Top Goal Scorers For German Football Team All-Time: Football is the most popular sport in Germany, and no other sport comes close in terms of how many people play it, watch it on TV, or love it. Because of this, Germany has some incredible football players who are like national heroes because of their amazing performances.
The German national football team has been really successful, not only winning lots of titles but also creating unforgettable moments in the sport’s history. They’re one of the top three teams with the most international titles in the world. This success is partly thanks to the great players who have represented Germany over the years.
These famous players have all played a part in making Germany one of the top teams in the world, with four World Cup victories. They’ve also done well in the Euro Cup and other European competitions, thanks to the talented players who have made history.
Top Goal Scorers For German Football Team All-Time
Because of all this, we’ve put together a list of the top goal scorers for the German national football team. These are the players who’ve scored the most goals for Germany, and they deserve recognition whether the team has won or not.
1. Miroslav Klose
- Career Span: 2001–2014
- Matches: 137
- Goals: 71
- Average: 0.52
Miroslav Klose is one of the best attackers Germany has ever seen. He’s especially great at scoring with his head, earning him the nickname “Air Klose” because of his numerous goals from aerial balls. But he’s not just good in the air; he’s also excellent at placing shots and has an exceptional goal sense.
Klose, originally from Poland but a German citizen, played 137 matches for the senior German team, scoring 71 goals and winning an international title with his team. He holds two significant records: he’s the all-time leading goal scorer for the German national team, surpassing the legendary Gerd Müller. He also holds the record for the most goals in World Cup history, scoring 16 goals, breaking Ronaldo “Fenómeno’s” record in 2014.
2. Gerd Müller
- Career Span: 1966–1974
- Matches: 62
- Goals: 68
- Average: 1.1
Gerd Müller is considered one of the greatest goal-scorers in football history. He wasn’t known for flashy moves; he was known for one thing – putting the ball in the back of the net, and he did it exceptionally well every time he played. He’s often regarded as one of the best strikers ever.
Throughout his career, Müller won numerous national and international titles. Notably, he played a key role in Bayern Munich winning three consecutive European Cups in the 1970s.
On the international stage, he’s the second-highest goal scorer in the history of the German national team, scoring an incredible 68 goals in just 62 games. He was part of the German team that won the World Cup in 1974 and the European Championship in 1972. In recognition of his outstanding skills, he was awarded the prestigious Ballon d’Or in 1970.
Müller also held the record for the most goals scored in a calendar year for many years, with 85 goals. However, in 2012, Lionel Messi broke this record by scoring 91 goals. Messi, in a gesture of respect, gave a signed shirt to Müller, which is now displayed in the FC Bayern München museum.
3. Lukas Podolski
- Career Span: 2004–2017
- Matches: 130
- Goals: 49
- Average: 0.38
Lukas Podolski had an unusual start in the national team. He was chosen as a backup striker for the 2004 European Football Championship without playing for the senior team before. He decided to represent Germany after a preparatory game against Hungary, but they lost. After that, Podolski became a regular player for Germany.
In the 2010 World Cup, he scored a goal but missed a crucial penalty against Serbia. Germany reached the semi-finals, but Podolski couldn’t play in the third-place match, marking the first World Cup game he missed.
In the 2012 European Championships, he played nine games, but his goal-scoring rate was lower. Germany won all nine games, and Podolski celebrated his 100th international match. In 2013, he scored a goal just nine seconds into a match against Ecuador, setting a record. Podolski was part of the 2014 World Cup-winning team and played a significant role in the team after Miroslav Klose’s retirement.
He also played in the 2016 European Championship before retiring from the national team later that year. In his farewell match in 2017, he scored a memorable long-range goal against England, which became Goal of the Year.
4. Rudi Völler
- Career Span: 1982–1994
- Matches: 90
- Goals: 47
- Average: 0.52
Rudi Völler, known by the amusing nickname “Aunt Käthe,” got this nickname because of his curly hair, which reminded his teammate Thomas Berthold of his aunt Käthe. Despite the funny nickname, Völler was a skilled center-forward, a position where Germany has historically had strong players, although not as much in recent years.
In the national team, Völler scored an impressive 47 goals in 90 appearances, averaging a goal nearly every other game. He played a significant role in the German team’s success, especially in the 1990 World Cup, where he scored 3 goals, making him the second-highest scorer for the team after Lothar Matthäus, who scored 4 goals.
