In football history, scoring 100 goals is a proud milestone for any player, and only the most exceptional stars can achieve it in record time. Some players have reached this milestone quickly, showcasing outstanding scoring ability and a resilient fighting spirit. Players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kylian Mbappé have demonstrated their exceptional skill, reaching 100 career goals in just a few matches, solidifying their places among football's elite. Join Win Tips Bet to learn about the fastest players to reach 100 career goals and how they did it.
Top 10 fastest players to reach 100 career goals
10. Ciro Immobile (Lazio) - 147 matches (2019)
In 2016, Ciro Immobile joined Lazio and quickly demonstrated his talent. In just 147 matches, he scored 100 goals, an impressive achievement that helped him become one of the club's top scorers. After years of dedication to Lazio, Immobile became the club's all-time top scorer with over 170 goals, marking an important milestone in his career.
The 2019-2020 season was the peak of Immobile's career, having scored 36 goals in Serie A. This achievement not only helped him top the list of top scorers in the tournament but also won him the European Golden Shoe, a prestigious honor awarded to the player who scores the most goals in Europe's top leagues.
9. Christian Vieri (Inter Milan) - 138 matches (2004)
During his impressive career, Christian Vieri played for more than 10 different clubs, most notably his time at Inter Milan. Here, he scored 123 goals in nearly 200 matches and notably reached the milestone of 100 goals in just 138 appearances, an admirable achievement for any striker. It was at Inter Milan where Vieri made his biggest mark in his career, cementing his important role in the team.
Despite his success at many clubs, Vieri won only a single Serie A title with Juventus in 1997. This is a remarkable achievement because, despite playing for many big teams such as Lazio, Atletico Madrid, and Milan, his only Serie A victory came while playing for the "Old Lady." This highlights Vieri's successful yet unlucky career in winning major titles.
8. Kylian Mbappe (PSG) - 137 games (2020)
Shortly after joining Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) from AS Monaco in 2017 for a record fee of 180 million euros, Kylian Mbappé quickly proved his worth. In just 127 games, he reached the 100-goal mark, an impressive feat that demonstrates the brilliance and limitless potential of this young player. To date, Mbappé has scored 151 goals and provided 92 assists in 204 games, solidifying his status as one of the brightest stars in world football.
However, the future of the French star at PSG is currently a big question mark. Reports suggest that Mbappé will leave for free next summer, with no clear signal yet regarding a contract extension. This is causing a lot of anxiety for the Paris team, as well as attracting attention from major clubs around the world, who are ready to sign him if he decides to leave PSG.
7. Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) - 136 games (2017)
Bayern Munich really got a "big bargain" when they recruited Robert Lewandowski from arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund in 2014 on a free transfer. It took Lewandowski just 136 games to score 100 goals for Bayern Munich, an achievement that clearly shows his brilliance and excellent scoring ability. During his time playing for Bayern Munich, Lewandowski affirmed himself as one of the best strikers in the world.
To date, the Polish striker has scored a total of 328 goals for Bayern Munich, including a significant milestone when he reached the 300-goal mark in the Bundesliga, an incredible achievement for any player in Germany's top league. However, Lewandowski's career didn’t stop there. After leaving Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022, he continued to conquer titles in Europe with Barcelona, where he remains a key player and continues to prove his worth.
6. Edinson Cavani (PSG) - 135 matches (2015)
Edinson Cavani joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) from Napoli in 2013. Despite initially playing a supporting role to Zlatan Ibrahimović in his early seasons, he quickly showcased his talent. It took Cavani just 135 matches to reach the 100-goal mark, an admirable feat for any striker. Cavani's patience and impressive scoring ability earned him a regular place in the squad, and he went on to become one of the most important players in the club's history.
During his seven seasons at PSG, Cavani scored a total of 200 goals, becoming the club's all-time top scorer. This achievement not only helped him make his mark in PSG's history but also cemented his reputation as one of the best strikers in Europe at the time. Cavani left PSG in 2020, but his legacy will remain in the hearts of the club's fans in the Parisian capital for a long time.
5. Ruud Van Nistelrooy (Manchester United) - 131 matches (2004)
Ruud van Nistelrooy, although not winning much glory at Manchester United, left a deep mark thanks to his impressive scoring efficiency. It took him just 131 matches to reach the 100-goal mark for the "Red Devils", and after 5 seasons at Old Trafford, van Nistelrooy scored a total of 150 goals, an incredible achievement for any striker. His accuracy and finishing ability helped MU have successful seasons, although they could not win the Champions League title during his time here.
After leaving Manchester United in 2006, van Nistelrooy continued to shine at Real Madrid. At 'Los Blancos', he maintained his top form and continued to score regularly, affirming his worth at one of the biggest clubs in Europe. Van Nistelrooy helped Real Madrid win domestic titles and contributed significantly to the team's successes during this period.
3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG) - 124 matches (2015)
Zlatan Ibrahimović joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2012 at the age of 31 but immediately proved his talent. Despite his advanced age, Ibra still maintained his top form and needed only 124 matches to score 100 goals for the Parisian team. During his four seasons at PSG, he scored a total of 150 goals, becoming the club's all-time top scorer at the time. This was an impressive feat, despite fierce competition from teammates and rivals.
Ibrahimović was not only a prolific striker but also a symbol of PSG during the period when the team began rising to prominence in Europe. However, although his scoring record was eventually surpassed by Edinson Cavani, Ibrahimović's legacy at PSG remains strong. He was not just a football star but also a key figure who profoundly influenced the club's culture during his time there.
2. Luis Suarez (Barcelona) – 120 games (2017)
Luis Suárez joined Barcelona from Liverpool in the summer of 2014 for €75 million, quickly becoming a vital part of the club’s iconic attacking trio alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar. Together, they formed a formidable attack, dominating opponents across all competitions. As the striker, Suárez capitalized on the opportunities created by Messi and Neymar, reaching the 100-goal mark in just 120 games for Barcelona—an extraordinary achievement.
During his time at Barca, Suárez scored a total of 198 goals, becoming the club’s fifth-highest scorer in history. This remarkable rank placed him among the top scorers in the club’s all-time goalscoring charts. However, in the summer of 2020, after many years of dedication to Barcelona, Suárez joined Atletico Madrid, where he continued to prove himself and helped the team win La Liga in the 2020-2021 season.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) - 131 games (2021)
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Juventus in 2018, after reaching the pinnacle of glory at Real Madrid, where he won numerous Champions League titles and individual awards. At Juventus, despite being in the prime of his career, Ronaldo maintained an impressive goal-scoring form. In just 131 games, he scored 100 goals for the "Old Lady", proving his strength and ability to maintain top form even at the age of 33.
Although Ronaldo continued to shine in Serie A, helping Juventus win many domestic titles, the team's performance in the Champions League did not improve. Although Juventus invested heavily in the Portuguese star with the expectation of bringing home the European Cup, the team still could not reach the top of this arena during Ronaldo's time playing for them. In the summer of 2021, Ronaldo decided to leave Juventus and return to Manchester United, ending a turbulent time in Turin.
Conclusion
By examining the list of fastest players to reach 100 career goals above, we can see the dominance of some players throughout their careers. They are not only "killers" in the penalty area but also icons of world football. Their goals have gone down in history and have inspired many generations of players. However, football is always changing, and records can be broken. Let’s look forward to the rise of young talents who will make history in the future.
See more: Discover the Best FIFA Football Team in the World Right Now
