 161 Goals

Football's one of the most liked personalities ever, Kaká was renowned for his controversy-less lifestyle. Although it was his football skill that made him one of the stars of the game. AC Milan has inducted him as one of their Hall Of Fames for his contribution towards the club's success. Kaká won the 2007 Ballon d'Or which made him the only player to win the award in spite of Messi and Cristiano being nominated too. He is also one of eight players to have won the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League, and the Ballon d'Or. If it was not for the injuries, he would have finished higher on our list of highest-scoring midfielders in the 21st century.

#8 David Silva 148 Goals

Regarded as Premier League's one of the most technical midfielders ever, David Silva is one of the best of this generation. His passing skill, possession-retaining quality was relentless during his time at Manchester City from 2010-2020. In 2019 he became the youngest player to win 200 premier league games. Silva is mainly a left-footed player with an attacking mindset. He is also Spain's fourth-highest goalscorer of all time. His combination with Xavi and Iniesta was unbeatable in the international arena.

#9 Marek Hamšík 147 Goals

The former Napoli captain is one of the most underrated footballers in football history. Hamšík is also an attacking mid-fielder who showed his class during his period at Napoli from 2007–2019. His 521 appearances in all competitions during his 12 seasons with the team, is a record. He is also Slovakia's highest-ever scorer and most capped player. Hamšík is known for his leadership skill, and hunger for goals from the midfield position.

#10 Christian Eriksen 142 Goals

Another underrated player in an era filled with great superstars. Eriksen has played in three different clubs in the top leagues of the world. He started at Ajax, then moved to Tottenham Hotspur where he is considered as one of the club's greatest. In 2020 he moved to Inter Milan to conquer new challenges. During his seven years at Tottenham Hotspur, he was named the club's Player of the Year in the 2016–17 season and was included in the 2017–18 PFA Team of the Year. Due to his goal-scoring ability from the mid-filed, Tottenham Hotspur was able to reach UEFA Champions League Final in 2019.

FIFA is reportedly considering the possibility of arranging a one-game play-off between Major League Soccer (MLS) club Los Angeles FC and Liga MX giants Club America to decide which team will represent the expelled Club Leon at the 2025 Club World Cup.  

🤯🇲🇽 BREAKING: FIFA has drawn up plans to hold a one-game playoff between Club America and LAFC to determine a replacement team for Club Leon at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. 🇺🇸🏆

Via @lizzy_becherano - @espn pic.twitter.com/ZVFSfcZPZ6

— All Fútbol MX 🇲🇽 (@AllFutbolMX) March 30, 2025

A FIFA spokesperson disclosed on Sunday that the organization is actively weighing the feasibility of this play-off match, whereas the winner of this playoff would also receive $9.55 million in prize money given by FIFA to teams qualified from the Concacaf zone.

However, FIFA's consideration does not include the Costa Rican side Deportiva Alajuelense after the club lodged a complaint in 2024, which led to Leon's subsequent removal from the tournament.

Read Also | FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Draw: Groups, Format, and Schedule

The controversial exclusion of Club Leon

Costa Rican outfit Alajuelense’s complaint regarding the multi-ownership issue initiated the investigation by the FIFA Appeal Committee back in November 2024, which eventually led to Club Leon’s exclusion.

FIFA announced the decision to expel the Mexican side Club Leon from the expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup 2025 last week due to the club's shared ownership with Pachuca, another team that competes in Mexico's top division, Liga MX.

TODOS LO GANAMOS, JUNTOS LO DEFENDEMOS.

Más unidos que nunca.#SerFieraEsUnOrgullo 🦁 pic.twitter.com/BEXp7VbCjl

— Club León (@clubleonfc) March 31, 2025

Pachuca also qualified for the Club World Cup after winning the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup, while Club Leon earned its qualification after clinching the 2023 edition of the same tournament. However, Grupo Pachuca owns both the teams and holds stakes in Spanish side Real Oviedo and some other clubs as well.

This joint ownership violated the multi-club ownership requirements defined under Article 10, paragraph 1 of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Regulations outlined by FIFA.

FIFA is considering a play-off game to replace Leon

According to different sources, FIFA is considering an unconventional approach to organize a single play-off game to determine which team would replace Club Leon in the competition.

