Players ‘who have scored more goals’ than Ronaldo, Messi

There has been a fierce competition between Messi and Ronaldo for the past fifteen years or so. They both accomplished all that was required of a top-tier football player—they carried their teams on their backs, scored and assisted goals, and won a ton of trophies. They are both without a doubt recognized by many as the two best players to have ever played the game.

The most noteworthy aspect of their career goals total is how many they have scored. While Ronaldo claims an incredible 900 goals, Messi only has an equally insane 839.

There are arguments, nevertheless, that certain athletes have scored higher totals during their careers. The inadequate data and records available at the time may have prevented the figures from being reported.

It is why a football body known as Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF) has ranked Ronaldo and Messi as fourth and fifth-placed, respectively, after three other players.

Let’s take a look at them:

3. Ronnie Rooke

Ronnie Rooke’s name might sound totally strange compared to other legendary classic players who have played in the Premier League. But the truth is that the forward played for English clubs such as Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Fulham and a host of others between 1929 to 1961.

Across these years, he was recorded to have scored over 900 goals in 1030 appearances.

2. Joseph Bican

Unlike Rooke, a normal football lover would have heard of the legend of Joseph Bican. He was rated alongside the likes of Brazilians Pele and Romario in terms of goalscoring.

RSSF estimates that Bican actually scored more than 700+ goals, approximating a figure up to 950 goals.

1. Erwin Helmchen

Just like Rooke, who could have thought this unfamiliar name would be topping the chart, according to RSSSF?

Helmchen played most of his career football for PSV Chemvnit and scored more than 450 goals in just 232 appearances. The German striker would then go on to score more than 980 goals in a total of 582 appearances, his career spanning between 1924 and 1951.