Ranking the 50 Best Strikers of the 21st Century – Ranked
The modern era of football has produced a breathtaking variety of strikers—each with their own style, strengths, and moments of magic. From poachers and target men to technical creators and pressing machines, these players have shaped the game over the past two and a half decades. This ranking pays tribute to the 50 greatest forwards since the turn of the century, judged by their goals, influence, silverware, and legacy.
50. Nicolas Anelka
A nomadic striker with sublime talent, Anelka starred for clubs like Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Chelsea. His calm finishing and versatility made him one of the most technically gifted forwards of his era.
49. Luís Fabiano
The Brazilian forward was a key figure for Sevilla and Brazil in the 2000s. His aggressive style and eye for goal made him a constant threat in the box.
48. Roy Makaay
Nicknamed "Das Phantom" for his quiet but lethal presence, Makaay was clinical for Deportivo and Bayern Munich. His movement and precise finishing made him a nightmare for defenders.
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47. Mário Jardel
A two-time European Golden Shoe winner, Jardel was prolific at clubs like Porto and Galatasaray. Despite a short-lived prime, his goal tally was astonishing.
46. Romelu Lukaku
A physically dominant forward with a powerful strike, Lukaku shone at Everton, Inter, and Belgium. He has been one of the most consistent goalscorers of his generation.
45. Mario Gómez
Gómez was a classic number 9 known for his aerial dominance and poacher instincts. He led the line for Bayern Munich and the German national team during their golden years.
44. Antonio Cassano
Gifted with immense flair and creativity, Cassano’s career was a mix of brilliance and controversy. At his best, he was one of Italy's most entertaining forwards.
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43. Lautaro Martínez
Still in his prime, Lautaro has already proven himself with Inter Milan and Argentina. His agility, intelligence, and technical skills make him a modern striker to watch.
42. Diego Milito
Milito reached legendary status by leading Inter to a historic treble in 2010. A true big-game player, he consistently delivered in decisive moments.
41. Edin Džeko
The Bosnian target man combined size, skill, and a knack for clutch goals. From Wolfsburg to Manchester City and Roma, he’s been dependable everywhere.
40. Giovane Élber
A cornerstone of Bayern Munich’s attack in the early 2000s, Élber was precise and intelligent. He scored goals with flair and always stepped up in key matches.
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39. Antonio Di Natale
One of Serie A’s most loyal and underrated strikers, Di Natale was a goal machine for Udinese. His technique and leadership earned admiration throughout Italy.
38. Henrik Larsson
Larsson’s goal-scoring exploits for Celtic and his impactful spells at Barcelona and Manchester United proved his elite quality. He was a true professional with a winning mentality.
37. Dimitar Berbatov
Effortlessly elegant, Berbatov mesmerized with his ball control and vision. His time at Tottenham and Manchester United showcased his unique style of play.
36. Roberto Firmino
The Brazilian false-nine revolutionized Liverpool’s attack with his creativity and work rate. He was the heartbeat of Klopp’s pressing system and a fan favorite at Anfield.
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35. Diego Costa
A striker built on aggression and power, Costa bullied defenders across La Liga and the Premier League. His fearless style and big-game goals were central to Atlético Madrid and Chelsea’s successes.
34. Filippo Inzaghi
Known for his impeccable positioning and goal poaching, Inzaghi lived off the shoulder of defenders. He wasn’t flashy, but his instincts in the box were world-class and earned him a legendary status at Milan.
33. Luca Toni
A traditional target man, Toni was a relentless force in the air and thrived with both club and country. He won the Golden Boot in Europe and lifted the 2006 World Cup with Italy.
32. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
With blistering pace and sharp finishing, Aubameyang was a constant threat at Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal. His movement off the ball made him one of the most dangerous counterattacking strikers in Europe.
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31. Patrick Kluivert
Kluivert brought elegance to the striker position with his technical quality and calm finishing. A product of Ajax's golden era, he enjoyed success at Barcelona and with the Netherlands.
30. Miroslav Klose
The all-time World Cup top scorer, Klose was a model of consistency and professionalism. His heading ability and timing made him a crucial figure for Germany and Lazio.
29. Adriano
At his peak, Adriano was one of the most powerful strikers the game has seen. His left foot was a weapon, but personal struggles cut short what could have been an even greater career.
28. David Trezeguet
A classic number 9, Trezeguet’s partnership with Thierry Henry at France and exploits at Juventus highlighted his elite finishing. He thrived on one-touch strikes and sharp reactions inside the area.
27. Carlos Tevez
Tevez combined tireless energy with technical brilliance. A fierce competitor, he left a mark at Manchester United, Manchester City, Juventus, and Boca Juniors.
26. Gonzalo Higuaín
Despite criticism for missed chances in key finals, Higuaín was a prolific scorer for Real Madrid, Napoli, and Juventus. His positioning and movement were world-class.
