Top Goal Scorers of the 21st Century

This graphic presents the leading goalscorers of the 21st century, spotlighting the players who have scored the most goals in world football since 2000. It starts with early-2000s icons such as Henry, Shevchenko, and Ronaldo Nazário, who dominated the game in the century’s opening years. As time progresses, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi surge ahead with extraordinary tallies, defining an era of unmatched rivalry and brilliance. Other major stars—including Ibrahimović, Suárez, and Lewandowski—also make a lasting impact, blending skill, consistency, and longevity. Year after year, the ranking reveals rises and declines in form, influenced by transfers, performance, and each player’s contributions on the field. A dramatic journey shaped by goals.

Players featured in this chart:
Shevchenko, Patrick Kluivert, Hernán Crespo, Rivaldo, Raúl, Hasselbaink, Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet, Sonny Anderson, Filippo Inzaghi, Alan Shearer, Pauleta, Michael Owen, Roy Makaay, Van Nistelrooy, Henrik Larsson, Jared Borgetti, Bernardo Romeo, Andriy Vorobey, Jardel, Mateja Kežman, Alexis Alexandris, Jan Koller, Richard Núñez, Van Hooijdonk, Wesley Sonck, Christian Giménez, Ronaldo, Ibrahimović, Samuel Eto'o, Fred, Ricardo Oliveira, Wayne Rooney, Luís Fabiano, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Lewandowski, Luis Suárez, Karim Benzema, Edinson Cavani, Hulk, Neymar, Edin Džeko, Sergio Agüero, Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku, Óscar Cardozo, David Villa, Huntelaar, Robbie Keane, Gonzalo Higuaín, Didier Drogba, Magno Alves, Dirk Kuyt, Liédson, Alex, Diego Forlán, Luca Toni, Miroslav Klose.