The average football fan has information of world cup goals but have you ever wondered what about to reach the world cup? Who has helped the most to confirm their nation’s spot in the world cup, because not all who qualify win the cup but whoever wins it qualified first.
7. Edin Džeko (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Age:39
- Matches played: 41
- Goals scored: 29
He is Bosnia’s all-time top scorer.He has captained the national team for many years, often carrying them in attack. Džeko was instrumental in leading Bosnia to their first-ever World Cup in 2014 (Brazil) — still their only appearance to date.
6. Luis Suárez (Uruguay)
- Age:38
- Matches played:64
- Goals scored:29
Suárez is Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer.Famous (and controversial) moment: his handball vs. Ghana in 2010 that sent Uruguay to the semifinals. He scored 3 goals in that World Cup, helping Uruguay finish 4th,their best result in 40 years
5. Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
- Age: 37
- Matches played:41
- Goals scored:32
All-Time Top Scorer: He is Poland’s record scorer.Captain since 2014, Lewandowski has been Poland’s talisman and often their only world-class outlet in attack.Carried Poland through crucial qualifying campaigns, especially for 2018 and 2022 World Cups
4. Ali Daei (Iran)
- Age:56
- Matches played:51
- Goals scored: 35
All-Time Iran Icon: He scored 109 goals in 149 caps, making him the world’s all-time leading scorer for nearly 20 years, until Cristiano Ronaldo broke his record in 2021. Captained Iran at the 1998 World Cup in France, their first appearance since 1978.
3. Lionel Messi (Argentina)
- Age:38
- Matches played:72
- Goals:36
All-Time Record: Argentina’s all-time leading scorer with 106+ goals in 186+ caps.2022 World Cup champion , scoring 7 goals. Played in 5 World Cups (2006-2022) — with 13 goals across them.
2. Carlos Ruiz (Guatemala)
- Age:45
- Matches played:47
- Goals:39
Guatemala’s all-time top scorer.Holds the record for most goals in World Cup qualifying (39) — now tied with Cristiano Ronaldo after his recent strike.Regarded as the greatest Central American international striker of all time by many analysts
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
- Age:40
- Matches played:49
- Goals:39
All-Time Record: Portugal’s all-time top scorer, the most in men’s international football history.Only man to score in 5 consecutive World Cups.Elevated Portugal from underdogs to trophy winners, inspired a generation, and cemented his place as one of the greatest in international football.
Conclusion
Its amazing to see that 6/7 of these players are currently active, showing their longevity and consistency much more than the previous generations.This list will be outdated everyday due to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi who score goals for fun.
Written by – Hubaish
