Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappe, Haaland, Kane? Who was 2025's top goal scorer?

"9. Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr/Portugal): 41 goals in 46 games Despite approaching his 41st birthday, Ronaldo has roared back into the top 10 after missing out on a spot in 2024. The Portugal veteran has scored eight goals in nine competitive appearances for his country this calendar year (including goals in the semifinals and final of the UEFA Nations League) while also maintaining an impressively high strike rate in the Saudi Pro League, where he is even still scoring overhead kicks!"

"8. Guilherme Bissoli (Buriram United/Brazil): 44 goals in 60 games Former Sao Paulo and Cruzeiro striker Bissoli moved to the Thai first division with Buriram in October 2024 and he has already moved up to third on the club's all-time top goal scorer list by scoring 80 goals in 61 games over the course of two seasons. The 27-year-old has since left Buriram to join Malaysian Super League side Negeri Sembilan ahead of the 2026 campaign."

"The likes of Manchester City's Erling Haaland, Bayern Munich's Harry Kane and Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé were vying for supremacy after losing out to Viktor Gyökeres in 2024 as the now- Arsenal striker rattled through 62 goals in 63 games for Sporting CP and Sweden. And, amazingly, heavyweight campaigners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo fired their way back into the top 10 despite both being in the twilights of their respective careers. But who had the most goals this calendar year?"

The race for the 2025 top scorer for club and country concluded with numerous high-profile contenders across leagues worldwide. Viktor Gyökeres produced 62 goals in 63 games for Sporting CP and Sweden in 2024, setting a high bar. Cristiano Ronaldo scored 41 goals in 46 games, including eight in nine international matches and continued scoring in the Saudi Pro League. Jorge Rivera tallied 40 goals in 35 games, with 28 in 16 since Liga Puerto Rico's Apertura phase. Guilherme Bissoli amassed 44 goals in 60 games, reached 80 goals in 61 Buriram appearances, and transferred to Negeri Sembilan ahead of 2026.

Read at ESPN.com