Germany have struggled in recent years at major tournaments, going out at the group stage of the last two World Cups and being eliminated by rivals England at the most recent European Championship.
However, historically, Germany have had some of the best players in world football wearing the famous white and black shirts, including some free-scoring attackers.
But who is Germany’s best in front of goal? We have taken a look at the top German goalscorers of all time, with a detailed look at the very best the nation has produced over the years…
All information correct as of 15th May 2025.
Rank
Player
Caps
Goals
1
Miroslav Klose
137
71
2
Gerd Muller
62
68
3
Lukas Podolski
130
49
=4
Rudi Voller
90
47
=4
Jurgen Klinsmann
108
47
=6
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
95
45
=6
Thomas Muller
131
45
8
Uwe Seeler
72
43
9
Michael Ballack
98
42
10
Oliver Bierhoff
70
37
11
Fritz Walter
61
33
12
Klaus Fischer
45
32
=13
Ernst Lehner
65
31
=13
Mario Gomez
78
31
15
Andreas Moller
85
29
16
Edmund Conen
28
27
=17
Richard Hofmann
25
24
=17
Timo Werner
57
24
=17
Bastian Schweinsteiger
121
24
=19
Mesut Ozil
92
23
=19
Lothar Matthaus
150
23
Here is a detailed look at Germany’s top 10 goalscorers:
10 Oliver Bierhoff 37 goals (70 caps)
Physical striker Oliver Bierhoff was a regular for Germany between 1996-2002, with the forward playing in four major tournaments.
Bierhoff took over from Jurgen Klinsmann as captain in 1998 and his most iconic moment in a Germany shirt was arguably a blistering seven-minute hat-trick in a crucial World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland, helping overturn a 1-0 deficit late on.
9 Michael Ballack 42 goals (98 caps)
Known by many as a powerful box-to-box midfielder, Michael Ballack also chipped in with plenty of goals for Germany over 12 years, 10 of which were from the penalty spot.
The former Bayern Munich and Chelsea star captained his country but was also involved in some drama toward the end of his international career, rejecting the chance to reach 100 caps due to a bust-up with Joachim Low.
8 Uwe Seeler 43 goals (72 caps)
Hamburger SV icon Uwe Seeler represented Germany for over 17 years, turning out in four World Cups and was the first player to score two goals in four separate editions of the competition.
Seeler was part of the side that made the final in 1966 against England and ended his international career with 43 goals.
7 Thomas Muller 45 goals (131 caps)
Versatile forward Thomas Muller played for Germany from 2010 until 2024, with the attacker quitting international football after Euro 2024.
He had looked to be hanging up his national boots after a group stage exit at the 2022 World Cup, but instead helped Germany to the last eight of their home Euros.
Muller had his best year in front of goal in 2014, the year Germany won the World Cup, scoring 10 times in 15 appearances.
6 Karl-Heinz Rummenigge 45 goals (95 caps)
Former Bayern Munich striker Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had a low start to his international career, scoring just once in his first two years as a German striker. However, he soon hit his prime and was the world’s best player, winning the Ballon d’Or in 1980 and 1981.
Rummenigge suffered World Cup final heartbreak in both 1982 and 1986, however, he did help Germany win the European Championships in 1980.
5 Jurgen Klinsmann 47 goals (108 caps)
Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Jurgen Klinsmann made more than 100 appearances for Germany and scored close to 50 goals, with his debut coming in 1987.
The forward, who also represented Germany at the Olympic Games, retired in 1998. Klinsmann then actually returned to the national team set up as Germany’s new head coach six years later and led his country in the 2006 World Cup.
4 Rudi Voller 47 goals (90 caps)
Rudi Voller is next on the list, netting 47 goals in 90 appearances. He scored in the 1986 World Cup final defeat to Argentina and his last two goals for Germany came in the 1994 World Cup.
Four years after retiring, Voller would go on to manage Bayer Leverkusen, Germany and Roma. He recently returned for a short interim role in charge of Germany after Hansi Flick left his post in 2023.
3 Lukas Podolski 49 goals (130 caps)
Despite being born in Poland, Lukas Podolski opted to represent Germany and made his debut as a teenager in 2004. It was 2006 when Podolski hit his prime for his country, scoring 12 goals in 17 games, three of which came at the World Cup.
The powerful forward represented his nation in an impressive seven major tournaments, winning the World Cup in 2014 before retiring three years later, one goal shy of a half-century.
2 Gerd Muller 68 goals (62 caps)
Iconic striker Gerd Muller was actually Germany’s all-time top scorer for almost 40 years, averaging more than a goal a game between 1966 and 1974.
The prolific forward found the back of the net with ease for both club and country and was the Ballon d’Or winner in 1970. He helped Germany win the European Championship in 1972 and the World Cup in 1974, famously quitting international football after the triumph on home soil.
1 Miroslav Klose 71 goals (137 caps)
Top of the charts is Miroslav Klose, with the former Werder Bremen, Bayern Munich and Lazio striker enjoying a 14-year international career, breaking Muller’s record in 2014. He bagged more than 10 goals for his country in 2002, 2006 and 2010, saving his best in front of goal on the big stage.
Not only Germany’s top scorer, Klose also holds the record for the most goals scored in the World Cup with 16 and retired shortly after winning the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.