Football is a sport steeped in history and tradition, with countless records set and broken over the years. However, some achievements stand the test of time, remaining unbroken and seemingly untouchable.
As we look at the current state of the beautiful game in 2024, we’ve compiled a list of the top 15 football records that might never be broken. From incredible goal-scoring feats to unprecedented team dominance, these records showcase the exceptional talent and dedication of the players and teams who achieved them.
Let’s dive into the list and explore the remarkable achievements that may forever be etched in the annals of football history.
1. Lionel Messi winning 8 Balon D’ors & 6 golden boots
Lionel Messi has cemented his status as one of the greatest soccer players of all time, winning an unprecedented eight Balon d’Or awards and six Golden Boot awards.
Messi’s impressive career has been marked by his exceptional skill, speed, and goal-scoring ability, earning him numerous accolades and records. His eight Balon d’Or awards surpass the previous record held by Cristiano Ronaldo, and his six Golden Boot awards demonstrate his consistent ability to find the back of the net. Messi’s achievements have made him a legend in the soccer world, and he continues to inspire and impress fans around the globe.
2. Chelsea conceding only 15 goals at home in 2004/05 EPL season
During the 2004/05 English Premier League season, Chelsea, under the management of José Mourinho, conceded only 15 goals in 38 matches . Their strong defense was a key factor in their Premier League title win that season, their first in 50 years . They also set a record for fewest goals conceded away from home, with only nine
3. Real Madrid winning the most number of Champions League competitions in a row, having won the title consecutively five times from 1956-60
Real Madrid, the Spanish football giant, made history by winning the Champions League title consecutively five times from 1956 to 1960, a record that still stands today. Led by legendary players like Alfredo Di Stéfano, Ferenc Puskás, and Francisco Gento, the team’s exceptional skill, strategy, and dedication earned them this impressive streak. This achievement cemented Real Madrid’s status as one of the greatest football teams of all time, with individual accolades following, including Cristiano Ronaldo becoming the top scorer in Champions League history and several players winning six titles with the club.
4. Lewandowski scoring 5 goals in 9 minutes
Robert Lewandowski, a Polish striker for Bayern Munich, made history in a thrilling match against VfL Wolfsburg in September 2015, scoring five goals in an astonishing nine minutes. Coming off the bench in the second half, Lewandowski’s blistering pace saw him net three goals in just four minutes, the fastest hat trick in Bundesliga history. He went on to score two more, becoming the only substitute to score five goals in a Bundesliga match and the first Bayern Munich player to achieve this feat since Dieter Hoeness in 1984. This incredible display cemented Lewandowski’s reputation as one of the most prolific strikers in the game.
5. Toni Kroos winning 6 Club World Cup titles
Toni Kroos, the German midfielder, has won a record six FIFA Club World Cup titles, solidifying his status as one of the most successful players in the competition’s history. Kroos won four titles with Real Madrid (2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018) and two with Bayern Munich (2013 and 2020). His consistent excellence and leadership on the pitch have made him an integral part of his teams’ success, earning him this impressive accolade.
6. Cristiano Ronaldo Scoring 50+ goals for 6 consecutive seasons
Cristiano Ronaldo achieved an unprecedented feat by scoring over 50 goals in six consecutive seasons (2011-2017), showcasing his remarkable consistency and goal-scoring prowess. During this period, he played for Real Madrid and scored: 53 goals in 2010-11, 63 in 2011-12, 55 in 2012-13, 51 in 2013-14, 61 in 2014-15, and 55 in 2015-16, cementing his status as one of the greatest goal-scorers in football history.
7. Rogerio Ceni scoring 128 career goals as a goalkeeper
Rogerio Ceni, a Brazilian goalkeeper, defied convention by scoring an astonishing 128 career goals, a record for a goalkeeper. Ceni’s remarkable ability to convert free kicks and penalties made him a threat from behind the net, earning him the nickname “The Goalkeeper-Striker.” His impressive tally includes 61 free kick goals and 21 penalties, making him a legendary figure in the world of football. Ceni’s unique skillset and achievements have inspired generations of goalkeepers and fans alike.
8. In 2012 Leo Messi’s 91 goals in 69 games was an unbelievable stat, as he set the record for most goals in a calendar year
Lionel Messi’s incredible feat in 2012, scoring 91 goals in just 69 games, set a record for most goals in a calendar year that still stands today. This astonishing achievement showcased his unparalleled skill, speed, and goal-scoring ability, cementing his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Messi’s remarkable tally included 79 goals for Barcelona and 12 for the Argentine national team, leaving fans and critics alike in awe of his exceptional talent.
9. Ronaldo has scored 100+ goals in 3 different leagues and for country making it a hard record to imitate.
Cristiano Ronaldo has achieved a remarkable feat by scoring over 100 goals in three different leagues (English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, and Italian Serie A) and for his country (Portugal), a record that highlights his exceptional consistency, skill, and dedication. This achievement demonstrates his ability to adapt and thrive in different environments, making him one of the most successful and versatile goal-scorers in football history. Ronaldo’s impressive tally has set a high standard, making it a challenging record for other players to match.
10. Sadio Mané fastest premier league hat-trick in 2 minutes 56 seconds (176 seconds)
Yes, Sadio Mané holds the record for the fastest hat-trick in the Premier League, scoring three goals in 2 minutes and 56 seconds for Southampton against Aston Villa on May 16, 2015.
11. Messi, in 2012-13, he went 21 consecutive La Liga games with a goal.
Lionel Messi’s incredible run in the 2012-2013 La Liga season saw him score in 21 consecutive games, a record that showcases his remarkable consistency and goal-scoring prowess. During this streak, he scored an astonishing 33 goals, with the impressive feat of scoring against all 19 other teams in the league. This achievement demonstrates Messi’s ability to perform against any opponent, solidifying his status as one of the greatest players in football history.
12. Arsenal set the record for the longest unbeaten run in the Premier League at 49 games, which, of course, included a title for their Invincibles
Arsenal holds the record for the longest unbeaten run in the Premier League, with an impressive 49 games without a loss from May 7, 2003, to October 24, 2004 .
This remarkable feat was achieved under the management of Arsène Wenger and included the entirety of their 2003-04 season, earning the team the nickname “The Invincibles”
During this period, Arsenal won the Premier League title in the 2003-04 season, going the entire campaign without a single defeat .
13. The 55-year-old is the oldest men’s professional player
Kazuyoshi Miura is currently the oldest soccer player ever in the world at the age of 55 and he continues to break his age record when he re-signs at the start of a new season. Because he remains active today, Miura is also the oldest active soccer player.
Miura, who is affectionately called Kazu, started his soccer career in 1986 and rose to fame in the early 1990s, making him Japan’s first soccer superstar.
14. Čech’s 24 clean sheets still hold up as the most in a single Premier League season
Yes, Petr Čech’s record of 24 clean sheets in the 2004-05 season still stands as the most in a single Premier League season cech achieved this record during his first season with Chelsea, helping the team win the title. This record is a testament to Čech’s exceptional goalkeeping skills and his ability to consistently prevent opponents from scoring throughout the season
15. Pelé stands alone in the history of football as the only player to have achieved the unbelievable record of winning three World Cup titles
Pelé stands alone in the history of football as the only player to have achieved the unbelievable record of winning three World Cup titles, a remarkable triumph that has yet to be broken and may forever remain unchallenged, cementing his status as one of the GOATs.