The 20 Greatest Strikers in Football History – Ranked
Football has been graced by some of the most remarkable goalscorers the sport has ever seen. From clinical finishers to charismatic icons, strikers have shaped eras and defined victories with their ability to find the back of the net. Here we count down the 20 greatest strikers in football history, starting from number 20.
20. Dixie Dean
Everton legend Dixie Dean was one of the most prolific scorers of the pre-war era, finishing his career with 568 goals. Famous for his heading ability, Dean once scored 60 league goals in a single season, a record that still stands today. His consistency and resilience made him an immortal figure in English football.
19. Sándor Kocsis
Hungarian forward Sándor Kocsis was a lethal striker in the 1950s and a central figure of the “Mighty Magyars.” He scored 11 goals at the 1954 World Cup, proving himself one of the most deadly tournament strikers of all time. With 556 career goals, Kocsis remains a Hungarian football icon.
18. Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema established himself as one of the most complete forwards of the modern era. Often overshadowed by Cristiano Ronaldo, he flourished once given the spotlight, eventually winning the Ballon d’Or in 2022. With over 450 career goals and countless trophies, Benzema’s legacy at Real Madrid is secure.
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17. Zlatan Ibrahimović
Charismatic and controversial, Zlatan Ibrahimović combined skill, power, and flair in a career spanning more than two decades. He won league titles in nearly every country he played in, while scoring over 490 goals. His larger-than-life personality made him just as memorable as his goals.
16. Fernando Peyroteo
Fernando Peyroteo’s incredible scoring record at Sporting CP places him among the most efficient strikers in history. Averaging more than 1.6 goals per game, he was a ruthless finisher who dominated Portuguese football in the 1940s. With 598 goals in just 369 appearances, his numbers are staggering.
15. Luis Suárez
Luis Suárez may be remembered for controversies, but his goal-scoring brilliance is undeniable. From Ajax to Liverpool and Barcelona, he tormented defenders with his movement, skill, and finishing. Passing the 500-goal mark, Suárez cemented himself as one of the most complete strikers of the 21st century.
14. Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer is the Premier League’s all-time top scorer, with 260 goals to his name. Renowned for his powerful finishing, aerial dominance, and consistency, he became a Newcastle United legend. Although he only won three trophies, his individual records guarantee his place among the greats.
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13. Robert Lewandowski
Polish star Robert Lewandowski is one of the most clinical forwards of the modern era. His consistency at Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona has seen him pass 600 career goals. Despite never winning the Ballon d’Or, his trophy haul and scoring exploits make him an all-time great.
12. Gabriel Batistuta
Known as “Batigol,” Gabriel Batistuta was the ultimate Serie A striker of the 1990s. A Fiorentina hero, he combined power with accuracy, becoming one of the most feared finishers of his generation. His loyalty to Fiorentina, alongside success with Argentina and Roma, made him a legend.
11. Marco van Basten
Marco van Basten remains one of the most elegant strikers football has ever seen. A three-time Ballon d’Or winner, he shone with Ajax, AC Milan, and the Netherlands. His stunning volley in the Euro 1988 final is still considered one of the greatest goals ever scored.
10. Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney carried the weight of expectation from a young age and delivered in full. He became both Manchester United’s and England’s all-time leading scorer, winning multiple league titles and a Champions League. With 366 career goals, his versatility and determination set him apart.
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9. Jimmy Greaves
Jimmy Greaves was one of England’s most natural goalscorers, with a remarkable tally of 513 goals. He remains the highest scorer in England’s top-flight history with 357 league goals. A World Cup winner in 1966, Greaves is remembered for his instinctive finishing.
8. Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry revolutionised the striker role with his pace, skill, and clinical finishing. Arsenal’s record scorer and a key part of Barcelona’s treble-winning side, Henry also triumphed internationally with France, winning the World Cup and European Championship. With 417 goals, his legacy is undisputed.
7. Ronaldo Nazário
Despite an injury-plagued career, Ronaldo Nazário was one of the most gifted strikers ever. The Brazilian phenomenon won two World Cups and two Ballon d’Or trophies, dazzling with his speed, dribbling, and finishing. His 414 goals came against the toughest defenders in the world.
6. Alfredo Di Stéfano
A true Real Madrid icon, Alfredo Di Stéfano played a pivotal role in their domination of the 1950s. Winning five consecutive European Cups, he scored over 500 goals and lifted 22 trophies. His intelligence and versatility made him one of football’s greatest ever players.
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5. Eusébio
Nicknamed the “Black Panther,” Eusébio was a sensation for Benfica and Portugal. He scored 623 career goals, leading Benfica to European glory while also finishing as top scorer at the 1966 World Cup. Winner of the Ballon d’Or in 1965, his legacy remains untouchable in Portuguese football.
4. Romário
Romário was one of the most clinical strikers of his era, with an astonishing 745 career goals. A 1994 World Cup winner with Brazil, he also starred for PSV and Barcelona, terrorising defences across Europe. His flair, speed, and instinct made him unforgettable.
3. Gerd Müller
Known as “Der Bomber,” Gerd Müller was a scoring machine for Bayern Munich and West Germany. With 722 goals, he won the World Cup in 1974 and the European Championship in 1972. His lethal finishing made him one of the most reliable strikers in history.
2. Ferenc Puskás
Ferenc Puskás boasted an extraordinary scoring record, netting 709 goals in 718 games. A Real Madrid and Hungary legend, he was famed for his powerful left foot and unmatched accuracy. Though he never won the Ballon d’Or, his name is immortalised with FIFA’s annual Puskás Award.
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1. Pelé
Pelé is widely regarded as the greatest striker of all time, scoring 756 goals in his glittering career. The Brazilian superstar won three World Cups, a feat no other player has matched. His influence on the game transcended football, making him a global icon.
