Erling Haaland celebrated a milestone this month after reaching 50 goals for the Norway national team.
Haaland reached a half-century with a hat-trick against Israel, moving Norway closer to a first World Cup appearance since 1998.
The Manchester City striker has reached 50 goals in fewer caps than his current centre-forward rivals, while he boasts one of the best goal-per-game ratios in international football history.
The international footballers with the best goal-per-game ratio (minimum 50 goals)
5. Kunishige Kamamoto – Japan (0.99)
Japan’s all-time record scorer, Kamamoto netted almost a goal-per-game during 13-year career with the national team. The forward, who spent his entire club career with Cerezo Osaka in the J-League, scored 75 times in 76 appearances for the Samurai Blue.
A seven-time Japanese Footballer of the Year between 1966 and 1981, he was also the tournament’s leading scorer as Japan won the bronze medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
4. Gerd Muller – West Germany (1.1)
‘Der Bomber’ is recognised as one of football’s greatest-ever goalscorers, after a prolific period for club and country. Muller is the Bundesliga’s all-time record scorer with 365 goals and is one of only 10 players to have won the World Cup, the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or.
He netted 68 goals in 62 caps for the national team, which included Golden Boots at the 1970 World Cup and 1972 European Championship.
GERD MULLER ..Ace goalscorer pic.twitter.com/fUqYj1Ru80
— FootballRetroPlus (@robertmdaws) October 8, 2025
3. Sándor Kocsis – Hungary (1.1)
Part of Hungary’s fabled Mighty Magyars side alongside Ferenc Puskas and others, Kocis scored 75 goals in only 68 appearances for the national team.
He was the top scorer at the 1954 World Cup with 11 goals, including a four-goal haul to sink West Germany, as Hungary finished as runners-up.
Kocsis had earlier netted a hat-trick in the opening win over South Korea. Only Puskas (84) has outscored Kocsis n a Hungary shirt.
2. Erling Haaland – Norway (1.11)
Haaland’s hat-trick against Israel made it 51 goals in just 46 caps for Norway, with the forward having obliterated the nation’s goal record. He blitzed past Jorgen Juve’s previous national record (33) and, at just 25, has passed a half-century at international level.
It’s an incredible feat from Haaland, who is on the verge of firing Norway to their first World Cup appearance in 28 years.
Erling Haaland’s stats for Norway are simply ridiculous 🤖🇳🇴 pic.twitter.com/mTmU0i06Vn
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) October 11, 2025
1. Poul Nielsen – Denmark (1.32)
Another Scandinavian sharp-shooter leads this list with Poul Nielsen average 1.32 goals per game for Denmark. Nielsen racked up 52 goals in 38 caps for Denmark between 1910 and 1925. It’s taken 100 years for another forward to get close to his average…
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