Top 13 Ligue 1 Goal Scorers of All Time

French football has a long and rich history, and the list of Ligue 1 goal scorers is filled with players who have shown amazing skills and steady performance over the years. These legends haven’t just filled the scoreboards; they've become part of football stories.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the 13 greatest French Ligue 1 goal scorers, hitting on their key moments, personal achievements, and lasting impact on the league.

13 Ligue 1 Goal Scorers of All Time

1. Delio Onnis - 299 goals

2. Bernard Lacombe - 255 goals

3. Hervé Revelli - 216 goals

4. Roger Courtois - 210 goals

5. Thadée Cisowski - 206 goals

6. Roger Piantoni - 203 goals

7. Kylian Mbappé - 191 goals

8. Joseph Ujlaki - 190 goals

9. Fleury Di Nallo - 187 goals

10. Carlos Bianchi - 179 goals

11. Gunnar Andersson - 179 goals

12. Hassan Akesbi - 173 goals

13. Just Fontaine - 164 goals


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13. Just Fontaine - 164 goals

Just Fontaine is best known for scoring a record 13 goals in the 1958 FIFA World Cup. He was also a great scorer for his clubs, bagging 164 goals in 200 games while playing for Nice and Reims. His strike rate of 0.82 goals per game is among the best ever. With Reims, he won three Ligue 1 titles in 1958, 1960, and 1962 and made it to the European Cup final in 1959, where they lost to Real Madrid.Image Credit: GettyImages

His career was cut short by injury at just 28, yet his impact was so profound that he is still revered as one of the greatest ligue 1 all time top scorers. His finishing skills, positioning, and ability to perform in big matches made him a tough challenge for defenders both in France and elsewhere.

12. Hassan Akesbi - 173 goals

Hassan Akesbi, a Moroccan forward, was one of the first African players to make a name for himself in Ligue 1. He mostly played for Nîmes and Reims during the late 1950s and early 1960s, racking up 173 goals in 293 games. Known for his calm demeanor in front of the net and smart movement without the ball, he played a key role in Nîmes' strong title challenge in 1958.

Later, he found success at Reims during one of their best times. As a trailblazer for African talent in Europe, Akesbi paved the way for many future stars, leaving a legacy as one of the most influential Ligue 1 goal scorers from outside Europe.

11. Gunnar Andersson - 179 goals

Gunnar Andersson, the Swedish striker, is still a legend at Marseille. He scored most of his 179 Ligue 1 goals during the 1950s after joining the team from Sweden in 1950. With his strong presence and ability in the air, he quickly became a favorite. He was the top scorer in Ligue 1 twice, in 1951-52 and 1952-53, and he’s still the club's all-time leading scorer across all competitions.Image Credit: GettyImages

Back then, foreign players weren’t as common in France, which makes his success even more impressive. Andersson didn’t just put up numbers, he played a big role in making Marseille a strong contender in the league and won the hearts of fans, leaving a lasting legacy among Ligue 1 scorers.

10. Carlos Bianchi - 179 goals

Carlos Bianchi, the Argentine striker, was a goal-scoring machine. He joined Reims in 1973 and made an instant impact in Ligue 1, winning the Golden Boot with 30 goals in his first season. Over the next seven years at Reims and PSG, he scored 179 goals in just 220 games, averaging 0.81 goals per game.Image Credit: GettyImages

Bianchi was known for his precise finishing which he rarely missed from close range, and knew how to take advantage of defensive mistakes. He was Ligue 1’s top scorer five times, and his ability to maintain high scoring numbers across different clubs places him among the most feared French Ligue 1 top scorers of all time. 

After heading back to Argentina to wrap up his playing days, he enjoyed a successful coaching career, winning several Copa Libertadores titles with Boca Juniors.

9. Fleury Di Nallo - 187 goals

Fleury Di Nallo, often called the “Little Prince of Gerland,” is a true legend for Lyon. He played for the club from 1960 to 1975 and racked up 187 goals in Ligue 1, making him the top scorer in the club's history. Di Nallo wasn't just a goal-scorer; he had great ball control, could nail long shots, and was known for his free kicks.Image Credit: GettyImages

His scoring helped Lyon win several Coupe de France titles in 1964, 1967, and 1973. During a time when players were constantly moving around, he stayed loyal to Lyon. On the international stage, he earned 10 caps for France and scored once, but the tough competition limited his chances. 

In Lyon’s history, his name remains synonymous with consistency, passion, and being a relentless Ligue 1 goal scorer.

