Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James: Who are the all-time top scorers in every sport? | OneFootball

Lebron James has become the NBA’s all-time leading goalscorer after hitting 38 points during the Los Angeles Lakers 133-130 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

James’s career tally is now at 38,390 points, surpassing the record of 38,387 set by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1984.

It is an impressive feat from one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and James now finds himself in the history books alongside the other all-time top scorers across sport.

GiveMeSport VIDEO OF THE DAY

Play Video

So who exactly is James now on par with? GiveMeSport can answer that with a list of the highest scorers in each individual sport.

First, a couple of caveats. We’ve tried to include female athletes as much as we can, but the record books have let us down somewhat, and in some cases it’s been impossible to determine the highest scorers in certain women’s sports.

In addition, in some sports such as tennis, we’ve had to focus on matches won rather than points scored, due to a lack of data.

Regardless, the list still gives a good idea of who has absolutely excelled in their respective sport. So let’s get cracking!

Basketball

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 07: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers addresses the crowd after scoring to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer, surpassing Abdul-Jabbar's career total of 38,387 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena on February 07, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

WNBA: Diana Taurasi, 9,693 points

Like James, Taurasi is still an active basketball player. Both stars have the chance to increase their points record significantly, consolidating their position at the top of the NBA and WNBA’s respective leaderboards.

DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 10: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal looks on during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match between Morocco and Portugal at Al Thumama Stadium on December 10, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Men’s football: Cristiano Ronaldo, 822 goals

International women’s football: Cristine Sinclair, 190 goals

Ronaldo broke the all-time goal record in men’s football in March 2022, beating the tally of 805 set by Josef Bican in the 1950s.

Unfortunately, the equivalent record in women’s football was not available. But we do know that Sinclair is the highest goalscorer in international football, with an impressive 190 goals for Canada.

ZAPOPAN, MEXICO - NOVEMBER 08: WTA Legend Ambassador Martina Navratilova attends the Official Draw Ceremony and Gala Evening before the 2021 Akron WTA Finals Guadalajara at Zapopan City Hall on November 08, 2021 in Zapopan, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images for WTA)

Men’s tennis: Jimmy Connors, 1,274 matches

Women’s tennis: Martina Navratilova, 1,442 matches

Roger Federer was unable to surpass Connors’s record before his retirement, but came extremely close with 1251 match wins.

While Navratilova was one of the most dominant tennis players in history, boasting a 74 match winning streak from 1983 to 1984, the amount of victories under her belt is still absolutely astonishing.

Cricket

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 19: Mithali Raj of India bats during the 2022 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup match between India and Australia at Eden Park on March 19, 2022 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Men’s cricket: Sachin Tendulkar, 15,921 runs

Women’s cricket: Mithali Raj, 10,868 runs

These records span across all three cricket formats – test, one day international and T20. Tendulkar achieved his impressive tally from 1989 to 2013, while Raj only just retired from international cricket in June.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 20: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes looks on ahead of the F1 2022 End of Year photo prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 20, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton, 4405.5 points

W Series: Jamie Chadwick, 312 points

A seven-time world champion, it’s little surprise that Hamilton has accumulated the most F1 points over his successful career.

There’s only been three seasons of the W Series, but Chadwick has won every single one. So again, no surprises to see her with the record point tally.

Hockey

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 31: Pietie Coetzee of South Africa controls the ball during the Women's Hockey Match between South Africa and New Zealand on day 4 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Riverbank Arena on July 31, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)

Men’s hockey: Dhyan Chand, 570 goals

Women’s hockey: Pietie Coetzee, 282 goals

Chand and Coetzee have the record for international goals scored in field hockey, with both players incredibly successful with India and South Africa respectively.

Rugby Union

SOUTHBRIDGE, NEW ZEALAND - JULY 04: Dan Carter of Southbridge speaks to the media after the win in the Ellesmere Premier Competition match between Southbridge RFC and West Melton RFC on July 04, 2020 in Southbridge, New Zealand. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

International men’s rugby union: Dan Carter, 1,598

Carter, who won two World Cups with the All Blacks, is considered one of the greatest rugby players to grace the pitch. His point tally is truly something to behold.

Unfortunately, it’s proven difficult to find the equivalent record in women’s rugby, although New Zealand’s Portia Woodman is the highest try-scorer in World Cup history.

COOPERSTOWN, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 08: Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson attends the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Clark Sports Center on September 08, 2021 in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

MLB: Rickey Henderson, 2,295 runs

Henderson scored his 2,295th run in September 2003, setting a record which will be extremely difficult to break by any other MLB player.

INGLEWOOD, CA - 1989: Wayne Gretzky #99 of the Los Angeles Kings tries to score against the Chicago Blackhawks during an NHL game at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

NHL: Wayne Gretzky, 894 goals

Wayne Gretzky is widely considered the ice hockey GOAT, and his NHL goal record has stood since 1999.

American Football

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 29: Adam Vinatieri #4 of the Indianapolis Colts warms-up before the start of the game against the Oakland Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)

NFL: Adam Vinatieri, 2,673 points

Vinatieri only retired in 2021, enjoying an impressive 24-season career as a kicker. During this time, he became the NFL's all-time leading scorer.