25. Diego Forlán
A two-footed magician, Forlán’s career soared at Villarreal, Atlético Madrid, and on the international stage with Uruguay. He was the Golden Ball winner at the 2010 World Cup.
24. Edinson Cavani
One of the most complete strikers of the 2010s, Cavani blended work rate with lethal finishing. He was PSG’s all-time leading scorer until recently surpassed by Mbappé.
23. Radamel Falcao
At his best with Porto and Atlético, Falcao was arguably the most clinical striker in Europe. Despite injury setbacks, his ability in the box remained undeniable.
22. Hernán Crespo
A refined goalscorer with a smooth touch, Crespo delivered consistently at clubs like Parma, Lazio, and Chelsea. His movement and composure made him an Argentine great.
21. Michael Owen
The 2001 Ballon d’Or winner burst onto the scene with electric pace and a fearless approach. Injuries curtailed his career, but his impact at Liverpool and England remains iconic.
20. Fernando Torres
Torres blended grace with explosiveness, becoming a fan favorite at Atlético, Liverpool, and Chelsea. Though his later years were inconsistent, his prime was elite.
19. Christian Vieri
A powerful and dominant striker, Vieri was a Serie A mainstay with a thunderous shot. He was Italy’s top forward for several years, scoring consistently for club and country.
18. David Villa
Spain’s all-time top scorer played a pivotal role in their golden generation. A versatile forward, Villa starred at Valencia and Barcelona, combining flair with clinical finishing.
17. Erling Haaland
A modern phenomenon, Haaland has shattered records with his extraordinary goal-per-game ratio. With immense strength, deadly finishing, and relentless movement, he’s already become one of the most feared strikers in world football.
16. Robin van Persie
Graceful and technically brilliant, Van Persie was known for his stunning volleys and intelligent movement. He led the line superbly for Arsenal, Manchester United, and the Netherlands.
15. Harry Kane
One of the most complete strikers of his generation, Kane combines scoring, passing, and leadership. His consistency for both Spurs and England has placed him among the all-time great Premier League forwards.
14. Ruud van Nistelrooy
A ruthless poacher, Van Nistelrooy had an uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time. His prolific spells at Manchester United and Real Madrid showcased his elite finishing instincts.
13. Didier Drogba
Chelsea’s talismanic striker delivered in the biggest moments, most notably in the 2012 Champions League final. Drogba’s strength, clutch mentality, and leadership made him a Premier League icon.
12. Antoine Griezmann
Griezmann has combined creativity and work ethic with goals at the highest level for club and country. A World Cup winner and Ballon d'Or finalist, he remains a tactical asset and consistent scorer.
11. Ronaldo Nazário
Even in the twilight of his career during the 2000s, Ronaldo Nazário remained a fearsome force. He dazzled at Real Madrid, won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil, and captured the Ballon d’Or that same year — all while recovering from devastating injuries. Though his 21st-century window was short, his brilliance was undeniable.
10. Samuel Eto’o
One of the most decorated African players in history, Eto’o won the Champions League with both Barcelona and Inter. His pace, power, and positional awareness made him deadly in any system.
9. Sergio Agüero
Agüero became Manchester City’s all-time top scorer with his blend of agility and composure. His last-minute title-winning goal in 2012 immortalized him in Premier League folklore.
8. Zlatan Ibrahimović
A maverick with flair and arrogance, Zlatan scored over 500 career goals across Europe’s top leagues. His incredible skill set and winning mentality made him a standout figure wherever he played.
7. Raúl
Raúl was the face of Real Madrid for over a decade, combining humility with legendary output. His intelligence and timing in the box made him one of the most respected forwards in football.
6. Andriy Shevchenko
A Ballon d’Or winner and AC Milan legend, Shevchenko’s movement and finishing were world-class. His impact in Serie A and with Ukraine cemented his place among Europe’s elite.
5. Karim Benzema
Once underrated, Benzema evolved into a talismanic figure for Real Madrid, especially post-Ronaldo. His vision, technique, and clutch scoring earned him the 2022 Ballon d’Or.
4. Wayne Rooney
England’s all-time leading scorer for both club and country, Rooney was more than just a striker—he was a complete footballer. His tenacity, intelligence, and long-range shooting defined a generation.
3. Robert Lewandowski
Lewandowski’s consistency and goal-scoring prowess across the Bundesliga and La Liga are unmatched. His 5 goals in 9 minutes remains one of football’s most incredible feats.
2. Luis Suárez
A genius in the final third, Suárez mixed street-smart flair with elite finishing. From Ajax to Liverpool to Barcelona, he was the heartbeat of every attack he led.
1. Thierry Henry
Elegant, explosive, and endlessly creative, Henry is the gold standard of modern strikers. Arsenal’s record scorer and a global icon, he redefined what it meant to be a complete forward.
