Some records in football are so difficult to beat that they seem unbreakable, hence, we’ll consider 20 of these.
Football records are enduring symbols of achievement, serving as benchmarks and inspirations for players. Some records, like Just Fontaine’s 13 goals in a World Cup or Messi’s 91-goal haul in 2012, seem insurmountable due to their historical context and sheer magnitude.
Breaking such records demands exceptional talent, favourable circumstances, and dedication. However, the evolving nature of the game, along with new training methods and global talent, keeps hope alive for surpassing these records.
In this article, we shall be focusing on the top 20 unbreakable football records in no particular order.
Read Also: Football Records Broken In 2021
List of Top 20 Unbreakable Football Records
Below are 20 unbreakable records in football that need our attention.
1. Largest Margin of Victory
The record holder for the largest margin of football victory is AS Adema where in 2002, they defeated Stade Olympique l’Emyrne, 149-0. This was only possible because Stade Olympique l’Emyrne intentionally conceded goals in protest of a refereeing decision.
Breaking this record is nearly impossible due to the extraordinary circumstances and the vast number of goals scored.
2. Most World Cup Goals in a single tournament
This record is held by French football legend, Just Fontaine who scored 13 goals in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.
The closest records to this are Germany’s Miroslav Klose (16 goals in four tournaments) and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (15 goals in three tournaments)
This record is difficult to break as it requires exceptional individual talent and favourable circumstances, particularly in a short tournament timeframe.
3. Messi’s 91-Goal Haul in one year
Argentina and Inter Miami star, Lionel Messi holds the record for the longest goal haul in one year racking up 91 goals for Barcelona and Argentina in 2012.
The closest attempt to this record is Germany’s Gerd Müller who racked up 85 goals for Bayern Munich and Germany in 1972.
This record is difficult to break because it requires sustained individual brilliance throughout the year across multiple competitions.
4. Shortest Goal Concession in a Premier League Season
Making it to the list of top 20 unbreakable football records is Chelsea’s 15-goal Concession in the 2004-05 season, which comes as the shortest goal concession in any Premier League season.
Under the guidance of “the special one”, Jose Mourinho, Chelsea FC amassed 25 clean sheets, a tally that is yet to be broken by another Premier League team.
The closest to attempt the record is rivals, Manchester United who had only 18 goals in the 2009-10 Premier League season.
This record will be a hard one to beat because it demands an exceptional defensive unit and consistency throughout a long season.
5. 50+ Goals in 6 Seasons
Cristiano Ronaldo’s remarkable feat of scoring 50+ goals for six consecutive seasons stands as a monolith in the landscape of football records. This achievement, accomplished between 2010-11 and 2015-16, speaks volumes of his exceptional longevity, relentless work ethic, and unwavering focus on goal-scoring.
While Lionel Messi has come close, reaching the 50+ mark in four seasons, Ronaldo’s six-year run stands alone.
The difficulty in breaking this record lies in the combination of factors it demands. It requires a talent capable of producing magical moments and converting chances with incredible efficiency.
6. Most International Goals
The record for the most international goals is held by Cristiano Ronaldo with 116 goals.
Hot on his heels is Lionel Messi, with 90 goals to his name.
The difficulty of breaking this record is undeniable. Both players are still active and competing at the highest level, making the record constantly vulnerable. They continue to defy age and expectations, adding to their tally year after year.
To surpass this record, a player would need exceptional talent, scoring ability, and longevity and durability to compete at an elite level for an extended period. They would have to consistently perform under the intense pressure of international competition and maintain their scoring touch throughout their career.
7. Premier League Unbeaten Run
Under Arsène Wenger’s guidance, Arsenal’s 2003-04 season stands unparalleled in Premier League history. Dubbed “The Invincibles,” they achieved an unbeaten run with 26 wins and 12 draws, showcasing dominance through the solid defence and clinical attacks led by Henry, Bergkamp, and Vieira.
Notably, Manchester City’s 2017-18 attempt fell short after 19 games unbeaten, emphasizing the immense difficulty of such a feat.
To break this record a team needs to have exceptional consistency, dominant performance and amazing mental fortitude
8. Most Consecutive Ballon d’Or Wins
Lionel Messi holds the record for the most consecutive Ballon d’Or wind with 4 consecutive wins from 2009-2012.
Messi’s dominance during this period was unparalleled, solidifying his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
This record is difficult to break as it requires exceptional individual talent and sustained peak performance over several years.
9. Fastest Hat-Trick in Premier League
This record is held by Sadio Mane at a time of 2 minutes and 56 seconds in 2015 while playing for Liverpool FC.
This record exemplifies Mane’s explosive pace and clinical finishing ability.
It is difficult to break as it demands incredible speed, composure, and the perfect set of circumstances to score three goals in such a short time.
