Who is the highest‑scoring soccer player of all time?

All three AI models agree that Cristiano Ronaldo is the all‑time leading goal scorer in men’s football.

Career Goal Total

• Official tallies place Ronaldo’s combined club and international goals above 950 goals ¹²⁵.
• Earlier counts cited “over 900” goals, but the most up‑to‑date databases (e.g., FIFA, RSSSF, UEFA) now list the figure in the mid‑950s, reflecting his continued scoring into the 2024‑25 season.

International Record

• Ronaldo holds the record for the most goals scored for a men’s national team, with 143 goals for Portugal ⁴.

Recognition

• These numbers are recognised by major statistical compilations such as the List of footballers with 500 or more goals ¹ and sports‑media analyses ²⁵.
• The record is widely reported in reputable outlets (Talksport, Sports Illustrated, Touch Hall of Fame) and is accepted by governing bodies as the benchmark for all‑time scoring.

Why the figure varies

• Goal counts can differ slightly depending on the inclusion criteria (e.g., official competitive matches vs. friendlies, goals in lesser‑known competitions).
• The consensus among sources is that Ronaldo has surpassed the 950‑goal mark, making him the clear leader over other historic greats such as Pelé, Josef Bican, and Lionel Messi.

Bottom line: Cristiano Ronaldo remains the highest‑scoring player in the history of professional soccer, with a career total that now exceeds 950 goals and an unmatched international tally of 143 goals.