Best Strikers in Football History: From the iconic goal-scoring skills of Pelé to the electrifying speed and precision of Cristiano Ronaldo, football has seen some truly phenomenal strikers throughout history. In this blog post, we’ll explore these extraordinary athletes who have forever etched their names in football’s hall of fame.
Strikers are vital to any football team, responsible for scoring goals and often leading their teams to victory. Positioned at the top of the formation, they are usually the closest players to the opposition’s goal. Their primary role is to receive passes and convert them into goals, making them some of the most exciting players on the field.
Great strikers possess a mix of ball control, quick decision-making, precise finishing, and physical attributes, speed and strength. Their ability to understand positioning, create opportunities for teammates, and press the opposition makes them indispensable to their teams.
Best Strikers in Football History
Below, we present the 25 best soccer strikers of all time, each with their own unique story to tell.
25. Miroslav Klose
- Date of Birth: 9 June 1978
- Height: 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
- Position(s): Striker
Miroslav Klose is widely regarded as one of the most prolific strikers in football history. He known for his exceptional heading ability, strength, and clinical finishing.
Klose began his career at FC 08 Homburg and gained prominence in the Bundesliga with Kaiserslautern and Werder Bremen, where he was named German Footballer of the Year in 2006. His success led to a move to Bayern Munich, where he won multiple titles, followed by a final chapter at Lazio, where he secured the Coppa Italia and eventually retired in 2016.
Klose’s international career with Germany is legendary, as he holds the record for the most goals scored in FIFA World Cup history with 16 goals across four tournaments. He won the Golden Boot at the 2006 World Cup and helped Germany claim the title in 2014, where he broke Ronaldo’s record for the most World Cup goals.
24. Gabriel Batistuta
- Date of Birth: 1 February 1969
- Height: 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
- Position(s): Striker
Gabriel Batistuta is known for his speed, power, and exceptional goal-scoring ability. He is widely regarded as one of the most complete and feared strikers of his generation.
Batistuta was Argentina’s leading goal-scorer with 56 goals in 78 matches until Lionel Messi surpassed him in 2016.
Batistuta’s versatility included precise heading, powerful free kicks, and acrobatic goals, alongside his leadership and fair play. Despite facing injury challenges, his legacy includes memorable goal celebrations and a lasting influence on football, with Diego Maradona consider him as the best striker he has ever seen.
23. Karim Benzema
- Date of Birth: 19 December 1987
- Height: 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
- Position(s): Striker
Karim Benzema is widely recognized as one of the greatest strikers of all time. He known for his exceptional finishing, playmaking abilities, and technical skills.
Benzema’s successful stint at Real Madrid includes winning 25 trophies. He has become the club’s all-time second-highest goalscorer and top assist provider, amassing over 500 career goals. He formed a formidable attacking trio with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, known as “BBC,” and later thrived as the club’s main striker after Ronaldo’s departure.
He won the Ballon d’Or and UEFA Player of the Year awards in 2022. After a stellar career at Madrid, Benzema signed with Al-Ittihad and continues to be one of the highest-paid footballers globally.
22. George Weah
- Date of Birth: 1 October 1966
- Height: 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
- Position(s): Striker
George Weah was renowned as one of the best strikers In the 1990s. He is known for his extraordinary speed, work rate, and athleticism. His versatility allowed him to excel as both a traditional centre-forward and a more dynamic forward, creating opportunities and scoring with a mix of powerful shots, dribbling, and technical skill.
Weah’s career spanned clubs in France, Italy, and England, where he achieved significant success, including winning the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year in 1995, making him the only African to win these prestigious awards.
He won multiple league titles with Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan, and his career also included stints at Chelsea, Manchester City, and Marseille.
21. Raul
- Date of Birth: 27 June 1977
- Height: 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
- Position(s): Forward
Raúl González is consider as one of football’s greatest forwards. He is renowned for his versatility, technical skills, and prolific goal-scoring ability. His achievements include winning six La Liga titles, three UEFA Champions League titles, and numerous other trophies.
Raúl was also a key player for the Spanish national team, scoring 44 goals in 102 appearances and representing Spain in three World Cups and two European Championships.
His legacy is marked by his intelligent play, creativity, and the impact he made on the field, earning him a place in the FIFA 100 list of the world’s greatest living players.
20. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
- Date of Birth: 3 October 1981
- Height: 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
- Position(s): Striker
Zlatan Ibrahimović is a unique forward who has carved out a remarkable career with his physical strength, exceptional aerial ability, and powerful long-range shots. With 62 goals in 122 appearances for Sweden, he holds the record for the most goals scored for his national team.
Throughout his career, Ibrahimović has played for some of Europe’s top clubs, including Ajax, Juventus, Barcelona, and PSG, amassing 34 trophies and receiving 11 Ballon d’Or nominations.
Known for his imposing presence and versatility, he has dominated defenders and scored in various situations.
19. Alan Shearer
- Born: 13 August 1970
- Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
- Position(s): Striker
Alan Shearer is consider as one of the greatest strikers in football history and a Premier League legend. Known for his physicality, heading ability, and powerful shots, Shearer is the Premier League’s all-time top scorer with 260 goals.
His career awards include the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year (1994), PFA Player of the Year (1995), and being named in the FIFA 100 list of the world’s greatest living players in 2004. He was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2021.
For the England national team, Shearer earned 63 caps and scored 30 goals, with his most notable achievement being the UEFA Euro 1996 Golden Boot. He captained England at the 1998 World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000.
18. Thierry Henry
- Date of Birth: 17 August 1977
- Height: 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
- Position(s): Forward
Thierry Henry is consider as one of Arsenal’s greatest ever players and is often ranked among the best strikers of all time. He has won the Premier League Golden Boot four times, the European Golden Shoe twice, and the FIFA World Player of the Year award.
Henry is Arsenal’s all-time leading scorer and the second-highest goal scorer for the French national team.
Known for his exceptional speed, dribbling, and finishing, Henry was a key player for Arsenal, helping them secure two Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and two FA Community Shields. After his successful stint at Arsenal, he played for Barcelona, New York Red Bulls, and Monaco, contributing to Barcelona’s seven-title haul.
17. Sergio Aguero
- Date of Birth: 2 June 1988
- Height: 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
- Position(s): Striker
Sergio Agüero is consider as one of Argentina’s greatest strikers. He is known for his standout performances with Manchester City and Atletico Madrid.
At Manchester City, he set the record as the club’s all-time top scorer with 260 goals in 389 appearances and earned many awards, including the Premier League Golden Boot and induction into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
Agüero’s career also includes key achievements with Atletico Madrid, such as winning the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Super Cup. His prolific goal-scoring ability, evidenced by over 124 goals at Atletico and Independiente, and his precise skills on the field have solidified his reputation as one of the top forwards in football history.
16. Luis Suarez
- Date of Birth: 24 January 1987
- Height: 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
- Position(s): Striker
Luis Suárez is known for his exceptional goal-scoring abilities and controversial moments on and off the pitch. Despite his off-field controversies, he has made a significant impact, winning the Golden Boot twice and establishing himself as a formidable striker.
Suárez has a stellar career in Europe, with notable success at Barcelona from 2014 to 2020. Even now, playing for Inter Miami, he continues to showcase his goal-scoring skills.
His skill, fighting spirit, and unique style of play make him a challenging opponent and a standout figure in football history.
15. Neymar
- Date of Birth: 5 February 1992
- Height: 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
- Position(s): Attacking midfielder, winger
The 15th-ranked player is a Brazilian striker celebrated for his dynamic and creative play. At just 25 years old, he has already made a significant impact, particularly during his time with FC Barcelona, where he formed the formidable “MSN” trio with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
In 2021, he became the most expensive signing in football history with his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Despite his successes with Santos, Barcelona, and the Brazil national team, including a memorable World Cup run, he continues to strive for the ultimate footballing achievement.
His talent and contributions firmly place him among the top strikers in the sport’s history.
14. Robert Lewandowski
- Date of Birth: 21 August 1988
- Height: 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
- Position(s): Striker
Robert Lewandowski has solidified his place among football’s greatest forwards with a remarkable career spent primarily in Germany with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, and currently at Barcelona.
In 2021, Lewandowski set the Bundesliga record for most goals in a single season with 41 goals in 29 games, and he was crucial in Bayern Munich’s treble-winning campaign, which included the Bundesliga, the Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
With 344 goals for Bayern Munich, and even at 33, he remains one of the top strikers in the game.
13. Fernando Peyroteo
- Date of Birth: 10 March 1918
- Position(s): Striker
Fernando Peyroteo is a prolific striker for Sporting Lisbon, emerged as one of the top goal-scorers of the 1930s and 40s. Despite a quiet start to his career, Peyroteo made a significant impact, scoring an astonishing 541 goals in 344 appearances for Sporting, averaging 1.58 goals per game.
