List of world association football records

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This article features a list of men's professional FIFA records in association football, in any football league, cup, or other competition around the world, including professionals, semi-professionals, and amateurs unless otherwise stated. Friendly club matches are generally not eligible for the records. The article includes comprehensive statistics on official football leagues worldwide in general, without taking league rankings or coefficients into account. The statistics apply only to first teams, figures for reserve teams and youth teams are not included unless otherwise stated.

These records are divided based on whether they relate to players, coaches, clubs, or stadiums.

Players

As of 17 May 2026

Goals records

Most goals

Cristiano Ronaldo, the all-time top scorer in official football history, with over 970 goals.

Most goals in a year / season

Most goals in a match

Youngest and oldest goalscorers

Free kicks

Note: Includes direct free kicks only; excludes indirect free kicks.

Headers

By method

Others

Appearances records

Most appearances

Fábio, the player with most appearances in official football history with 1,444 matches, is still active.

Most appearances in a year / season

Youngest and oldest

Others

Other players records

Assists

Lionel Messi, the player with the most assists in football history.

Notes: The criteria for an assist to be awarded may vary according to the source, the following stats is based on the assists criteria according to Opta, where assists are not counted for balls that are deflected or rebounded off opposing players and have clearly affected the trajectory of the ball and its arrival to the recipient (the goal scorer). Assists are also not counted for penalty kicks, direct goals from corners or free kicks, or own goals.

Titles

Goalkeeping

Ray Clemence holds the record for the most clean sheets in football history with 568.

Matches results

Trivia

Managers

Alex Ferguson is most decorated manager, with 49 titles.