10. Most Goals in International Football
Iranian and Bayern Munich legend, Ali Daei holds the record for the most goals in international football, racking up 109 international goals.
This record stands as a testament to his longevity and consistent goal-scoring prowess on the international stage.
The record is difficult to break as it requires exceptional longevity, playing in a competitive national team, and maintaining a high scoring rate throughout one’s career.
11. Most Consecutive World Cup Titles
This record is held by Brazil with 5 consecutive wins from 1958-1970.
This record represents an era of unparalleled Brazilian dominance in football, with iconic players like Pelé and Garrincha leading the charge.
This record is difficult to break as it demands exceptional talent, teamwork, and consistency across multiple World Cup tournaments, facing the best teams in the world.
12. Longest Unbeaten Home Run in League Football
This record is held by Scottish Premiership giants, Celtic with 62 games unbeaten in the 1915-1917 season.
This record highlights Celtic’s exceptional home form and defensive solidity during this period.
It will be hard for any team to break this record as they need a consistent performance, a strong home advantage, and the ability to avoid defeat for an extended period to make it happen.
13. Most Goals in a Single European Club Season
Held by Hungarian football legend, Ferenc Puskás when he scored 60 goals for Real Madrid in the 1959-60 La Liga season.
This record represents an incredible feat of individual scoring prowess, showcasing Puskás’s exceptional talent and finishing ability.
This is a hard record to beat as breaking it requires exceptional talent, playing for a dominant team, and consistently finding the net across a demanding European campaign.
14. Most Consecutive League Titles
This record is credited to Latvi’s Skonto FC, winning 14 consecutive Latvian Higher League titles between 1991-2004.
This record highlights Skonto FC’s sustained dominance in the Latvian league, demonstrating their consistent performance and strategic approach.
This record can only be broken if teams can acquire a strong organizational structure, financial stability, and the ability to attract and retain talented players year after year.
15. Fastest Goal in Premier League
Also on this list of top 20 unbreakable football records, is Britain and Tottenham legend, Ledley King holds this record scoring a goal at 9.9 seconds for Tottenham Hotspur against Bradford City in 2000.
This record exemplifies lightning-fast reactions and opportunistic play, showcasing King’s athleticism and awareness.
Breaking this record requires exceptional speed, anticipation, and a fortunate combination of circumstances within the first few seconds of the game.
16. Most Goals in a Calendar Year (Female)
This record is held by United States football legend, Abby Wambach who scored 27 goals for the United States Women’s National Team in 2012.
This record highlights Wambach’s prolific scoring ability and leadership on the international stage, showcasing her impact on the game.
Female footballers who hope to break this record will have a hard time as doing it demands exceptional talent, playing opportunities for the national team, and a consistent scoring rate throughout the entire calendar year.
17. Longest Consecutive Scoring Streak in La Liga
This record is also held by the one and only Lionel Messi who scored back-to-back in 21 consecutive matches for Barcelona in the 2012-2013 La Liga season.
This record represents Messi’s incredible consistency and goal-scoring prowess during this period, solidifying his status as a scoring machine.
For those who want to break this record, they’d need exceptional talent, maintaining peak performance over a long stretch of matches, and facing top La Liga defences week after week.
18. Most Goals in a Single Bundesliga Season
Gerd Müller finally claims a record on the list for scoring 40 goals for Bayern Munich in the 1971-72 Bundesliga season.
Müller’s record stands as a monumental achievement, showcasing his exceptional scoring prowess and solidifying his status as a Bundesliga legend.
To topple this German and Bayern Munich legend off this list, every Bundesliga player must have sustained scoring throughout the season, playing for a dominant team, and overcoming the defensive challenges of the Bundesliga.
19. Most Appearances for a Single Club
Italian and AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini holds this record, raking up 902 appearances for AC Milan in his career between 1978 and 2009.
Maldini’s record represents unparalleled dedication, loyalty, and longevity at the highest level of the sport.
Anyone looking to break this record requires exceptional physical fitness, a long and injury-free career, and unwavering commitment to a single club.
20. Youngest Premier League Goal Scorer
Making it to the list of top 20 unbreakable football records is Britain’s James Vaughan holds this record for Everton FC when at 16 years and 271 days, he put one in the net for Everton in their League game against Crystal Palace in 2005.
Vaughan’s record marks a precocious talent emerging on the biggest stage, showcasing his potential for a bright future.
This record is difficult to break as it demands exceptional talent, overcoming the physical and mental challenges of professional football at a young age, and seizing the opportunity to score in a competitive Premier League match.
Final words
Now that we have checked out the top 20 unbreakable football records, let us keep in mind that these records represent the pinnacle of achievement in football, serving as benchmarks for future generations and showcasing the extraordinary feats that can be achieved through dedication, talent, and teamwork.
Which football record will seem unbreakable this year?
