Norway’s all-time top scorer reached this milestone faster than several global superstars, including Harry Kane (71 games), Neymar (74), Kylian Mbappé and Robert Lewandowski (both 90), Lionel Messi (107), and Cristiano Ronaldo (114).
However, Haaland isn’t the quickest ever to do it. That record belongs to Danish legend Poul Nielsen, who hit 50 goals in only 36 games between 1910 and 1924.
Two other greats, West Germany’s Gerd Müller and Hungary’s Ferenc Puskás, share second place, both reaching 50 goals in 41 matches. Müller famously finished his career with more goals than appearances, scoring 68 in 62 games and hitting his 50th for West Germany in 1972.
Puskás achieved the same feat two decades earlier, reaching 50 goals in 1952 before ending his Hungary career with 84 goals in 85 games. His legendary status lives on through the Puskás Award, the stadium that bears his name, and clubs named in his honor.
Another Hungarian, Sándor Kocsis, also sits ahead of Haaland. He scored 50 goals in just 42 matches, reaching the milestone in 1954 and finishing with 75 goals in 68 appearances, another striker who scored more times than he played.
Still, Haaland can take pride in the fact that he reached 50 international goals faster than Brazilian icon Pelé, who needed 49 games to reach that mark before retiring with 77 goals in 92 appearances for Brazil.