Matches

Titles

Other records

Clubs and competitions

Honours

Longest streaks

Highest scores

Season records

Oldest

Others

Stadiums

See also

Notes

  1. [1]
    Including friendly matches and competitions.
  2. [2]
    Erwin Helmchen could have scored 870 club goals.
  3. [3]
    According to other sources, Bican could be the leader with 728 goals.
  4. [4]
    Including other categories than top-tier division, except regional and local leagues.
  5. [5]
    Erwin Helmchen scored 713 goals of which 690 in German regional leagues.[11]
  6. [6]
    Pelé scored the vast majority of his goals in Campeonato Paulista, but Série A still wasn't the top-tier league in Brazil in those years. If we exclude that goals, Cristiano Ronaldo would be the record holder with 598 goals.[14]
  7. [7]
    Ian Rush scored 98 goals combined between national cup and league cup.
  8. [8]
    Erwin Helmchen scored at least 667 goals with PSV Chemnitz in official matches; it's very likely that due to the lack of reliable information he hasn't surpassed officially the amount Messi reached but actually he did it.[22] Counting all matches in one club, Gerd Müller scored 1256 goals for Bayern Munich.[23][24]
  9. [9]
    805 goals in 530 games played.
  10. [10]
    According to RSSSF, Erwin Helmchen leads this category with 1.71 goals per game. Other sources mention Fernando Peyroteo with 1.77 goals per match but they only count his goals in Portuguese First Division National Championship.
  11. [11]
    Godfrey Chitalu is claimed to have scored 109 official goals in 1972 for Kabwe Warriors and Zambia. However, the officiality of this tally is disputed.[30][31][32][33] Other sources, such as FIFA, name Pelé as the best in this category with 127 goals scored in 1959, but this amount includes goals in friendly matches.[34]
  12. [12]
    This tally includes 35 goals at regional and local cups, which are in any case official competitions.
  13. [13]
    At top-level football, excluding regional and local competitions, the most widely recognized record is Lionel Messi's 73 goals for Barcelona during the 2011–12 season.[38][39] Godfrey Chitalu is also claimed to have scored 97 official goals in the 1972 season for Kabwe Warriors. However, the officiality of this tally is disputed.[30]
  14. [14]
    9 goals scored in 2007 CAF Champions League and 10 goals in 2007 CAF Confederation Cup.
  15. [15]
    Vivian Woodward scored 25 goals in 1909 including 14 goals for England national amateur football team.
  16. [16]
    Torres scored in Premier League, FA Cup, Football League Cup, FA Community Shield, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.
  17. [17]
    Mbappé scored in La Liga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa de España, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Intercontinental Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
  18. [18]
    Ömer Temel scored 22 goals in his team Alemania 1890 II's 25–0 victory over Steglitz GB II in the Kreisliga C 2 Berlin (11th tier) on 26 May 2019. The match was not completed in the second half because the opposing team withdrew to avoid further heavy defeat in the scoreline, but the result was still counted.[51] However, it was not recognized as a record since it occurred between reserve teams.
  19. [19]
    Pedro Ribeiro Lima scored a goal in 2007 Campeonato Paraibano at the age of 58.[59]
  20. [20]
    Stanley Matthews was 194 days younger when he last played in 1963–64 FA Cup scoring his last ever professional goal.[61]
  21. [21]
    This match was not a full international (instead termed a "Victory international"). The U.S. Virgin Islander Keithroy Cornelius could be the record holder with a goal scored against Curaçao national football team with 43 years and 196 days.[63]
  22. [22]
    The Cook Islands Round Cup is the top division of the Cook Islands Football Association, so Matapo is also the youngest goalscorer in a top-tier league match.
  23. [23]
    Other sources show Zico as the footballer with more free kicks scored in history with 101.[70]
  24. [24]
    Includes professional domestic competitions (mainly first and second tier), and excludes leagues below that level. It also includes major domestic competitions as well as continental and international tournaments. Does not include the preliminary rounds of cup competitions.
  25. [25]
    As of 2026, no confirmed case has yet been recorded of a player scoring four free kicks in a single match, even in lower divisions, regional leagues, or preliminary rounds.
  26. [26]
    Jorge Aravena is the only player to have scored three goals in a single match on two occasions, doing so with two different clubs.
  27. [27]
    Excluding shoot-outs.
  28. [28]
    The citated reference says literally "Peternac is still jointly holding the world record in top level football." but doesn't mention anyone else. However, it is proven that Zafer Tüzün also scored 4 penalty goals.[93]
  29. [29]
    Counting only top matches, Pelé with 92 hat-tricks is the record holder.
