In football, goalkeepers are primarily known for their ability to prevent goals rather than score them.
However, some exceptions defy this norm. The following is the list of the top 10 goalkeepers with the most goals in football history:
Rogerio Ceni: The Free-Kick Master
Goals: 131
Top Achievements: Sao Paulo’s most capped player, won numerous domestic and international titles with Sao Paulo, including the Copa Libertadores and FIFA Club World Cup.
Known For: His exceptional freekick taking ability and leadership on and off the field.
Rogerio Ceni is a Brazilian footballing legend whose career transcended the conventional role of a goalkeeper. He was also a prolific goal scorer known for taking free kicks and penalties.
We see proof of Ceni’s unique talent in his record-breaking feat of more than 130 goals, a majority from set-pieces.
Ceni’s contributions to Sao Paulo FC earned him a place in the club’s Hall of Fame. He has numerous domestic titles and international triumphs, including the Copa Libertadores and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Ceni’s influence extended beyond his playing days. Currently, we see Toluca FC goalkeeper Tiago Volpi carrying the torch. Volpi’s success in Mexico where he’s had 8 goals so far, reaffirms the enduring legacy of Rogerio Ceni, a true footballing trailblazer.
M1TO!
Há 10 anos, a Arena Barueri era palco de um feito histórico. Rogério Ceni, maior goleiro artilheiro da história, marcou o seu 100º gol na carreira, em pleno Majestoso, diante do Corinthians.#FutebolPaulista #Paulistao #BaúDoPaulistão pic.twitter.com/iEYE471J2V— Paulistão (@Paulistao) March 27, 2021
Jose Luis Chilavert: The Maverick Goalkeeper
Goals: 67
Top Achievements: Captain of the Paraguayan national team, known for his long-range free kicks and representing Paraguay in multiple World Cups.
Known For: Being one of the first goalkeepers to score goals regularly and his fiery personality.
Jose Luis Chilavert is one other goalkeeper capable of supporting his team on the offense and defense.
Born on July 27, 1965, in Luque, Paraguay, Chilavert’s journey to fame came from his dynamic play style, leadership qualities, and an uncanny ability to score goals.
With a remarkable tally of 67 goals, he became a source of inspiration for aspiring goalkeepers who sought to go beyond the conventional role of shot-stopping.
Among Chilavert’s notable achievements was his captaincy of the Paraguayan national team, leading them to multiple World Cups and international tournaments.
Modificó los límites del arquero 🧤. Sinónimo de mentalidad ganadora. Emblema de Paraguay y de Vélez ⬜️🔷⬜️. Autor de esta locura de gol. José Luis Chilavert 🇵🇾🥅 cumple 58 años.pic.twitter.com/jDeIT2WW4G
— VarskySports (@VarskySports) July 27, 2023
Jorge Campos: The Flamboyant Goalkeeper and Outfield Dynamo
Goals: 46
Top Achievements: Represented Mexico in multiple World Cups, famous for his colorful and unique goalkeeper kits.
Known For: His agility, flair, and for often playing as an outfield player as well.
Born on October 15, 1966, in Acapulco, the Mexican footballing sensation, Jorge Campos always stood out for his colorful and distinctive goalkeeping attire.
But Campos was more than just a goalkeeper. He was a dynamic athlete who seamlessly switched positions and played as a forward when his team required an offensive boost.
Throughout his career, Campos contributed at both ends of the field. He often served as an extra attacker during the dying minutes of matches, utilizing his skills to create scoring opportunities. This always kept opponents on their toes as Campos was unpredictable.
Jorge Campos' goalkeeper jerseys were amazing! pic.twitter.com/V6tlHeb2YF
— 90s Football (@90sfootball) August 18, 2023
Johnny Vegas Fernández: A Versatile Scorer in Peruvian Football
Goals: 45
Top Achievements: scored 45 goals during his 13-year career; 30 penalties, 6 free kicks, and 9 from open play.
Known for: His goal-scoring ability from long-range free kicks.
Johnny Vegas Fernández left an indelible mark on the world of Peruvian football with his remarkable goal-scoring prowess and versatility on the field.
Born with a talent to find the back of the net, Fernández’s 13-year career was characterized by his ability to score in various situations, whether it was from the penalty spot, a free-kick, or open play.
Johnny Vegas Fernández scored an impressive total of 45 goals, showcasing his versatility as a goal scorer. Among these goals, he netted 30 penalties, demonstrating his nerve and precision under the pressure of spot-kick situations.
He showcased his dead-ball expertise by converting 6 free kicks, a testament to his skill in bending the ball around defensive walls and into the net.
Notably, Fernández also found the target 9 times from open play, showcasing his ability to seize opportunities and make an impact during open-field action.
Rene Higuita: The Eccentric Sweeper-Keeper
Goals: 43
Top Achievements: Represented Colombia in World Cups and was famous for his unique ‘scorpion kick’ save against England.
Known For: His acrobatic style of goalkeeping and adventurous play.
Higuita, who was born in Medellin, Colombia, on August 27, 1966, is well known for his legendary “scorpion kick” save and his exceptional abilities as a sweeper-keeper.
Higuita distinguished himself from conventional goalkeepers with his daring playing style. He was renowned for advancing his team’s offense by moving past the penalty spot. Due to the apparent danger of his gameplay, he was given the moniker “El Loco” (The Madman).
Perhaps Higuita’s most memorable moment came during a friendly match between Colombia and England at Wembley Stadium in 1995. Facing a long-range shot from English striker Jamie Redknapp, Higuita executed a daring “scorpion kick” save.
