In this guide
1. Lionel Messi - Most Goals in a Calendar Year (91 Goals)2. Pelé - Most FIFA World Cups Won by a Single Player (3 FWCs)3. Just Fontaine - Most Goals Scored in a Single FIFA World Cup Tournament (13 Goals)4. Cristiano Ronaldo - Most International Goals (145 Goals)5. Rogério Ceni - Most Goals Scored by a Goalkeeper (131 Goals)6. Lionel Messi - Most Ballon d'Ors (8 Trophies)7. Lev Yashin - Only Goalkeeper to Win the Ballon d'Or8. José Mourinho - Longest Unbeaten Home Run by a Manager (3,284 Days)9. Kazuyoshi Miura - Oldest Professional Footballer (59 Years)10. Gerd Müller - Most Goals in Bundesliga History (365 Goals)11. Manchester City - Most Points in a Single EPL Season (100 Points)12. Lille - Most Goals Scored in a 34-Game Ligue 1 Season (102 Goals)13. AC Milan - Longest Unbeaten Streak in Serie A History (665 Days)14. Bayern Munich - Longest Run of Games Scoring in Bundesliga History (87 Games)15. Real Valladolid - Most Losses in a Single LaLiga Season (30 Losses)Will these records ever be broken?Frequently asked questionsThey say records are meant to be broken, but some records are truly unimaginable and can even be described as once-in-a-lifetime.
Here, we present 15 of the greatest footballing records: 10 held by legendary players and the remaining five focusing on an impressive feat in each of Europe's top five leagues. With the World Cup 2026 now under way across North America, and the likes of Messi and Ronaldo still adding to their tallies, every number below has been refreshed to where it stands in June 2026.
| # | Record | Holder | The number | Set |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Most goals in a calendar year | Lionel Messi | 91 | 2012 |
| 2 | Most World Cups won by a player | Pelé | 3 | 1958, 1962, 1970 |
| 3 | Most goals at a single World Cup | Just Fontaine | 13 | 1958 |
| 4 | Most men's international goals | Cristiano Ronaldo | 145 and counting | ongoing |
| 5 | Most goals by a goalkeeper | Rogério Ceni | 131 | career to 2015 |
| 6 | Most Ballon d'Ors | Lionel Messi | 8 | last in 2023 |
| 7 | Only goalkeeper to win the Ballon d'Or | Lev Yashin | 1 | 1963 |
| 8 | Longest unbeaten home run by a manager | José Mourinho | 3,284 days | 2002 to 2011 |
| 9 | Oldest professional footballer | Kazuyoshi Miura | 59 years | ongoing |
| 10 | Most Bundesliga goals | Gerd Müller | 365 | 1964 to 1979 |
| 11 | Most points in a Premier League season | Manchester City | 100 | 2017/18 |
| 12 | Most goals in a Ligue 1 season | Lille | 102 | 1948/49 |
| 13 | Longest unbeaten run in Serie A | AC Milan | 58 games | 1991 to 1993 |
| 14 | Longest run of games scoring in the Bundesliga | Bayern Munich | 87 games | 2020 to 2022 |
| 15 | Most losses in a LaLiga season | Real Valladolid | 30 | 2024/25 |
1. Lionel Messi - Most Goals in a Calendar Year (91 Goals)
In 2012, Lionel Messi ended the year with 91 goals! The Argentine icon scored 79 for Barcelona and 12 for Argentina, averaging more than seven goals a month - a stat you would find on a video game.
Why may this record never be broken?
Lionel Messi's numbers are alien, and to score seven goals a month is something us football fans may never get to experience again. Especially in the modern era of football, where injuries are more persistent, and rotation is key.
2. Pelé - Most FIFA World Cups Won by a Single Player (3 FWCs)
In 1970, Brazilian legend Pelé lifted his third FIFA World Cup, becoming the first player to win three of football's greatest trophies. Pelé is one of the greats to have played the beautiful game and was integral to Brazil's dominance from the 1950s to the 1970s.
Why may this record never be broken?
Nowadays, due to strong competition from every nation, it is extremely difficult to hold an FWC title. Additionally, players' spots are not always solidified; poor form or injuries are enough to make one lose out on a place. Your name is simply not enough anymore.
3. Just Fontaine - Most Goals Scored in a Single FIFA World Cup Tournament (13 Goals)
At the FIFA World Cup 1958 finals in Sweden, French striker Just Fontaine scored 13 goals, winning the Golden Boot in some style by setting one of the greatest records in a single World Cup tournament.
Why may this record never be broken?
The World Cup has now grown to a 48-team tournament, but that only means teams play one game extra, and only the sides reaching the final or the third-place play-off feel it. Both Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland are at the 2026 finals in North America, two of modern football's goalscoring machines, yet beating 13 still relies on a player going on a remarkable run all the way to the final. As of 24 June 2026, Lionel Messi leads this World Cup's scoring on five, miles off Fontaine's pace. In addition, nations have simply improved, meaning defences are tighter and harder to penetrate.