Renowned football journalist Ben Jacobs has indicated a showdown between Club America and Los Angeles FC is on the cards, with the winner securing the coveted last place in the Group D, consisting of Chelsea, Flamengo, and Esperance.

The FIFA spokesperson stated the following on Sunday:

LAFC would participate as runner-up to Club Léon in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League through which Club Léon had qualified, Club América would participate as the top-ranked team in the FIFA Club World Cup confederation ranking through which qualification is also determined.

The winner of the play-off would qualify unless legal proceedings rule otherwise.

The plans to commence the process of arranging a play-off will begin if Club Leon loses their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to be reinstated to the Club World Cup.

CAS has called for a hearing on April 23 in Madrid, Spain, where Leon and Deportiva Alajuelense both will be presented the opportunity to put forward their arguments. Alajuelense had previously filed the complaint at CAS, asserting that León's inclusion was against FIFA regulations as they have also claimed a spot in the tournament instead.

Read Also | Costa Rican side Deportiva Alajuelense demand Club World Cup spot following Club Leon's exclusion

Both clubs must submit their legal documents by April 2, prior to the hearing on the 23rd. Any announcements concerning a possible substitute will likely not be made until the legal issues are settled.

"I think it's a grave injustice": James Rodriguez expressed his disappointment

The exclusion of Club Leon has heavily affected the Mexican side's talisman player, the Colombian star James Rodriguez. The former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder did not hesitate to express his disappointment regarding this decision. He said:

I think it's a grave injustice. We all believe that. We won on the pitch. The club and the players are hurt by this. If we're out, it's not fair. The team that would replace us would be stained, and football would be stained.

So many fans have planned to travel to the tournament; how do you tell them that they can't go? I have a lot of questions about all this. It's odd. I think FIFA has to get their things together. Football is stained by this. 

ESPN revealed that when asked about qualifying for the tournament, Club América head coach Andre Jardine assured his team's eagerness to earn the spot by battling on the field. According to him:

León should go to the Club World Cup. I'm sad for the institution, and I'd like them to find a solution so they can go,

"If it doesn't happen, then América has been doing things well for a long time. It's true that they haven't yet won the Concacaf Champions Cup, which is a dream of ours and a very clear objective.

"We're leading most of the Mexican tournaments and the Concacaf ranking, which is one of the criteria. If you ask me if I want to go to the Club World Cup, of course it's true, but I'd like to go to the Club World Cup by achieving it on the field. That's what we're working towards.

However, nothing has been finalized yet, and FIFA will also have to wait until the CAS hearing is able to curve out any solutionary measure. 

Read Also | FIFA announce Club World Cup 2025 prize money: USD 1 billion pool, winner to get record USD 125 million

FIFA has announced a lucrative financial reward for the 32 participating teams in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup 2025, set to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025.

The ultimate governing body of the football world had already announced a whopping USD 1 billion prize pool for the tournament earlier. On March 27th, Wednesday, FIFA confirmed that the champions of the newly-structured global club competition can take home a record prize money of USD 125 million.

Read Also | FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Draw: Groups, Format, and Schedule

FIFA has also announced a solidarity plan to elevate the current financial status of football around the globe, as FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed the target of an additional 250 million USD being provided to club football across the world.

FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Prize money distribution

FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced the financial rewards and the solidarity programme to help club football in a statement on Wednesday. Infantino stated the following:

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 prize money has been announced.

The winners will earn up to 125 USD million, with USD 1 billion of prize money going to the 32 participating clubs and a target of USD 250 million in solidarity for club football across the world. Critically, all revenue will be distributed to club football with FIFA’s reserves remaining untouched.

The distribution model of the FIFA Club World Cup reflects the pinnacle of club football and represents the biggest-ever prize money for a football tournament comprising a seven-match group stage and playoff format.

In addition to the prize money for the participating teams, there is an unprecedented solidarity investment programme which will undoubtedly provide a significant boost in our ongoing efforts in making football truly global.

Finally, FIFA will neither retain any funding for this tournament, as all revenues will be distributed to club football, nor will it touch FIFA’s reserves, which are set aside for global football development through the 211 FIFA Member Associations.

The prizes for the tournament will continue to increase as performance bonuses are paid, with a total of $475 million being divided according to the teams' performances. This will mean that the team who has the most wins in a possible seven matches will be able to take a share of a maximum prize fund of $125 million.