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8. Joseph Ujlaki - 190 goals

Joseph Ujlaki, who was born in Hungary, made a name for himself as a solid striker in French football during the 1950s and 60s. He played for teams like Stade Français, Nîmes, Nice, and RC Paris, racking up 190 goals in Ligue 1 over a long career. What set Ujlaki apart was his ability to adapt; he could play both as a centre-forward and an inside forward, changing his game depending on what the team needed.Image Credit: GettyImages

He wasn’t the flashiest player out there, but his dependability made him a key player for every club he joined. His most prolific spells came with Nîmes, where he regularly finished among the league’s leading Ligue 1 scorers

Ujlaki’s career stands as a testament to professionalism and technical consistency across different environments.

7. Kylian Mbappé - 191 goals

Kylian Mbappé, born in 1998, is the youngest player on this list and definitely one of the most exciting. He started making waves at AS Monaco, helping them win the Ligue 1 title in 2016–17 before making a big move to Paris Saint-Germain. By 2025, he had scored 191 goals in Ligue 1 and won six straight top scorer awards from 2018–19 to 2023–24, which is pretty impressive.Image Credit: GettyImages

His speed, sharp finishing, and ability to read the game really give defenders a hard time. During his time at PSG, he won several league titles and domestic cups and even reached the UEFA Champions League final in 2020. On the international stage, he won the FIFA World Cup in 2018, scoring in the final, and made it to the final again in 2022, where he scored an amazing hat-trick.

His story in Ligue 1 may not yet be complete, but his current standing among the Ligue 1 all time top scorers suggests he could challenge Delio Onnis’s record if he remains in France.

6. Roger Piantoni - 203 goals

Roger Piantoni was a talented forward born in 1931, known for both his ability to score and set up plays. He started his career at AS Nancy before joining Stade de Reims in 1957, where he teamed up with Just Fontaine and Jean Vincent to create a standout attacking trio.Image Credit: GettyImages

Piantoni scored a total of 203 goals in Ligue 1 during a time when Reims was at the top of French football, winning the league in 1958, 1960, and 1962. He had a great left foot, good vision, and was skilled at making chances for himself and his teammates. On the international stage, Piantoni played 37 times for France, scoring 18 goals. 

He played a key role in helping France finish third in the 1958 FIFA World Cup, being part of one of the best French teams in history. Piantoni’s career exemplifies how technical elegance and football intelligence can yield sustained success. These were the qualities that made him one of the most versatile Ligue 1 goal scorers in history.

5. Thadée Cisowski - 206 goals

Thadée Cisowski was born in Poland in 1927 and went on to be one of the best strikers in Ligue 1 after the war. He started his career with FC Metz, but really made a name for himself at RC Paris, where he was the league's top scorer five times. Cisowski was known for his sharp finishing, as he could react quickly in the box and score with both feet or his head.

He netted 206 goals in just 286 games, giving him an impressive goals-per-game ratio of 0.72, which is among the best in French football. He even scored five goals in one Ligue 1 match on two separate occasions, something that's still uncommon today. In 1955–56, he famously netted 31 goals in a single campaign, cementing his place as one of the greatest Ligue 1 goal scorers of his generation. 

Even with his injuries, Cisowski made 13 appearances for France and scored 11 goals, showing that he could perform at both the international and club levels. His career really highlights how talent and hard work can go hand in hand.

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4. Roger Courtois - 210 goals

Roger Courtois was born in 1912 and became one of the first stars of French football. He was a striker known for his goal-scoring skills. He joined Sochaux in the early 1930s and quickly made a name for himself as a top scorer. Courtois was known for his smart movements, heading ability, and strong shot. 

In a time when defenders were tough and the footballs were heavier, his record of 210 goals in 288 Ligue 1 games is impressive. He helped Sochaux win two Ligue 1 titles in 1935 and 1938 and was key to their success before World War II.Get Straight Win Predictions for Today!

His ability to keep scoring consistently before, during, and after the war shows how professional and adaptable he was. Courtois also played for the French national team, earning 22 caps and scoring 10 goals, taking part in the 1934 and 1938 FIFA World Cups. 

After retiring from playing, he moved into coaching, continuing to help the sport grow in France. Courtois is remembered not only as one of the earliest Ligue 1 goal scorers but also as a pioneer who elevated the standard for future generations of French strikers.

3. Hervé Revelli - 216 goals

Hervé Revelli was a legendary French striker in the 60s and 70s, mainly with AS Saint-Étienne during their heyday. Born in 1946, he was known for being a fast and sharp centre-forward who was always on the lookout for chances. He scored 216 goals in Ligue 1, most of them with Saint-Étienne, where he nabbed seven Ligue 1 titles and four Coupe de France trophies. 

