Top 10 Goalkeepers with the most career goals scored in football history

Goalkeepers are usually the last line of defense, renowned for their shot-stopping skills and commanding presence in the penalty box. However, a select few have made history not just by keeping goals out but by scoring them. While it’s rare, some goalkeepers have taken penalties, free-kicks, or even scored from open play, becoming cult heroes in the process.

10. Misael Alfaro

El Salvadoran keeper Misael Alfaro completes the list with 31 goals. A penalty specialist, Alfaro played much of his career in El Salvador’s top division and contributed significantly in both goalkeeping and scoring roles.

Rank	Goalkeeper	Goals Scored	Country
10	Misael Alfaro	31	El Salvador

9. Fernando Patterson

Fernando Patterson, originally from Jamaica but a long-time resident of Costa Rica, was known for his calm presence in goal and his penalty-taking skills. He scored 35 goals, mostly during his time with clubs like Xelajú MC in Guatemala.

Rank	Goalkeeper	Goals Scored	Country
9	Fernando Patterson	35	Costa Rica

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8. Hans-Jörg Butt

German goalkeeper Hans-Jörg Butt is best known for scoring penalties—especially in big matches. He scored 37 goals in his career, including one in the UEFA Champions League while playing for Bayern Munich. Butt is also one of the few goalkeepers to have scored against Juventus in a Champions League game.

Rank	Goalkeeper	Goals Scored	Country
8	Hans-Jörg Butt	37	Germany

7. Márcio

Another Brazilian on the list, Márcio scored most of his goals playing in the Brazilian leagues, primarily through penalties. With an estimated 37 to 40 goals, Márcio was a reliable scorer from the spot and enjoyed a long career in domestic football.

Rank	Goalkeeper	Goals Scored	Country
7	Márcio	37–40	Brazil

6. Dimitar Ivankov

Bulgarian keeper Dimitar Ivankov made a name for himself in the Turkish Super Lig and Bulgaria’s domestic league. A proficient penalty taker, he is believed to have scored 40 to 42 goals in his career. His consistent goal-scoring ability from the spot made him a unique asset for clubs like Levski Sofia and Kayserispor.

Rank	Goalkeeper	Goals Scored	Country
6	Dimitar Ivankov	40–42	Bulgaria

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5. René Higuita

Famous for his “Scorpion Kick” and his sweeper-keeper style, René Higuita was a revolutionary figure in football. He scored 43 career goals, many of which came through penalties and free-kicks. Higuita was unafraid to venture outside the box and often took risks with the ball at his feet sometimes to his team’s detriment, but always entertaining to watch.

Rank	Goalkeeper	Goals Scored	Country
5	René Higuita	43	Colombia

4. Johnny Vegas

Peruvian goalkeeper Johnny Vegas Fernández was another rare talent with a knack for scoring. Playing in Peru’s top division, he managed to score between 41 and 45 goals, mostly through penalties. Vegas never made a huge mark internationally, but in his domestic league, he was a consistent and reliable goal-scorer for multiple clubs.

Rank	Goalkeeper	Goals Scored	Country
4	Johnny Vegas	41–45	Peru

3. Jorge Campos

One of the most colorful and unconventional Goalkeepers, Jorge Campos was known for his flamboyant kits and ability to play as a striker. In fact, early in his career, he often played as a forward when not in goal. Campos scored around 46 goals, many of them while playing as an outfield player. His athleticism and versatility made him a fan favorite in Mexico and around the world.

Rank	Goalkeeper	Goals Scored	Country
3	Jorge Campos	46	Mexico

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2. José Luis Chilavert

Paraguayan legend José Luis Chilavert was known as much for his explosive character as his powerful left foot. He scored 67 goals in his career, many from free-kicks and penalties, both at club and international levels. Chilavert is also the only Goalkeepers in football history to have scored a hat-trick, which he achieved while playing for Vélez Sarsfield in Argentina. He was also a key figure for Paraguay in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups.

Rank	Goalkeeper	Goals Scored	Country
2	José Luis Chilavert	67	Paraguay

1. Rogério Ceni

Rogério Ceni is the undisputed king of goal-scoring goalkeepers. Playing almost his entire career at São Paulo FC, Ceni was not just a legendary keeper but also a set-piece specialist. He regularly took penalties and free-kicks and was entrusted with that responsibility because of his incredible accuracy. Across over 1,200 appearances, Ceni scored 129 to 131 goals, a record that may never be broken. He remains a symbol of loyalty and excellence in Brazilian football.

Rank	Goalkeeper	Goals Scored	Country
1	Rogério Ceni	129–131	Brazil

Final Thoughts

These remarkable goalkeepers defied tradition by becoming threats on both ends of the pitch. Their unique talents have added a layer of unpredictability and excitement to the game, proving that even the last line of defense can become match-winners.

Rank	Goalkeepers	Goals Scored	Country
1	Rogério Ceni	129–131	Brazil
2	José Luis Chilavert	67	Paraguay
3	Jorge Campos	46	Mexico
4	Johnny Vegas	41–45	Peru
5	René Higuita	43	Colombia
6	Dimitar Ivankov	40–42	Bulgaria
7	Márcio	37–40	Brazil
8	Hans-Jörg Butt	37	Germany
9	Fernando Patterson	35	Costa Rica
10	Misael Alfaro	31	El Salvador

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