The format of this tournament has been professionally structured by FIFA along with the European Club Association (ECA) so that due payment can be made based on the stature and success of the teams taking part. Therefore, the competition will become the richest club tournament ever arranged in a seven-match format.

Significantly, top European teams will get a minimum of $40 million, with South American teams getting $15.21 million. Teams from CONCACAF, CAF, and AFC will all get at least $9.55 million, while Oceania teams will receive $3.58 million.

Indian Football fans are set to witness an unforgettable night as Football Plus Academy officially launches ticket sales for the highly anticipated Brazil All-Stars vs India All-Stars match, featuring FIFA World Cup-winning Brazilian football icons. The historic showdown will take place on March 30, 2025, at 7:00 pm IST at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai.

This unique event will mark the first time that members of Brazil's legendary World Cup-winning squad, including Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Cafu, and Coach Dunga-will play on Indian soil. The match promises to be a grand spectacle, as the Brazilian greats take on the star-studded India All-Stars team, led by the legendary coach Prasanta Kumar Banerjee. 

Confirmed lineups for Brazil all-star vs India all-star pic.twitter.com/Po2IvZN6TM

— Subhajit Majumder 🇮🇳⚽ (@SubhajitM24) March 19, 2025

Brazil All-Star:

Goalkeepers:

• Heurelho da Silva Gomes
• Diogo Gill de Oliveira

Defenders:

• Claudio Roberto de Silva
• Gilberto Silva
• Edmilson
• Jenilson Angelo de Souza

Midfielders:

• Jose Kleberson Perirera
• Giovanini Silva de Oliveira
• Ricardo Oliveria
• Rivaldo
• Marcleo Fernando Domingues de Rezende (Camanducaia)
• Elivelton

Forwards:

• Paulo Sergio
• Viola
• Jorginho
• Amaral
• Lucio
• Ronaldinho

Manager:

• Dunga
• Alexander Ferro

India All-Stars:

Goalkeepers:

• Subhasish Roychowdhury
• Karanjit Singh

Defenders:

• Mehtab Hossain
• Deepak Kumar Mandal
• Mahesh Gawali
• Mehraj Uddin Wadoo

Midfielders:

• Ravanan Dharmaraj
• Pradeep NP
• Syed Rahim Nabi
• Climax Lourenco
• Arnab Kumar Mondal

Forwards:

• Alvito D'Cunha
• Venkatesh Shanmugam
• Mohan Raj
• Bibiano Fernandes
• IM Vijayan

Manager:

• Prasanta Kumar Banerjee

Ticket Details:

Tickets are available exclusively on Book My Show from Sunday, March 2, 2025, at 4 pm IST with limited tickets available.

Rivaldo's reaction:

“I am coming to share an unforgettable experience. On March 30th, I’ll be there to create truly special moments with all of you. It’s going to be an incredible experience"

Brazilian legend Rivaldo also shared his enthusiasm for the match, promising Indian fans an unforgettable experience and looking forward to creating special moments on the pitch. 

Former Brazilian striker Ronaldo Nazario, 'the phenomenon' named some of his colleagues, footballing legends and icons among his list of the 11 best players ever. Former Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Juventus stars are on the list.

In this special article, we explore the greatest football XI as per Ronaldo Nazario.

The greatest football XI as per Ronaldo:

1. Pele
2. Lionel Messi
3. Diego Maradona
4. Zico
5. Romario
6. Cristiano Ronaldo
7. Marco Van Basten
8. Zinedine Zidane
9. Luis Figo
10. Rivaldo 
11. Ronaldinho

1. Pele

Ronaldo Nazario grew up in Brazil in the 80s, it is not a surprise that he picked Pele. While Ronaldo Nazario was too young to watch Pele play live, his legacy is still to this day within the football world. For many Brazilians, Pele will always be the Greatest of all time.

2. Lionel Messi

Ronaldo has often spoken highly of the Argentine forward, and it is not a surprise that he named Lionel Messi as one of the best players of all time.

Ronaldo Nazario said the following during an interview in 2020:

Messi is out of this world. He’s great. I like him much more than any other player. Everything he does is spectacular.

