FOOTBALL · ARENA ARCHIVE
Football Player Records
Ronaldo, Messi, Pelé — the numbers behind the legends.
| # | RECORD | HOLDER | FIGURE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Most men's international goals The first man past 100, then 110, 120, 130 — still adding to it. Men's internationals · 2004–present | Cristiano RonaldoACTIVE | 130+ |
| 2 | Most women's international goals Canada's captain — the highest total in international football, men's or women's. Women's internationals · 2000–2023 | Christine Sinclair | 190 |
| 3 | Most men's international caps The first player in history to 200 international appearances. Men's internationals · 2003–present | Cristiano RonaldoACTIVE | 200+ |
| 4 | Most Ballon d'Or awards Ronaldo's five is second — nobody else has more than three. Ballon d'Or · 2009–2023 | Lionel Messi | 8 |
| 5 | Most UEFA Champions League goals Mr. Champions League — 11 clear of Messi's 129. UEFA Champions League · 2003–2022 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 140 |
| 6 | Most goals in a calendar year Smashed Gerd Müller's 85 — a year of football from another planet. Club + country · 2012 | Lionel Messi | 91 |
Records change — last reviewed September 2026. Figures for active players move with every game.