Representing your country is just about the greatest thrill an athlete can ever aspire to.
However, scoring a goal for one's country in what is doubtlessly the world's most popular sport is perhaps the only feeling that could ever eclipse it.
Whether at continental championships, in World Cups, or just within friendlies, putting the ball in the back of the net and then celebrating with thousands of your screaming compatriots is spine-tingling stuff.
From a Portuguese superstar with more Instagram followers than anyone on Earth to a Zambian forward adept at putting the ball in the onion bag, here are the ten players with more international football goals than anyone else.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (2003-present) โ Portugal โ 128 goals*
2. Ali Daei (1993-2006) โ Iran โ 108
3. Lionel Messi (2005-present) โ Argentina โ 106*
4. Sunil Chhetri (2005-present) โ India โ 93*
5. Mokhtar Dahari (1972-1985) โ Malaysia โ 89
= 6. Ferenc Puskรกs (1945-1956) โ Hungary โ 84
= 6. Ali Mabkhout (2009-present) โ United Arab Emirates โ 84*
8. Romelu Lukaku (2010-present) โ Belgium โ 83*
9. Robert Lewandowski (2008-present) โ Poland โ 82*
= 10. Godfrey Chitalu (1968-1980) โ Zambia โ 79
= 10. Neymar (2010-present) โ Brazil โ 79*