3. Diego Maradona

Ronaldo was born in 1976; he would have seen Diego Maradona in action during his development years and it is no surprise that the Argentine genius made such an impression on him. In reverse, Diego Maradona was always very complimentary of Ronaldo.

In 2018, Maradona said:

“If it were not for the injuries, Ronaldo would have been the best of all time.”

4. Zico

Zico spent the majority of his career playing in his native country for Flamengo. He enjoyed a brief spell in Europe with Udinese but only spent two years playing in Italy before he returned to Brazil.

The Former Brazilian midfielder also earned 71 caps for Brazil and scored 48 goals on the international stage. Despite never winning the World Cup, he is still considered one of the greatest players in the country’s history.

5. Romario

Ronaldo played a total of 19 games alongside Romario for Brazil and the pair combined for 12 goals during their time together. 

Ronaldo told Bobo TV during an interview in 2022.

In 1997, I was an important player already. I had already won the Ballon d’Or. 

During the training retreat for the Copa America, Romario suddenly told me: ‘Get ready, we go out tonight, don’t worry.’

He had prepared a ladder to climb over the hotel’s wall and there was a taxi waiting for us on the other side.

We returned at five am and I was exhausted the following day in training. I understood that Romario did it on purpose to tire me out and take my spot in the starting XI.

6. Cristiano Ronaldo

While Ronaldo Nazario neglected Cristiano Ronaldo from his three greatest players of all time, he still names the Portuguese forward in his best XI.

Ronaldo Nazario told ESPN: 

Cristiano has an incredible career; he has scored in every way possible and successfully adapted to different positions. He is undoubtedly one of the best, but not the greatest.

7. Marco Van Basten:

There can be no denying that the three-time Ballon d’Or winner ranks among the greatest players of all time. At club level, the Dutchman scored a whopping 283 goals in just 379 appearances for Ajax and AC Milan. Like Ronaldo, Van Basten had to retire his career short because of injuries.

8. Zinedine Zidane

During their time together at Real Madrid, Ronaldo played 139 games alongside Zinedine Zidane and the pair combined for 31 goals during that time. Considered by many to be the greatest midfielder of all time, it is no surprise that the Frenchman cuts into Ronaldo’s elite list.

9. Luis Figo

Ronaldo shared a close bond with Luis Figo during his playing days as the pair played alongside each other at Barcelona and Real Madrid. In fact, throughout Ronaldo Nazario's career, only Iker Casillas and Roberto Carlos played more games with him than Figo played.

The former Portuguese winger won 22 trophies throughout his career and undoubtedly ranks as one of the best players of his generation.

10. Rivaldo

Rivaldo was also recognized by Nazario as one of the best players of all time. Former Brazilian international won the Ballon d'Or in 1999. While they never played together at club level, they did make 46 appearances alongside each other when playing for the national team.

11. Ronaldinho

The last name that Ronaldo gave when naming the best players of all time was Ronaldinho. A fellow Ballon d’Or and World Cup winner, this list would feel incomplete without the legendary attacking midfielder. The pair made 39 appearances together for Brazil and won the World Cup and Copa America together.

Over the years, many footballers have accumulated huge numbers of goals and assists in every season, putting up all-round performances for both their club and country.

The all-time football greats such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are always present in almost every football stats like these, proving the sheer dominance they created over the years. 

However, there are many former players as well, who have racked up plenty of goals and assists to lead their respective teams to coveted success, but we often miss their names. 

Sportz Point attempts to delve into football facts which include the world-class footballers who accumulated the most goal contributions in a single season since the year 2000.

Most Goal Contributions in a single season since 2000

10. Roy Makaay | 51 in 2004-05 

Former Dutch international Roy Makaay registered 51 goal contributions in 48 matches for his club and country in the 2004-05 season.

Makaay, who was Bayern Munich's one of the most crucial players that season, scored 34 goals and delivered 17 assists to top the charts.

• Total G+A: 51
• Season: 2004-05
• Club: Bayern Munich
• Matches: 48
• Goals: 34
• Assists: 17

9. Thierry Henry | 56 in 2002-03

Hailed as one of the greatest goalscorers ever in football, Thierry Henry made 56 goal contributions in the 2002-03 season while playing for Arsenal.

