Updated: 9 Jun 2026 20:09 BST |
3 min read
Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane overtook Wayne Rooney as England’s all-time leading goalscorer after finding the net against Italy in Euro 2024 qualifying in March 2023.
Kane scored the 54th goal of his England career from the penalty spot, sending Gigio Donnarumma the wrong way, after Declan Rice had opened the scoring in Naples.
He followed that up a matter of days later with his 55th international goal as he tallied the opener against Ukraine at Wembley. Prior to that encounter, the then-Tottenham ace had received a golden boot in commemoration of becoming the country’s all-time leading scorer.
He has since added another 24 strikes as of early June 2026. His overall record currently stands at a remarkable 79 goals in 113 games.
Kane scored twice at the World Cup in Qatar, having top-scored for England in UEFA qualifying, plundering a section joint-best 12 goals – something Atletico Madrid forward Memphis Depay, then of Barcelona, matched with the Netherlands.
Four years earlier, Kane had managed six at the World Cup in Russia in 2018 as England finished fourth.
A special moment for @HKane: England’s all-time record goalscorer! pic.twitter.com/GhJIyFiSgh
— England (@England) March 26, 2023
The next highest-scoring active player for England is Raheem Sterling, who has 20 since making his Three Lions debut back in 2012. However, the former Chelsea winger is unlikely to add any more goals after seeing his career nosedive following his move to Stamford Bridge in 2022.
Kane and Rooney are followed by the legendary Sir Bobby Charlton, who netted 49 goals during his illustrious career which saw him lift the World Cup in 1966.
Gary Lineker retired with 48 England goals to his name. He was the top scorer at the 1986 World Cup Finals in Mexico with six goals even though England went out in the quarter-finals to that year’s winners, Diego Maradona’s Argentina.
Lineker and Kane are the only two Englishmen to win the World Cup Golden Boot, with the latter matching his fellow former Tottenham man’s six some 32 years later.
Another hero of 1966, Jimmy Greaves, sits fifth with 44 goals. Michael Owen, Vivian Woodward, Nat Lofthouse, Alan Shearer and Sir Tom Finney complete the top 10.
England’s All-time Top 10 Goalscorers
| Player | Goals |
|---|---|
| 1. Harry Kane | 79 |
| 2. Wayne Rooney | 53 |
| 3. Bobby Charlton | 49 |
| 4. Gary Lineker | 48 |
| 5. Jimmy Greaves | 44 |
| =5. Vivian Woodward | 44 |
| 7. Michael Owen | 40 |
| 8. Tom Finney | 30 |
| =8. Nat Lofthouse | 30 |
| =8. Alan Shearer | 30 |