With remarkable agility, he used his heels to clear the ball away while diving forward. This audacious move solidified his reputation as a player unafraid to take risks and captivated football fans around the world.
While Higuita’s playing style often stole the spotlight, he was also a skilled shot-stopper and contributed significantly to his team’s defensive efforts.
Gol de falta de René Higuita contra o River Plate na semifinal da Libertadores 95.
Explodiu o Atanasio Girardot. 🇨🇴
Nostálgico!
— Futebol Nostálgico! (@futnostalgico) May 31, 2023
Dimitar Ivankov: The Bulgarian Goalkeeper Who Scored From His Box
Goals: 42
Top Achievements: Represented Bulgaria in international tournaments, and played for various clubs in Bulgaria and Turkey.
Known For: His strong personality on and off the field, often clashing with opponents
Dimitar Ivankov, from Bulgaria, etched his name in football history not only for his goalkeeping skills but also for his incredible ability to find the back of the net from the opposite end of the field.
Born on January 30, 1975, in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, Ivankov’s unique journey in football led him to become one of the rare goalkeepers to score from his penalty area.
Ivankov’s defining moment occurred in 2011 during a league match for Bursaspor in the Turkish Super Lig. With his team trailing 1-0 in stoppage time, he seized an opportunity that goalkeepers often only dream of.
In a remarkable display of accuracy and power, Ivankov launched a goal kick that sailed over the opposing goalkeeper’s head and directly into the net.
This astonishing long-range strike not only equalized the score but also secured him a place in the annals of football history.
Marcio: The Brazilian Goalkeeper with a Scoring Touch
Goals: 40
Top Achievements: 37 goals for Atlético Goianiense (2007–2015), 1 for Goiás (2016) and 2 for Goiânia
Known For: His goal-scoring ability through penalty kicks and free kicks
Marcio’s football journey was defined by his exceptional ability not only to make crucial saves but also to contribute on the offensive end of the field.
Throughout his career, Marcio scored an impressive total of 36 goals. His goals came through various means, including penalty kicks and free kicks.
Beyond his goal-scoring exploits, Marcio’s career displayed a commitment to excellence in both the defensive and offensive aspects of his play, making him a standout player in the Brazilian football landscape.
Fernando Arturo Patterson: The Goal-Scoring Keeper Extraordinaire
Goals: 36
Top Achievements: Gained recognition from the IFFHS and earned a solitary cap for Costa Rica in a 1993 CONCACAF Gold Cup match
Known for: Starting as a striker but performing best as a goalkeeper
Fernando Arturo Patterson, originally from La Francia de Siquirres, spent a significant portion of his football career in both Costa Rica and Guatemala, most notably with Xelajú.
He commenced his football journey in 1989 at Limonense, featuring in 113 matches and scoring three goals while also playing as a striker.
He later ventured abroad to play for Xelajú and Cobán Imperial in Guatemala. After a brief stint with Cartaginés and Ramonense, he returned to Xelajú in 2004.
By April 2007, he had netted 24 league goals and two in the Guatemalan Cup. He gained recognition from the IFFHS for scoring 28 goals as a goalkeeper, ranking eighth in November 2009 and climbing to seventh with 35 goals by February 2013.
While he earned a solitary cap for Costa Rica in a 1993 CONCACAF Gold Cup match, Patterson’s impact on the pitch and his remarkable ability to score goals from the goalkeeper position remain defining aspects of his football legacy.
Fábio “The Scoring Keeper” Rampi: From Gloves to Goals
Goals: 34
Top Achievements: 2 goals for Cruzeiro-RS (2011), 32 goals for São José-RS (2015–2023)
Known for: Victories in the Super Copa Gaúcha, Copa Metropolitana, and Copa FGF
Born in Aratiba, Rio Grande do Sul, Rampi’s football journey began with RS Futebol and São José-RS as a youth player.
The year 2011 marked a turning point for Rampi, as he emerged as a standout for Cruzeiro during the Campeonato Gaúcho. His exceptional performance earned him the title of the best goalkeeper in the competition.
A remarkable moment followed in August when Rampi scored his inaugural senior goal, leveling the score in a 2–1 victory over Cerâmica in the Copa FGF.
Rampi’s journey continued with two goals in the 2018 Série D season, which played a role in the team’s promotion. Notably, he had also clinched victories in the Super Copa Gaúcha (2015), Copa Metropolitana (2016), and Copa FGF (2017).
Hans-Jörg Butt: The German Penalty Specialist
Goals: 33
Top Achievements: Record number of penalty goals in a single professional league of Europe (26 in 1. Bundesliga)
Known for: Being a penalty specialist
Hans-Jörg Butt is a notable name in football history when it comes to goal-scoring goalkeepers.
Born on May 28, 1974, in Oldenburg, West Germany, Butt gained attention for his unique ability to score goals from the goalkeeper position.
Primarily known for his time at Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich in the German Bundesliga, Butt was not only reliable between the posts but also made a mark as a penalty specialist.
During his career, Hans-Jörg Butt managed to score a notable number of goals, particularly from the penalty spot. His goal-scoring exploits set him apart from other goalkeepers and added a distinct dimension to his playing style.
Butt’s versatility as a goalkeeper who could confidently take penalties made him a memorable figure in the world of football.
Happy Birthday to Hans-Jorg Butt!
One of the great goalscoring goalies!
It didn't always go to plan though 😅 pic.twitter.com/O23QeBgph0
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 28, 2020
More than just a game…
While the role of a goalkeeper is primarily defensive, these players remind us that the beautiful game is filled with surprises. Their legacy reminds us of the nature of football and highlights why we love this game.