  30. [30]
    English goalkeeper Paul Bastock played 1,286 games in domestic club competition but this tally includes more than 149 games in regional tournaments.[127]
  31. [31]
    Including 210 games in Campeonato Mineiro and 85 games in Campeonato Carioca. If Brazil state leagues are not included, Peter Shilton would be the leader with the 848 games mentioned above.
  32. [32]
    753 games in Série A, 73 games in Série B and 10 games in Série C. Also including 210 games in Campeonato Mineiro and 85 games in Campeonato Carioca.
  33. [33]
    Including 7 games with Brazil Olympic team.
  34. [34]
    The Guinness World Records named, in 2023, David Mudge as the oldest competitive football player with 79 years and 89 days. Nevertheless, he took part in a Northern Suburbs Football Association match, which is an Australian non-professional competition.[141][142] Dickie Borthwick played his last game in December 2019 at the age of 83; he was member of a veterans league.[143] Former Serie A Italian goalkeeper Lamberto Boranga played a game at the age of 83 in Italian seventh tier.[144]
  35. [35]
    Israeli goalkeeper Isaak Hayik had entered the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest football player of all time at the age of 73 in 2019, playing a game in the Israeli fourth tier.[148] In 2020, Egyptian Ezzeldin Bahader broke Hayik's record playing a game in Egyptian third tier at the age of 74.[149] Neither of them are professional players because they did not take part of the squad for the whole season. As Uruguayan fourth tier is an amateur competition, others mention Kazuyoshi Miura (b. 1967) in Japanese third tier[150] or even Mykola Lykhovydov (b. 1966) in Ukrainian third tier as the oldest professional players.[151] Last but not least, Pedro Ribeiro Lima played his last game at the age of 66 in 2014 for Perilima in Campeonato Paraibano Second Division.[152]
  36. [36]
    Salvador Reyes played the first 50 seconds of a Primera División de México Clausura 2008 match at the age of 71 but it was a tribute. He had been retired since he was 36.[158]
  37. [37]
    The Sercquiais Barrie Dewsbury played a game with 52 years and 11 days in 2003 but Sark football team is not recognised by FIFA.
  38. [38]
    Not taking into account Ronnie Brunswijk's record at the age of 60 in 2021 CONCACAF League which is very controversial due to match fixing suspects.
  39. [39]
    Mathieu Enguérran Edjekpan is claimed to be the youngest ever international footballer according to some sources, making his debut with Benin national team at the age of 13 years and 213 days, but his date of birth is not clear. Gali Freitas is claimed by the AFF to have debuted with East Timor on 1 September 2018 in a match against Brunei, aged 13 years and 244 days. However, there is controversy whether he was born in 2004 or in 1996.[62][165] Souleymane Mamam is claimed by FIFA to have debuted with Togo in 2021 in a FIFA World Cup qualifier match, aged 13 years and 310 days. However, there is controversy whether he was born in 1987 or in 1985.[166][167] Abel Josiah Samson was also supposed to have played an international match with Tanzania national football team at 14 years old.[168] Unofficially, Abdinur Mohamud, who made his debut at the age of 14 years and 59 days for Somalia in 2011, is the record holder.
  40. [40]
    He is also the youngest footballer to ever take part in a professional football match.
  41. [41]
    Casciaro has played a total of 37 seasons if one counts Lincoln's different youth teams.
  42. [42]
    Robert Carmona holds the Guinness World Record for the longest football career, but his career includes amateur teams, having started his junior career in 1976 and his senior career in 1980.[176]
  43. [43]
    George Weah, James Debbah and Giorgos Koudas had an international career span of 32, 31 and 27 years long respectively, but they all were given a farewell cameo appearance several years after their retirement. Billy Bohan, who played for the non-FIFA and non-UEFA Alderney official football team, had an international career of 27 years and 339 days.
  44. [44]
    Not including 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship and 2008 Olympic Games, which are not top-level.
  45. [45]
    It includes only the main domestic competitions: the domestic league championship, the primary national cup, the super cup, and continental competitions. It does not include regional tournaments, exhibition competitions, or secondary domestic cup competitions.
  46. [46]
    Rogério Ceni won Copa Libertadores, Copa CONMEBOL/Copa Sudamericana (both), Supercopa Libertadores, Recopa Sudamericana, FIFA Club World Cup and Intercontinental Cup for São Paulo.
  47. [47]
    Ángel Romano won six South American Championships (record) and one Olympic Gold medal. Both Scarone and Nasazzi won four South American Championships, two Olympic Gold medals and one FIFA World Cup title. Ochoa won six CONCACAF Gold Cups (record) and one CONCACAF Nations League.
