Portugal star Christiano Ronaldo beat the International record of Pele, of number of goals and has been ranked 5thon the list of top international goal scorers. The footballer scored 3 goals in a World Cup qualifier match, against Faroe Islands, on Sept.1.
The former Iranian footballer, Ali Daei, still holds the first place on the podium with 109 goals followed by Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas, former Japanese football player Kunishige Kamamoto, Godfrey Chitalu, former Zambian national team forward and Hussein Saeed, former Iraqi National team player.
However, players standing on the leader board are not active right now, so it is an open window for all those active players, who are in the same race.
Although it depends on the performance of a national team and the number of opportunities they get, there are some players who are working hard, and eyeing the same goal as Ronaldo.
David Villa
The Spaniard, David Villa, who has played for the national team since 2005, has scored 59 international goals in 97 matches. According to rumors, Villa was supposedly retired after 2014 World Cup but he did not announce his retirement officially. He had played in Euro and FIFA World Cup as a main striker of the national squad. Villa was the top scorer of the team who won Euro 2008. After 2 years he appeared in 2010 World Cup and achieved a Silver Boot.
Lionel Messi
The 30-year-old, Argentine forward, Lionel Messi, is standing behind Villa with 58 goals. Although he had an opportunity to play for Spain, Messi's international debut was in 2004 with Argentina Under-20 team. The left-footed forward was titled the youngest player from Argentina,to have played and scored in the 2004 World Cup. He also represented his country in Copa America and won a gold medal in 2008 Olympic Games. Messi also holds a Guinness World Record as the top goal scorer in 2012 with 91 goals for his club and country.
Clint Dempsey
The forward and winger from United States national team, Clint Dempsey shares his position on the leader's table with Landon Donovan. He has scored 57 goals for his country . Dempsey started his international career in 2002 and represented United States at 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship. He is known as the first male American footballer to have scored in 3 World Cups.
Sunil Chhetri
Indian National Team captain, Sunil Chhetri, has scored 54 goals in 94 games. He is also the captain of the Indian national team. Chhetri made his debut with the Under-20 team of India. The Striker also helped the team to win 2007, 2009 and 2012 Nehru Cup. Under his captaincy, in 2008, the team won the AFC Challenge Cup and qualified for the first AFC Asian Cup. All India Football Federation presented him with the "AIFF Player of the Year" title in 2007, 2011, 2013 and 2014.