5. Jürgen Klinsmann
- Career Span: 1987–1998
- Matches: 108
- Goals: 47
- Average: 0.44
Jürgen Klinsmann is among the top goal-scorers in German football history. He had a remarkable career, playing for prominent European clubs and delivering outstanding performances for both his club and the national team. Klinsmann was a true goal-scoring machine, always efficient when it came to scoring goals. His statistics speak for themselves: he scored almost a goal every two games throughout his career.
On the international stage, Klinsmann is one of Germany’s top goal-scorers and also a key figure in World Cup history. He scored 47 goals for Germany, including 11 in the World Cup finals. He played a vital role in Germany’s victory in the 1990 World Cup and Euro 1996, where he served as the team captain.
6. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
- Career Span: 1976–1986
- Matches: 95
- Goals: 45
- Average: 0.47
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was undoubtedly the best German striker of the 1980s. He won the prestigious Ballon d’Or award twice in 1980 and 1981, highlighting his exceptional skills. Rummenigge played a crucial role for both Bayern Munich and the German national team. His nickname “Kalle” stuck, and he was known for being a well-rounded player – fast, powerful, solid, and an outstanding goal scorer.
Rummenigge’s impact on the German national team was significant. He helped Germany win the Euro 1980 championship and was included in the tournament’s standard team. Despite reaching the World Cup final twice in 1982 and 1986, he never secured the coveted title. He retired from international football in 1986, leaving behind an impressive record of 95 caps and 45 goals. Even today, Rummenigge is remembered as one of the greatest German players of all time.
7. Thomas Müller
- Career Span: 2010–
- Matches: 121
- Goals: 44
- Average: 0.36
Thomas Müller is a talented German player who started his career with Bayern München in 2008. He’s one of the two active players in our ranking. Despite being removed from the German national team due to a technical decision, his achievements are remarkable.
Müller currently holds a top position in our ranking. Although he won’t be adding more goals to his tally for ‘Die Mannschaft’, he’s poised to be one of the greatest in history if he continues his legacy. At 31 years old, he has an impressive record of 27 titles, making him the German player with the most titles in football history.
His impact on the German national team was evident in the 2014 World Cup, where he played a crucial role. He represented Germany 121 times, scoring 44 goals during his international career. With his skills and achievements, Müller has already left a lasting mark on the sport.
8. Uwe Seeler
- Career Span: 1954–1970
- Matches: 72
- Goals: 43
- Average: 0.6
Uwe Seeler is considered one of the best German players from the 1950s and 1960s. He’s a true legend for the Hamburg club, where he spent his entire career. In his hometown, he’s affectionately known as “Uns’ Uwe” (our Uwe) by HSV fans. Despite being relatively short at 1m69, Seeler was an excellent finisher, scoring goals with both his right foot and his head.
For the German national team, Seeler played 72 matches and scored 43 goals. He participated in the World Cup four times, although he couldn’t secure a victory, notably losing in the final against England in 1966. In total, he scored an impressive 447 goals in 548 matches for his club and country, leaving a lasting legacy in German football.
9. Michael Ballack
- Career Span: 1999–2010
- Matches: 98
- Goals: 42
- Average: 0.43
Michael Ballack was widely regarded as the finest midfielder of his generation. His teammates and opponents alike were in awe of his passing precision and powerful shots. UEFA recognized his talent, naming him the best midfielder in 2002. He consistently proved himself as a standout player in the German national team, earning the title of Germany’s best footballer three times in 2002, 2003, and 2005.
While his club performances were stellar, his contributions to the national team were somewhat less remarkable. He decided to retire from football in 2012. Over his career, he played for several clubs, including Motor Karl-Marx-Stadt, Kemnitzer, Kemnitzer II, Kaiserslautern II, Bayer 04, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea. His impact on the game, particularly in midfield, remains a significant part of his legacy.
10. Oliver Bierhoff
- Career Span: 1996–2002
- Matches: 70
- Goals: 37
- Average: 0.53
Oliver Bierhoff, born on May 1, 1968, in Karlsruhe, is a former German football player, official, and lobbyist. He was a skilled striker known for his aerial abilities. Bierhoff achieved significant success, winning the 1996 European Championship with the German national team and becoming the top scorer in the Italian Serie A in 1998. He also won the Italian championship with AC Milan in 1999.
Bierhoff made his debut for the German national team in a friendly match against Portugal on February 21, 1996. In his second game on March 27, 1996, he scored his first two international goals in Germany’s 2–0 win over Denmark. In total, Bierhoff scored 37 goals in 70 appearances for the national team. He made a historic impact by scoring both goals in the 2–1 victory over the Czech Republic in the Euro 96 final after coming on as a substitute.