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4. Cristiano Ronaldo - Most International Goals (145 Goals)
Hitting the back of the net 145 times, Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the most international goals. This is an absolutely insane stat to achieve at the international level, and it is still climbing, with Ronaldo turning out for Portugal at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Why may this record never be broken?
Ronaldo is still playing, so expect this to keep rising. He scored a brace against Uzbekistan on 23 June 2026 to become the first man to find the net at six different World Cups, stretching his lead over second-placed Messi to 23 goals. Mbappé and Haaland are gaining slowly, but they are still a long way off the 145 tally. Also, Ronaldo's level of athleticism is something that may never be reached, with injuries recurring for many big stars.
| Rank | Player | Country | International goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 145 |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | 122 |
| 3 | Ali Daei | Iran | 108 |
| 4 | Sunil Chhetri | India | 95 |
| 5 | Mokhtar Dahari | Malaysia | 89 |
Figures as of 24 June 2026. Ronaldo and Messi are both still active at the World Cup 2026, while everyone below them on the list has long since retired.
5. Rogério Ceni - Most Goals Scored by a Goalkeeper (131 Goals)
That's right, there is a goalkeeper who has scored 131 goals in his career. His name is Rogério Ceni, a Brazilian goalkeeper who appeared over 1,000 times for São Paulo, even placing himself in the club's top 10 goalscorers of all time. His goals heavily consisted of penalties and free kicks; yes, Ceni was trusted to take free kicks.
Why may this record never be broken?
This is the type of record to bet on never being broken. The goalkeeping spot has evolved, with some head coaches utilising the position as a means to "play out from the back" and be involved in the buildup of play. But that is as far as it goes; no goalkeeper would be trusted to take penalties, especially free-kicks. Ceni was one of a kind.
6. Lionel Messi - Most Ballon d'Ors (8 Trophies)
Yes, Lionel Messi appears on this list for a second time. But as the Argentine is arguably the greatest footballer of all time, it is expected to hold unbreakable records. On 30 October 2023, Messi lifted his 8th Ballon d'Or for his standout performances in winning the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Why may this record never be broken?
Second to Messi is Cristiano Ronaldo, who won five Ballon d'Ors. The pair shared the top stage during the 2010s, performing at consistent levels no one had ever seen before, and we may never experience again. Winning eight Ballon d'Ors is going to be extremely difficult to beat, especially in a far more level field: Rodri took the 2024 award and Ousmane Dembélé won it in 2025, proof that the prize is now spread around rather than owned by one man.
| Player | Ballon d'Ors | Years won |
|---|---|---|
| Lionel Messi | 8 | 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 5 | 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 |
| Michel Platini | 3 | 1983, 1984, 1985 |
| Johan Cruyff | 3 | 1971, 1973, 1974 |
| Marco van Basten | 3 | 1988, 1989, 1992 |
7. Lev Yashin - Only Goalkeeper to Win the Ballon d'Or
In 1963, Lev Yashin became the first goalkeeper to lift the Ballon d'Or, and he remains the only man between the sticks to do so. Judged by UEFA panellists of sports journalists, Lev Yashin took the top spot with 73 points, a fair 18-point gap between second-place Gianni Rivera of Italy.
Why may this record never be broken?
For a goalkeeper to be given the Ballon d'Or will most likely never happen again, due to attackers and midfielders being viewed as the world's greatest players for their goalscoring and playmaking numbers. As Michael Owen once said, "It's easier to defend than it is to create."
8. José Mourinho - Longest Unbeaten Home Run by a Manager (3,284 Days)
José Mourinho is one of football's greatest ever coaches, and he holds the Guinness World Record for the Longest Unbeaten Home Run by a Manager. The Portuguese icon did not lose a home game for 3,284 days from 22 February 2002 to 19 February 2011. During this timeframe, he managed FC Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid, where he collected 18 titles.
Why may this record never be broken?
This is another one of those stats that are alien-like; something you would expect to find in the game, Football Manager. Mourinho was known for his impressive home defence, and this is something that we may never see again, with less focus on this mental side of the game.
9. Kazuyoshi Miura - Oldest Professional Footballer (59 Years)
Japanese star Kazuyoshi Miura is the oldest man to have played at a professional level of football. Now 59, King Kazu remains active on loan at Japanese third division side Fukushima United, with his current deal running to 30 June 2026. He has even spoken about wanting to keep playing until he turns 60.
Why may this record never be broken?
Miura is simply one of a kind; even Ronaldo has spoken about the possibilities of retiring in the next year or two. Additionally, Miura is an icon in Japan, and this type of opportunity would not be presented to an ageing footballer, especially in Europe, where there are other priorities.
10. Gerd Müller - Most Goals in Bundesliga History (365 Goals)
Whilst this is a very specific record in a league, it is fair to give credit to one of football's greatest forwards. German striker Gerd Müller holds the record for the most goals scored in Bundesliga history, tallying 365 goals in 427 league appearances.
Why may this record never be broken?
