Ranking England's top 5 goalscorers of all time

England's top 5 goalscorers of all time
England's top 5 goalscorers of all time

England has been home to top-quality players ever since football was born. The same has paved the way for England hosting arguably the most intense and famous domestic league.

Over the course of years, the Three Lions have produced a bunch of fine players. However, somehow they have not managed to win even one World Cup so far. Nevertheless, England always exist as potential favorites at international tournaments.

Their recent heroics in the UEFA EURO 2020 saw England concede just two goals throughout the tournament. They narrowly missed out on silverware following a loss in the penalty shootout against Italy.

Out of the never-ending list of skillful players that England have had, let's take a look at

England's top 5 goalscorers of all time


#5 Jimmy Greaves — 44

Jimmy Greaves is Spurs' highest ever goal scorer (266)
Jimmy Greaves is Spurs' highest ever goal scorer (266)

Tottenham Hotspur's Jimmy Greaves has got a bunch of impressive records under his belt. The Essex-born striker is Spurs' highest ever goal scorer (266). He has scored 44 goals in England's jersey and also owns the record for most number of hat-tricks (6) for the country.

Jimmy Greaves has spent most of his career in London. Prior to Tottenham, he had played for Chelsea. Greaves scored 124 goals in 157 domestic outings for Chelsea. His short and unhappy stint at AC Milan in 1961 saw Jimmy Greaves leave Italy within a year. However, he managed to net nine goals out of 10 Serie A games.

Jimmy Greaves was a crucial element of England's 1966 World Cup triumph.


#4 Gary Lineker — 48

Lineker has never received a red or yellow card in his career
Lineker has never received a red or yellow card in his career

Gary Lineker, along with being England's fourth highest goal scorer, is also the man behind an usual record. In a career spanning over 16 years and 567 competitive games, Lineker has never received a red or yellow card.

The English Football Hall of Fame inductee spent lengthy stints at Leicester City, Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur. Lineker was an important figure in England's international outings and he barely planted a foot wrong.

He retired with 80 caps and 48 goals. Gary Lineker narrowly missed out on edging past Sir Bobby Charlton in terms of most goals scored. The former Leicester City striker is considered one of the best strikers in England.

Gary Lineker helped England finish fourth in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, where he ended up as the joint third-most goal getter of the tournament. Even after years of his retirement, Lineker is looked upon by many English prodigies.

#3 Harry Kane — 48*

Harry Kane is the highest goal-scoring captain from England
Harry Kane is the highest goal-scoring captain from England

For his senior career, Harry Kane chose England over the Republic of Ireland. Kane was called up to the national side by coach Roy Hodgson during the 2016 UEFA Euro Qualifiers. He scored within 80 seconds after coming off the bench.

His constant performance at the domestic level with Tottenham Hotspur kept him under the good books of national team coaches. Eventually, Kane was announced captain of the Three Lions ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. England endured a fine campaign under the Tottenham striker's leadership.

They found their exit in a fiercely fought semifinal battle against Luka Modric's Croatia. Harry Kane finished the tournament as the top goal scorer (6). After the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Harry Kane led England in the 2020 Euro Championship.

During the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, Harry Kane became the highest goal-scoring captain and the joint-most goal scoring English player in a single year.


#2 Sir Bobby Charlton — 49

Sir Charlton was called up to the national side at the age of 19
Sir Charlton was called up to the national side at the age of 19

Sir Bobby Charlton's name and legacy are etched on the golden pages of English football's history books. The main man behind England's 1966 World Cup triumph, Sir Charlton is also a Ballon d'Or winner from the same year.

A survivor of the Munich air disaster, Sir Bobby Charlton went on to establish a successful and lengthy stint at Old Trafford. He is one of the most respected Manchester United players of all time.

Sir Charlton was a renowned figure during his youth days and he was called up to the national side at the age of 19. He scored seven off six appearances in his debut year itself. Sir Bobby Charlton has played over 106 games for England.


#1 Wayne Rooney — 53

Rooney is England's youngest ever goal scorer
Rooney is England's youngest ever goal scorer

Wayne Rooney rose to become England's most sought after teenager during his Everton days. Having been selected for the national side in 2003, Rooney became the youngest England debutant at 17 years and 111 days. A couple of months later, Rooney went on to become England's youngest ever goal scorer at 17 years and 317 days.

It didn't take long for Wayne Rooney to cement his position amongst a star-studded English team. After a below-par World Cup campaign in 2006 due to injury woes, Rooney edged out his teammates on England's road towards the 2010 World Cup.

Despite never winning a title with England, Rooney was always a key figure in the team. The year 2014 saw the former Manchester United forward in his best form for England. Rooney accumulated eight goals in that year.

However, Rooney's record is most likely to be broken by the current English captain — Harry Kane.

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Edited by Aditya Singh