Who is the top goal scorer for England's national football team?

Who is the top goal scorer for England's national football team?

Helix Odhiambo
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:57 PM

England has produced many talented strikers over the years. They include Bobby Charlton, Wayne Rooney, and Harry Kane. But who is the top goalscorer for England as of 2022? Let us find out.

Top goal scorer for England's national football team
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Only one of the top 10 England's leading scorers is still playing for the national team. Some were strikers, while others played in midfield.

Top 10 best England goalscorers of all-time

Using the most recent data and stats, we have compiled a list of England's top goal scorers and games played.

10. Frank Lampard - 29 goals

Top international goal scorer for England
Frank Lampard in action for England during their 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match against Costa Rica at Estadio Mineirao on 24 June 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Photo: Bob Thomas
Source: Getty Images

The former Chelsea midfielder is among leading England goalscorers in this century. In addition, Lampard was considered England's most prolific penalty taker and the best midfielder of his generation.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Frank Lampard
  • Date of birth: 20 June 1978
  • Age: 43 (as of March 2022)
  • Place of birth: Romford, London
  • Nationality: English
  • Height: 1.80m
  • Position: Midfield
  • Goals: 29
  • Caps: 106 (1999-2014)
  • Clubs: West Ham, Swansea, Chelsea, Manchester City, New York City FC
  • Facebook: @franklampard
  • Instagram: @franklampard
  • Frank Lampard's net worth: $90 million

9. Tom Finney - 30 goals

England goalscorers
Tom Finney is among the highest-scorers for his nation. photo: PA Images
Source: Getty Images

The legendary striker provided the Three Lions with crucial goals during his prime time. His eye for goal made him one of the best strikers of his generation.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Tom Finney
  • Date of birth: 5 April 1922
  • Place of birth: Preston, England
  • Date of death: 14 February 2014
  • Nationality: English
  • Position: Striker
  • Goals: 30
  • Caps: 76 (1946-1958)
  • Clubs: Preston North End, Lisburn FC
  • Tom Finney's net worth: $100 million

8. Alan Shearer - 30 goals

England goalscorers in this century
Alan Shearer shields the ball during their international friendly match vs Argentina on 23 February 2000 Wembley. Photo: Mark Leech
Source: Getty Images

Alan Shearer is arguably the best-ever striker to play for the Three Lions. He is the overall top goal scorer for England's Premier League with 260 goals. Shearer also won the golden boot in the Euro 96 tournament.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Alan Shearer
  • Date of birth: 13 August 1970
  • Age: 51 (as of March 2022)
  • Place of birth: Gosforth, Newcastle
  • Nationality: English
  • Height: 1.83m
  • Position: Striker
  • Goals: 30
  • Caps: 63 (1992-2000)
  • Clubs: Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, Southampton
  • Twitter: @alanshearer
  • Instagram: @alanshearer
  • Alan Shearer's net worth: $52.5 million

7. Nat Lofthouse - 30 goals

Highest goal scorer for England
Bolton Wanderers captain Nat Lofthouse raises the FA Cup after defeating Manchester United 2-0 in the final at Wembley Stadium in London on 3 May 1958. Photo: Popperfoto
Source: Getty Images

Nat Lofthouse has one of the best goal-to-game ratios for England, with 30 goals in 32 games. Lofthouse also found the net 250 times for his club, Bolton Wanderers.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Nat Lofthouse
  • Nickname: The Lion of Vienna
  • Date of birth: 27 August 1925
  • Place of birth: Bolton, United Kingdom
  • Died: 15 January 2011
  • Nationality: English
  • Height: 1.76m
  • Position: Forward
  • Goals: 30
  • Caps: 33 (1950-1958)
  • Clubs: Bolton Wanderers
  • Nat Lofthouse net worth: ($1 million - $9 million)

6. Michael Owen - 40 goals

England top goal scorers and games played
Michael Owen of the Three Lions celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying match against Israel at Wembley Stadium on 8 September 2007 in London. Photo: Popperfoto
Source: Getty Images

Michael Owen rose to fame at the 1998 World Cup in France. He became the youngest scorer for the Three Lions in the tournament. Owen is also the last English player to win the Ballon d'Or.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Michael Owen
  • Date of birth: 14th December 1979
  • Place of birth: Chester, England
  • Age: 42 (as of March 2022)
  • Nationality: English
  • Position: Forward
  • Goals: 40
  • Caps: 33 (1998-2008)
  • Clubs: Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Stock City
  • Twitter: @themichaelowen
  • Instagram: @themichaelowen
  • Michael Owen's net worth: $68 million

Top five England's leading scorers

Is Harry Kane the top goal scorer for England of all time? Let us find out other top goal scorers in England in all competitions.