As well as the record, Müller's loyalty to Bayern Munich is something we may never see again alone. In modern football, many players like to be ambitious and attempt to move clubs in order to seek certain titles. In Müller's case, the German won it all and stayed at the club he loved most. Robert Lewandowski got closer than anyone during a decade in Germany, yet he still finished 53 goals short.
| Player | Bundesliga goals |
|---|---|
| Gerd Müller | 365 |
| Robert Lewandowski | 312 |
| Klaus Fischer | 268 |
11. Manchester City - Most Points in a Single EPL Season (100 Points)
The Premier League is known as the toughest league in the world due to the immense competition and strength within all twenty teams. In the 2017/18 season, Pep Guardiola won his first EPL title with Manchester City, collecting a grand total of 100 points, becoming the first and only team to achieve a century of points.
Why may this record never be broken?
This City side is referred to as "The Centurions", and it is some record to beat. Arsenal won the 2025/26 title and still finished 15 points short of it, taking 85 points to be crowned champions for the first time in 22 years. No side has gone near 100 since, which tells you just how far ahead of its time that City team was.
| Season | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | Manchester City | 100 |
| 2019/20 | Liverpool | 99 |
| 2018/19 | Manchester City | 98 |
| 2025/26 | Arsenal (champions) | 85 |
City's 100 is still the only century of points in Premier League history.
12. Lille - Most Goals Scored in a 34-Game Ligue 1 Season (102 Goals)
From the 2023/24 season, Ligue 1 has been an 18-team league, which has been the case in the past. One record that is going to be very difficult to beat in the 18-team format of Ligue 1 is Lille's 102 goals during the 1948/49 season, which is the most goals scored in a single season of the French top-flight.
Why may this record never be broken?
To beat this record, a French side must score more than three goals a game, which is a very difficult feat to beat. Whilst fans joke by saying Ligue 1 is a farmer's league, it is still quite a strong and competitive league. In any league, to score more than three goals a game is crazy!
13. AC Milan - Longest Unbeaten Streak in Serie A History (665 Days)
From 26 May 1991 to 21 March 1993, AC Milan went unbeaten in Serie A for a total of 665 days and 58 games. Managed by Fabio Capello, they hold the Guinness World Record for the Longest Unbeaten Streak by a Serie A team. During this time, Capello led AC Milan to an unbeaten 1991/92 league campaign, which many deem as one of the greatest teams of all time.
Why may this record never be broken?
AC Milan's record is going to be extremely difficult to beat; the closest was Juventus, who went 49 games unbeaten in Serie A under Antonio Conte. With the Serie A increasing in competition, it is going to get harder for teams to gain an unbeaten streak close to 58 games.
14. Bayern Munich - Longest Run of Games Scoring in Bundesliga History (87 Games)
Bayern Munich hold many of the Bundesliga's records, so we picked out one of the most interesting feats. That being the Longest Run of Games Scoring in Bundesliga History, having consecutively found the back of the net 87 times as a team.
Why may this record never be broken?
Whilst Bayern Munich are most capable of breaking their own record, we think they might have outdone themselves with this one. Scoring consecutively as a team for 87 games is incredible. Vincent Kompany's side already failed to break the record with a goalless draw against Bayer Leverkusen on 15 February 2025, so it is not as easy as it looks.
15. Real Valladolid - Most Losses in a Single LaLiga Season (30 Losses)
Only recently did Real Valladolid break the record for most losses in a single LaLiga season, picking up 30 defeats in a 38-game campaign. During the 2024/25 LaLiga season, Valladolid won four, drew four, and, of course, lost 30, collecting just 16 points.
Why may this record never be broken?
Not many teams have lost more than 30 games in a single 38-game league season; in fact, not one team has matched that across Europe's top five leagues.
Will these records ever be broken?
Apart from Real Valladolid's 2024/25 LaLiga season, the majority of these records are held by football's greatest players and teams. Players like Messi, Ronaldo and Pelé are one-of-a-kind who provided numbers that we may never see again.
Especially in an era of tactics evolving, superstars rising, increased injuries and new champions, modern football is making some records unbreakable.
But anything is possible, and those before us were most likely saying the same thing about previous records before they were broken.
However, winning three FIFA World Cups, scoring 91 goals in a calendar year and being unbeaten for 3,284 days are stats that you do not expect to be broken ever again.
Frequently asked questions
1. Will the World Cup 2026 break any of these records?
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It is unlikely, though Cristiano Ronaldo is extending his own international goals record with every appearance in North America.
2. Do friendly matches count towards Ronaldo's international goals total?
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Yes, the 145 figure includes both competitive and friendly internationals for Portugal.
3. Could a modern player ever match Messi's 91 goals in a calendar year?
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No current player has come close, and heavier rotation and fixture loads make it the hardest individual mark to repeat.
4. Are team records easier to break than individual records?
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Not necessarily, as marks like Manchester City's 100 points and AC Milan's 58-game unbeaten run have stood despite huge investment across Europe.
5. Which footballer holds the most records on this list?
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Lionel Messi, who appears twice for his 91 goals in 2012 and his eight Ballon d'Ors.
Sources: Guinness World Records, Bundesliga.com, Olympics.com, ESPN, Premier League and Transfermarkt. Figures current to 24 June 2026. 1BoxOffice is not the official ticket agent of any club, league or federation. Prices may differ from face value.