He was a key member of the “five violins” attack, helping the team win five Portuguese championships and five Portuguese Cups.
Peyroteo also had a notable international career, scoring 20 goals in 20 appearances for Portugal. Although he doesn’t have the same level of recognition as some of his peers, his exceptional goal-scoring ability and contributions to Sporting Lisbon firmly establish him as one of football’s great forwards.
12. Sandor Kocsis
- Date of Birth: 21 September 1929
- Height: 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
- Position(s): Striker
Sandor Kocsis was a key figure in Hungary’s golden era of football. Known for his prolific goal-scoring, he scored 11 goals in the 1958 World Cup, though Hungary did not win.
Kocsis began his career at Ferencváros and then joined Honved Budapest, scoring 287 goals in 265 games and winning four championships.
A vital part of Hungary’s “Golden Eleven,” he also won the gold medal at the 1952 Olympics and was instrumental in their 1954 World Cup campaign, though they lost in the final. His remarkable goal-scoring ability, including seven hat-tricks for Hungary, cements his legacy as one of football’s greats.
11. Kylian Mbappe
- Date of Birth: 20 December 1998
- Height: 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
- Position(s): Forward
Kylian Mbappé, despite his young age, has already made a significant impact on the football world. At just 24, he has showcased his exceptional talent by winning the World Cup with France and becoming a star at Paris Saint-Germain.
His impressive achievements include being Ligue 1’s top goalscorer five times, winning the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot in 2022, and securing the UEFA Nations League Golden Boot in 2021.
Mbappé’s blend of speed, athleticism, and tactical intelligence makes him a formidable striker. If he continues to stay fit and develop his skills, he has the potential to be considered one of the greatest strikers in football history. His future in the sport looks incredibly promising.
10. Josef Bican
- Date of Birth: 25 September 1913
- Height: 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
- Position(s): Forward
Josef Bican is a legendary striker for Rapid Vienna and Slavia Prague, holds the record for the most goals in football history with 805 official goals. Known for his incredible speed and skill, Bican could run 100 meters in under 11 seconds and scored prolifically throughout his career.
Bican began with Rapid Vienna, where he scored 92 goals in 74 games, and then moved to Slavia Prague, scoring 534 goals in 274 matches. He also had a notable international career with Austria and Czechoslovakia, scoring 14 goals in 19 caps for Austria and 12 in 14 games for Czechoslovakia.
His extraordinary goal-scoring ability makes him one of the greatest strikers of all time.
9. Eusebio
- Date of Birth: 25 January 1942
- Height: 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
- Position(s): Striker
Eusébio also known as the “Black Panther,” is was a legendary Portuguese footballer. He scored 473 goals in 440 games for the club, winning 11 Portuguese championships, 5 National Cups, and 1 Champions League.
Eusébio was also the top scorer in the Portuguese championship seven times and won the European Golden Shoe twice.
With 41 goals in 64 international appearances, he left a lasting impact on football and was awarded the Ballon d’Or. He remains one of the greatest strikers in football history.
8. Ferenc Puskas
- Date of Birth: 1 April 1927
- Height: 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
- Position(s): Forward, attacking midfielder
Ferenc Puskás was a football legend, especially during Hungary’s golden era. He scored 84 goals in 85 appearances for Hungary, won an Olympic gold medal in 1952, and played a key role in the 1954 World Cup. His legacy continues with the FIFA Puskás Prize, awarded annually for the most beautiful goal of the year, honoring his incredible talent.
Puskás spent 15 years at Budapest Honvéd, winning four Hungarian championships before joining Real Madrid in 1958. At Madrid, he scored 242 goals in 262 games, leading the team to five league titles and three Champions League victories.
Puskás is remembered as one of the greatest forwards in football history, leaving a lasting impact on both Hungary and Real Madrid.
7. Marco Van Basten
- Date of Birth: 31 October 1964
- Height: 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
- Position(s): Striker
Marco Van Basten was an exceptional forward during the 1980s and 1990s, known for his versatility and skill. He played for Ajax and AC Milan and was widely regarded as the best player in the Netherlands during his time. He won the Ballon d’Or three times and was named World Player of the Year in 1982.