5. Jimmy Greaves - 44 goals

Top 10 England goalscorers of all-time
England striker Jimmy Greaves in action during the team's training session in 1966. Photo: Allsport
Source: Getty Images

Fifth on our list is Tottenham Hotspur legend Jimmy Greaves. He was England's leading scorer ahead of the 1966 World Cup, but a late injury ruled him out of the tournament.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Jimmy Greaves
  • Nickname: Greavsie
  • Date of birth: 20 February 1940
  • Place of birth: East Ham, England
  • Date of death: 19 September 2021
  • Nationality: English
  • Position: Striker
  • Goals: 44
  • Caps: 33 (1959-1968)
  • Clubs: Tottenham, Chelsea, AC Milan, West Ham, Stadtauswahl London
  • Twitter: @jimmy_greaves
  • Jimmy Greaves net worth: $11 million

4. Harry Kane - 48 goals

The current England captain is the fourth-highest scorer for his nation with 48, but will he reach the top before retiring?

Kane is also the top goal scorer in England in 2022.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Harry Edward Kane
  • Nickname: The HurriKane, Golden Boy
  • Date of birth: 28 July 1993
  • Place of birth: Walthamstow, England
  • Age: 28 (as of March 2022)
  • Nationality: English
  • Position: Striker
  • Goals: 48
  • Caps: 67 (2015-date)
  • Clubs: Tottenham, Norwich City, Leicester City, Leyton Orient, Millwall
  • Facebook: @harrykaneofficial
  • Twitter: @HKane
  • Instagram: @harrykane
  • Harry Kane's net worth: $49 million

3. Gary Lineker - 48 goals

Third on our list is yet another Tottenham legend, Gary Lineker. With six goals, the talented striker won the Golden Boot at the 1986 World Cup. He also found the back of the net four times in the 1990 World Cup.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Gary Winston Lineker
  • Date of birth: 30 November 1960
  • Place of birth: Leicester, England
  • Age: 61 (as of March 2022)
  • Nationality: English
  • Position: Forward
  • Height: 1.8m
  • Goals: 48
  • Caps: 80 (1984 -1992)
  • Clubs: Tottenham, Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona
  • Facebook: @officialgarylineker
  • Twitter: @GaryLineker
  • Instagram: @garylineker
  • Gary Lineker's net worth: $35 million

2. Bobby Charlton - 49 goals

Top goal scorers in England in all competitions
Bobby Charlton takes a corner kick during a training session in April 1961 at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. Photo: W & H Talbot
Source: Getty Images

Bobby is a household name in English football. The midfielder guided his nation to its first and only World Cup triumph in 1996. He netted twice in the semi-finals of the showdown.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Sir Robert Charlton
  • Date of birth: 11 October 1937
  • Place of birth: England
  • Age: 84 (as of March 2022)
  • Nationality: English
  • Position: Midfielder, forward
  • Goals: 49
  • Caps: 106 (1958 -1970)
  • Clubs: Manchester United
  • Net worth: $25 million

Who is the top international goal scorer for England?

Former Machester United star Wayne Rooney is the leading scorer for his nation. So, how many times has he netted for the nation? Find out below.

1. Wayne Rooney - 53 goals

A legend for both club and country, Wayne Rooney established himself among the most talented striker on earth.

Rooney is England's most capped player and top goal scorer for England in Euros with 20, five ahead of Harry Kane.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Wayne Mark Rooney
  • Date of birth: 24 October 1985
  • Place of birth: Croxteth, Liverpool, England
  • Age: 36 (as of March 2022)
  • Nationality: English
  • Height: 1.76m
  • Weight: 86kg
  • Position: Forward
  • Goals: 53
  • Caps: 120 (2003-2018)
  • Clubs: Manchester United, Everton, D.C. United, Derby County
  • Facebook: @WayneRooney
  • Twitter: @WayneRooney
  • Instagram: @waynerooney
  • Net worth: $170 million

As of 17 March 2022, Harry Kane is only six goals away from replacing Rooney as the top goalscorer for England. But, for many, it is not a matter of if but when the Tottenham star will break it. So, who on this list is your favourite? Let us know in the comments!

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Authors
Helix Odhiambo photo
Helix Odhiambo
Helix Odhiambo is an award-winning Kenyan journalist and content creator with over 6 years of experience. In 2016, he won the Goal Blaze Correspondent Award for young writers.