  48. [48]
    Mazarópi's récord was in Campeonato Carioca.
  49. [49]
    Not including penalty shoot-outs.
  50. [50]
    Some sources claim that Lev Yashin saved as many as 150 penalty kicks during his career;[205] however, this figure is widely considered to be a myth that originated in the 1960s as part of Soviet-era propaganda and later exaggerations intended to enhance his reputation. In reality, records from official matches indicate that he saved 12 out of the 38 penalties he faced.[206]
  51. [51]
    It does not include penalty kicks that were missed without a goalkeeper's save, such as those sent wide by the taker or those that struck the woodwork.
  52. [52]
    This does not include retaken penalty kicks for any reason, such as an infringement in execution, the goalkeeper leaving the goal line, or players encroaching into the penalty area before the kick. For example, in the match between Grêmio and Palestino Santiago in the 2026 Copa Sudamericana, a penalty was awarded to Grêmio in the 10th minute and was retaken twice; on all three occasions, the kicks were saved by the Palestino goalkeeper.
  53. [53]
    Sebastián Abreu has the Guinness World Record with 32 different teams, because the majority of the teams recognised to Frontini are in any case top-level clubs.[226][227] On the other hand, Englishman Jefferson Louis played for 42 different teams but his record is not recognized.[228]
  54. [54]
    The leg was tied after an overtime and they continued playing until a goal was scored. Landa scored and the game finished.[236]
  55. [55]
    Tommy Ross holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest hat-trick scored on 28 November 1964 within 90 seconds.[239]
  56. [56]
    Wilhelm Huxhorn broke the record for the longest goal in football history (103 meters) but his goal is not recognised as the longest by Guinness World Records.
  57. [57]
    Cristiano scored more than 100 goals for all the clubs in which he played in but for Sporting CP where he only took part in 31 games.
  58. [58]
    Lángara won top scorer award with Real Club España in Mexico (CONCACAF) in 1944, 1946, Real Oviedo in Spain (UEFA) in 1934, 1935, 1936 and San Lorenzo in Argentina (CONMEBOL) in 1940.
  59. [59]
    With Manchester United (Premier League) in 2008; with Real Madrid (La Liga) in 2011, 2014 and 2015; with Juventus (Serie A) in 2021 and with Al Nassr (Saudi Pro League) in 2024.
  60. [60]
    Campeonato Carioca in 1986, 1987, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000; Eredivisie in 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91; La Liga in 1993–94; Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in 2000, 2001 and 2005; USL First Division in 2006.
  61. [61]
    If we don't count Brazil state leagues, Josef Bican would be the record holder with 14 top scorer awards. He won Austrian Championship in 1934; Czechoslovak First League in 1938, 1939, 1946, 1947, 1948 and 1950; Bohemian/Moravian league in 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943 and 1944; Czechoslovak Second League in 1949 and 1952. He was awarded IFFHS Golden Ball as the greatest goalscorer of XX Century for that reason.[248]
  62. [62]
    Imre Schlosser won 10 consecutive top scorer award in Hungarian National Championship between 1908 and 1917 but 1914 and 1915 Championships are considered unofficial due to the World War.
  63. [63]
    Paulo da Silva left Paraguayan club Atlántida in 1995 and returned in 2024, after 29 years.
  64. [64]
    Post-World War II, Frenchman Guy Roux coached at least 1,747 games for AJ Auxerre.[253]
  65. [65]
    Vanderlei Luxemburgo would be the leader with 1,510 games if we count State football leagues in Brazil.
  66. [66]
    In two different periods, 1988–1990 and 2006–2021.
  67. [67]
    Willie Maley won 63 titles including fourteen Glasgow Cups and nineteen Glasgow Charity Cups, which are regional tournaments.
  68. [68]
    Stábile won the Copa América with Argentina (1941, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1955, 1957), the Pan American Games (1951, 1955) and the Panamerican Championship (1960).
  69. [69]
    It does not include the 1980 Drybrough Cup final, nor the 1990 FA Charity Shield, which ended in a draw between the two teams.
  70. [70]
    Simunić came to coach six different teams in a single year (2000).
  71. [71]
    Rudi Gutendorf holds the Guinness World Record for being in charge of 55 teams in 32 countries spanning six continental associations. Among them, he coached 18 different national teams but he only contested in official matches with 9 of them.[266][267]
  72. [72]
    Otto Rehhagel played for Hertha BSC until 1965 and coached the club in 2012, making a 47 years span between both calls.
  73. [73]
    2 CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions, 3 FIFA World Cups, 1 FIFA Confederations Cup, 1 Panamerican Championship, 16 Copa América.
  74. [74]