Van Basten began his career with Ajax Amsterdam, where he spent six successful seasons, winning three league titles, three National Cups, and the Cup Winners’ Cup. He scored 152 goals in 172 games for Ajax.
Van Basten helped the Netherlands win the Euro 1988, their only major title in football history. Unfortunately, Van Basten’s career was cut short due to health issues, forcing him to retire early despite being one of the greatest Dutch players of all time.
6. Alfredo Di Stefano
- Date of Birth: 4 July 1926
- Height: 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
- Position(s): Forward
Di Stéfano is widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers in football history, and he ranks among the top 25 players of all time. With 308 goals, he remains the fourth-highest goal scorer in Real Madrid’s history.
During the 1950s, Di Stéfano was instrumental in Real Madrid’s dominance of European football, helping the club win five consecutive European Cups. His career also saw him play for Barcelona and Millonarios, earning eight La Liga titles, five European Cups, and the 1947 South American Championship.
He was twice awarded the Ballon d’Or, in 1957 and 1959, solidifying his legacy as a football legend.
5. Gerd Muller
- Date of Birth: 3 November 1945
- Height: 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
- Position(s): Striker
Gerd Muller is a legendary figure in the history of Bayern Munich, the Bundesliga, and the World Cup. Known for his incredible goal-scoring ability, Muller left a lasting impact on football during the 1960s and 1970s.
Muller scored an incredible 571 goals in 611 appearances for Bayern and was the Bundesliga’s top scorer seven times.
Muller contributed to Germany’s victories in the 1972 European Championship and the 1974 World Cup. He scored 68 goals in just 62 matches, including 14 in World Cup finals, making him one of the most prolific strikers of his time. In 1970, he was awarded the Ballon d’Or, solidifying his place as one of the greatest forwards in football history.
4. Romario
- Date of Birth: 29 January 1966
- Height: 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in)
- Position(s): Striker
Romario name is always among Brazil’s greats. He was one of the top scorers of his era, claiming over 1,000 career goals. He started at CR Vasco de Gama before moving to PSV Eindhoven, where he won the Dutch championship three times.
Romario also shined for Brazil, winning the Copa América in 1989 and 1997, and playing a crucial role in Brazil’s 1994 World Cup victory, scoring five goals. While there may be debates about his total goal count, his impact on the game is undeniable.
Romario’s prolific scoring and 1994 World Player of the Year title cement his legacy as one of football’s greatest strikers.
3. Ronaldo (R9)
- Date of Birth: 18 September 1976
- Height: 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
- Position(s): Striker
Ronaldo, also known as “R9,” is one of the greatest strikers in football history. He is known for his exceptional dribbling and clinical finishing. Despite facing multiple injuries, he reached near-perfection in his prime, making him one of the best dribblers ever.
Ronaldo began his career at Cruzeiro in Brazil and quickly rose to prominence with PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, and Inter Milan, winning many titles. With Real Madrid, he added more trophies to his collection, including a Spanish league title.
Ronaldo became a world champion with Brazil in 1994 and 2002, winning the Golden Ball twice and being named FIFA World Player of the Year three times. His legacy as a top striker remains unmatched.
2. Pele
- Date of Birth: 23 October 1940
- Height: 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
- Position(s): Forward, attacking midfielder
Pelé is considered one of the greatest footballers ever. He was an exceptional striker known for his speed, physicality, and skill. His remarkable goals and captivating style made him a global superstar, inspiring generations of players.
He is the only player to have won three World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970), scoring 77 goals in 92 matches for Brazil.
After initially retiring in 1974, Pelé joined the New York Cosmos in 1975 to help promote soccer in the United States. He led them to a league championship in 1977 before retiring for good, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of football.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
- Date of Birth: 5 February 1985
- Height: 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
- Position(s): Forward
Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest striker of all time. He is known for his consistent goal-scoring ability across every team he has played for. With five Ballon d’Or awards, he has been a key player for Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and now Al Nassr. As the captain of Portugal, he led his team to victory in Euro 2016.
He Started his career as a winger but due to his speed and dribbling, He evolved into one of the most complete center forwards in football history. He is the all-time top scorer for both Real Madrid and the Portuguese national team and has achieved significant success in the Champions League and international tournaments.
Ronaldo’s legacy in football is marked by his winning mentality, ambition, and work ethic. His rivalry with Lionel Messi has defined an era in football, and his name will be remembered as one of the greatest goal-scorers ever.