Most Goals in a Single Ligue 1 Season

When football fans ask “how many goals has the record-holder in Ligue 1 scored in one season?”, the answer is poetic — and a bit mythic. The record for the most goals in a single Ligue 1 season still belongs to a legend from a bygone era: Josip Skoblar, whose 44-goal haul for Marseille in 1970–71 remains unbeaten.

Below, IndiGoal will dive deep: we’ll trace the history behind that mark, examine modern challengers like Zlatan Ibrahimović, compare top single-season tallies, and explore what this record tells us about goalscoring in French football.

Table of Contents

The Legendary Mark: Skoblar’s 44 in 1970–71

In the 1970–71 French Division 1 (the predecessor to modern Ligue 1), Josip “Skoblar” lit up the league in sensational fashion. He found the net 44 times across 36 matches, earning him the European Golden Boot that year. That feat remains the highest single-season total ever recorded in the French top flight.

A few context notes that make this number even more remarkable:

Skoblar’s tally came in an era with fewer matches than today’s 38-game seasons, meaning his goals-per-game ratio was extremely high.
Many of those goals reportedly came from open play—not just penalties—underscoring his elite finishing ability.
His scoring spree not only broke French records, it propelled Marseille to the title that season, cementing his legacy.

Even decades later, no player has exceeded 44 in a Ligue 1 campaign.

Modern Era Comparison: Zlatan’s 38 and Other High Tallies

Since the rebranding to Ligue 1 in 2002, no one has matched Skoblar’s 44. But several modern stars have approached it:

Zlatan Ibrahimović (2015–16, PSG): 38 goals in a single Ligue 1 season stands as the modern-era high watermark.
Edinson Cavani (2016–17, PSG): 35 goals.
Carlos Bianchi (1977–78, PSG / Reims in older era): 37 goals.

These numbers illustrate how exceptional Skoblar’s record remains across eras.

Top Single-Season Scorers in Ligue 1 History

Here’s a comparative ranking of the top single-season performances in France’s top flight:

Rank	Player	Club	Goals	Season
1	Josip Skoblar	Marseille	44	1970–71
2	Zlatan Ibrahimović	Paris Saint-Germain	38	2015–16
3	Carlos Bianchi	PSG / Reims (older era)	37	1977–78
4	Philippe Gondet	Nantes	36	1965–66
5 (tie)	Gunnar Andersson	Marseille	35	1952–53
5 (tie)	Edinson Cavani	Paris Saint-Germain	35	2016–17
5 (tie)	Serge Masnaghetti	Valenciennes	35	1962–63

These numbers show the gap between the top and the rest. Only once has any modern player come close.

Why That Record Still Stands

So why does Skoblar’s 44-goal season continue to shock even modern fans?

Era differences — Defenses and tactics in the 1970s allowed for freer scoring in many leagues.
Fewer matches, more intensity — With fewer games, consistency at such a high level becomes more impressive.
Penalty and match context — Some modern seasons benefit. Physical demands & parity — Today’s players face tighter schedules, stronger training, more rotation, and greater competition, making sustained high scoring tougher.

As a result, even a modern star hitting 30+ goals draws applause; 44 feels mythical.

What This Record Means for Future Challengers

Could any striker in modern Ligue 1 challenge the 44-goal mark?

The closest modern shot is Ibrahimović’s 38, which already feels monumental in today’s game.
A striker would need to average over one goal, stay injury-free, and maintain peak form.
The presence of balanced defenses, rotation, and tactical shifts make it unlikely—but not impossible—for someone to try breaking it.
Fans and pundits will always watch, hoping a modern legend will dare to chase that ghost.

Conclusion

The most goals in a single Ligue 1 season belongs to Josip Skoblar, whose 44-goal masterpiece in 1970–71 remains untouchable. Even in today’s high-scoring era, modern stars like Zlatan Ibrahimović fall short.

IndiGoal invites you: what do you think — will any modern striker ever shatter the 44-goal barrier? Come back for deep dives on top scorers, season stats, and new stars chasing history.