The French striker netted 32 goals and provided 24 assists in 55 appearances across the season. Henry went on to prove himself as one of the most important puzzle pieces for Arsenal's golden period.

Interestingly, Henry made 20 assists in the Premier League that season, which is by far the highest number of assists provided in a single PL season, being the first player ever to register 20 assists.

• Total G+A: 56
• Season: 2002-03
• Club: Arsenal
• Matches: 55
• Goals: 32
• Assists: 24

8. Henrik Larsson | 61 in 2003-04

Henrik Larsson brought himself into contention with elite footballers in the 2003-04 season, when he accumulated 61 goal contributions for the Scottish side Celtic FC.

Larsson, the former Swedish international put up 41 goals and made 20 assists in 58 appearances across all competitions that season.

• Total G+A: 61
• Season: 2003-04
• Club: Celtic
• Matches: 58
• Goals: 41
• Assists: 20

7. Erling Haaland | 61 in 2022-23

Erling Haaland is currently one of the most feared strikers in world football. In a blockbuster move, the Norwegian forward signed for Manchester City ahead in the summer of 2022. 

Proving his worth, Haaland fired 52 goals and provided 9 assists in 53 appearances across competitions that season. The current City marksman also won the 2022-23 UEFA Best Footballer award for his monstrous performance.

• Total G+A: 61
• Season: 2022-23
• Club: Manchester City
• Matches: 53
• Goals: 52
• Assists: 9

6. Jardel | 63 in 2001-02

Mário de Jardel Almeida Ribeiro, who was commonly referred to as Jardel, cracked the headlines for making 63 goal contributions in 41 matches while playing for the Portuguese side Sporting CP.

The former Brazilian striker netted 55 goals and delivered 8 assists that season. Jardel also won the Portuguese Footballer of the Year award in 2002, despite being a foreign footballer.

• Total G+A: 63
• Season: 2001-02
• Club: Sporting CP
• Matches: 41
• Goals: 55
• Assists: 8

5. Kylian Mbappe | 64 in 2021-22

Kylian Mbappe shone like a diamond even after playing with stalwarts such as Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. at Paris Saint-Germain in the 2021-22 season.

The French superstar accumulated 64 goal contributions in 46 games that season, studded with 39 goals and 25 assists across all competitions.

• Total G+A: 64
• Season: 2021-22
• Club: Paris Saint-Germain
• Matches: 46
• Goals: 39
• Assists: 25

4. Robert Lewandowski | 65 in 2019-20

Robert Lewandowski was indeed a cheat-code for Bayern Munich in their historic sextuple-winning 2019-20 season.

Despite playing in the COVID-affected season, the Polish striker accumulated 65 goal contributions for the German side, netting 55 goals along with 10 assists in 47 appearances.

• Total G+A: 65
• Season: 2019-20
• Club: Bayern Munich
• Matches: 47
• Goals: 55
• Assists: 10

3. Cristiano Ronaldo | 68 in 2013-14

Cristiano Ronaldo is undoubtedly the greatest goalscorer who ever donned the shirt for Real Madrid, whereas he is also considered the Greatest of all-time by many.

The Portuguese sensation racked up a staggering 68 goal contributions for Los Blancos in the 2013-14 season. Ronaldo netted 51 goals and provided 17 assists in 47 games.

• Total G+A: 68
• Season: 2013-14
• Club: Real Madrid
• Matches: 47
• Goals: 51
• Assists: 17

2. Luis Suarez | 83 in 2015-16

Luis Suarez registered a huge tally of 83 goal contributions in the 2015-16 season, while playing for FC Barcelona.

The former Uruguay international is one of the greatest footballers to ever don the Blaugrana shirt. In 2015-16, Suarez fired an outstanding 59 goals and also provided 24 assists in 53 appearances.

• Total G+A: 83
• Season: 2015-16
• Club: FC Barcelona
• Matches: 53
• Goals: 59
• Assists: 24

1. Lionel Messi | 105 in 2011-12

Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest footballer ever, reached an inhuman number of goal contributions while playing for FC Barcelona in the 2011-12 season.

The Argentine legend registered 105 goal contributions, studded with an unbelievable 73 goals while also delivering 32 assists in 60 appearances.

• Total G+A: 105
• Season: 2011-12
• Club: FC Barcelona
• Matches: 60
• Goals: 73
• Assists: 32