His chemistry with players like Georges Bereta and Dominique Rocheteau made for a powerful attacking trio that ruled French football for many years. Revelli was especially good at scoring in crucial games, hitting important goals in title matches and European tournaments, including the UEFA Cup and European Cup.Image Credit: GettyImages

He was Saint-Étienne’s top scorer for six seasons straight between 1967 and 1973, which shows how consistent he was. Even after moving to OGC Nice and later Châteauroux, he kept finding the back of the net. 

On the international front, he played 30 times for France, scoring 15 goals and representing the team in the 1978 FIFA World Cup. His career cemented him as one of the most iconic Ligue 1 goal scorers of the pre-modern era.

2. Bernard Lacombe - 255 goals

Bernard Lacombe is a French football legend, scoring 255 goals in Ligue 1, which makes him the second-highest scorer in the league’s history, right behind Onnis. He grew up in Lyon and made a name for himself at his hometown club before moving on to Saint-Étienne and Bordeaux during his 18-year career from 1969 to 1987, racking up 497 appearances. 

Lacombe was key in Lyon’s Coupe de France win in 1973 and their Trophée des Champions that same year. He also made headlines when he scored the quickest goal by a French player in World Cup history, just 30 seconds into a match against Italy in 1978.Image Credit: GettyImages

His time at Bordeaux was particularly successful, where he helped the team win three league titles in 1984, 1985, and 1987, along with two Coupe de France trophies in 1986 and 1987, plus another Trophée des Champions in 1986. On the international stage, he earned 38 caps for France and scored 12 goals, playing a part in their Euro 1984 victory. 

After hanging up his boots, Lacombe continued to make an impact at Lyon, taking on roles as a technical director, manager, and mentor, and he was instrumental in bringing in stars like Juninho and Cris. Lacombe’s stature as one of Ligue 1 top scorers is matched only by his leadership, strategic mindset, and enduring influence on French football.

1. Delio Onnis - 299 goals

Delio Onnis, who was born in Argentina, is the top goal scorer in Ligue 1 history with an incredible 299 goals across teams like Reims, Monaco, Tours, and Toulon. He was a force on the field, being the top scorer in Division 1 five times, once in Division 2, and winning foreign player of the year in 1980.Image Credit: GettyImages

His time at Monaco was key; he helped the team bounce back from relegation in 1976 to winning the Ligue 1 title in the 1977-78 season and the Coupe de France in 1980. Onnis was known for his smart positioning and knack for scoring rather than flashy moves, and he set the record as Monaco’s all-time leading scorer with 223 goals. 

His time at Tours also showed his skills, with impressive seasons of 24 and 29 goals, solidifying his reputation as a top goal scorer in Ligue 1. Onnis’s journey underscores the height of consistency: a perpetual Ligue 1 scorer, adapting across clubs, weathering relegations, and emerging each season sharper and more clinical.Click here to Convert Bet Codes for FREE!

The Legacy of Ligue 1 Top Scorers

These 13 players come from different backgrounds and play styles, making them the top goal scorers in Ligue 1. Their impact transcends numbers: charting evolution in French football, sowing inspiration for future generations, and defining what it means to dominate in terms of Ligue 1 goals.

Whether it's Onnis's drive, Lacombe's smart moves, or Mbappé's awesome style, each player's story adds to the league's history, showing us that scoring isn't just about the goals, but the stories behind them too. For a more comprehensive list, check out this page on Ligue 1 top scorers.

People Also Asked About Ligue 1 Goal Scorers

Who is the all time top scorer in the Ligue 1?

Hervé Revelli was the top scorer for Ligue 1 in the 1975-76 season. Then Delio Onnis came along and passed him in the 1980-81 season, and he's still got that title. Delio Onnis holds the record for the most goals in Ligue 1.

Who is the best foreign player in the Ligue 1?


Lucas Paqueta has been named the best foreign player.


Who is the top goal scorer in all leagues?


Cristiano Ronaldo has scored more than 930 goals across club and international matches, making him the all-time top scorer.


How many Golden Boot Mbappes have?


He just won the Golden Boot for the first time as the top scorer in European leagues. The Real Madrid striker netted 31 goals in the league, earning him 62 points in the continental ranking, more than any other player.


Who is France's all-time scorer?


Olivier Giroud is the top goalscorer for France, with 57 goals to his name. Michel Platini holds the record for scoring nine goals during UEFA Euro 1984. Antoine Griezmann has played the most games in total at both the World Cup and European Championship, hitting 36. Didier Deschamps has been in charge of France for a total of 168 matches, winning 106 of them.


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