Only international goals from 1 January to 31 December in international matches, Olympic tournaments, FIFA Club World Cup, official matches between the topical continental club champions, and the continental club competitions of FIFA, AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC and UEFA, as well as, the continental Super Cup matches of the six confederations are taken into consideration. If the number of goals is equal, the player who scored more goals in international matches is ranked higher.[1][2]
Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for most wins (5), and most goals in a calendar year (32 in 2017). Dennis Bergkamp, Raí and César Obando won the award with the fewest goals (12 in 1992). Neymar and Gabriel Batistuta are the players with the most runner-up appearances (2). Cristiano Ronaldo is the player with most third-place finishes (3). Ali Daei, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski and Romelo Lukaku are the only players who have won the award more than once. Ronaldo and Messi are the only players to win the award in successive seasons, with Ronaldo achieving this twice. Ali Ashfaq scored the most goals without winning (23 goals in 2013). Real Madrid and Barcelona are tied for the clubs with the most wins (5).
In 2012, the IFFHS awarded the World's Best Goal Scorer of the First Decade, considering the years 2001 to 2010.[3]
^While Romário finished the year with as many goals as Rivaldo, the latter was crowned winner because of more international club goals.
^While Trezeguet finished the year with as many goals as Henry, the latter was crowned winner because of more international club goals.
^Since 2009, they awarded the player with the most goals for their national team in case of a tie. That year, Okazaki had scored more goals for his national team than Drogba.
^While Eto'o finished the year with as many goals as Al-Mutawa, the latter was crowned winner because of more national team goals.
Statistics
Cristiano Ronaldo is the only player to score 30+ goals in a year.Humberto Suazo is the only Chilean to win the award.Brazil striker Ronaldo was the first South American to win the award in 1997.
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