    Some sources don't count this streak as a record because it comes from low-rated leagues; Arkadag itself has also been controversial since its fundation.[285] The official record belongs to Al Hilal with 34 consecutive wins.[286][287]
  75. [75]
    Chao Pak Kei went unbeaten in their streak from 10 April 2019 to 9 July 2023, spanning 79 consecutive matches. This included 67 matches in the Liga de Elite (Macao League) and 12 matches in the Taça de Macau (Macao Cup), with no participation in any continental or other official domestic competitions during this period. However, it is possible that the record is ultimately 70 rather than 79 matches, due to the non-recognition of the 2020 Liga de Elite as an official competition.[296] That season consisted only of the first half of the league (nine matches), which was played before delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The tournament appears not to be considered an official league season. Nevertheless, based on the results of that season, the team, along with Benfica de Macau, obtained an AFC license for participation in the following season's 2021 AFC Cup, before both clubs withdrew prior to the draw.[297] As such, the official status of those matches remains a matter of debate.
  76. [76]
    Some sources don't count this streak as a record because it comes from low-rated leagues.[298][299]
  77. [77]
    Alderney official football team had a losing streak of 97 matches between 1921 and 2003, but their team it's not recognised by FIFA.
  78. [78]
    The match was fixed, so we could add some other records in lower divisions worldwide.[312]
  79. [79]
    54 penalties were needed to determin the winner of the match.
  80. [80]
    Football World Championship, a competition between English and Scottish club champions, was created in 1886 but it was considered an exhibition association football match and it wasn't held annually.
  81. [81]
    More than 20,000 at the District stage; only 50 of them are part of the National stage. On the other hand, more than 5,000 teams participate in the French Cup every year, which is the largest competition worldwide.[338]
  82. [82]
    Only two clubs contest the league: the Woolpack Wanderers and the Garrison Gunners, playing each other eighteen times every season.
  83. [83]
    The championship is played out in a tournament between the champions of the nine islands.
  84. [84]
    Due to the war in Sudan, the club has played in Mauritania and Rwanda; consequently they won several league titles in Sudan, one league title in Mauritania and one league title in Rwanda.
  85. [85]
    On, 30 March 1946. It was a Division Three North Cup replay, after the first game ended 2–2 and as it would turn out, 203 more minutes could not yield a victor. Tied once more at 2–2 after 90 minutes, the game between Stockport and Doncaster then went into extra time, but 30 more minutes were insufficient, with the two teams unable to score in that time period. The 'play to win' rule was commonplace in English football during the wartime period of the 1940s and it was a form of 'golden goal' – in essence, 'next goal wins'. Stockport thought they had clinched the winner on the 173rd minute but the goal was disallowed.
  86. [86]
    On 11 December 1994, Grêmio played three matches on a single day during the 1994 Campeonato Gaúcho, with kick-off times of 2PM, 4PM, and 6PM, due to their extensive schedule. They won two and drew the third match, using a total of 34 different players.
  87. [87]
    They have never played an official match in Oceania, where an international competition has never been held.
  88. [88]
    None are members of FIFA but Kiribati and Niue are associate members of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC). Kiribati haven't won any of their 11 games played in history, and they have not played a match since 2011, whereas the Marshall Islands have only played 2 matches, both in the 2025 Outrigger Cup, losing both, and Niue also playing only 2 in the 1983 South Pacific Games, losing heavily to Papua New Guinea and Tahiti. Nauru is expected to start playing for the 2028 Micronesian Games and Vatican City has only played 9 official games in more than 30 years.
  89. [89]
    Honorary mention.
  90. [90]
    The stadium opened in 1804 but it was not until 26 December 1860, that the world's first inter-club football match was played at the ground.
  91. [91]
    Since it was remodelled in 2014 the official capacity is 114,000 spectators, which is also a record for a football pitch, but the stadium is still expandable up to 150,000.
  92. [92]
    It was barely used for football matches and it only had 56,000 individual seats. It also had a field three times as long and three times as wide as the standard association football pitch.
  93. [93]
    Despite holding the Guinness World Record, it is uncertain to ensure there were such amount of spectators that day. The same institution contradicts itself.[357] According to other sources, there are other matches which are the record holders.

References

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