The 50 Best Goals per Game Ratios in the 21st Century – Ranked
According to official statistics from Transfermarkt, some of the greatest forwards of modern football have built their legacy on an incredible goals-per-game ratio. From world-class icons to underrated heroes, these players proved their consistency in front of goal. This list counts down the top 50 goalscorers of the 21st century by efficiency, starting from number 50 and working up to the very best.
50. Michael Owen — 0.44 goals per game
A lethal finisher in his prime, Owen combined pace and precision to terrorize defenses. Despite injuries cutting his career short, his ratio reflects his knack for scoring whenever he was fit.
49. Jamie Vardy — 0.45 goals per game
Vardy’s fairytale rise from non-league football to Premier League champion is legendary. His relentless pressing and deadly finishing turned him into one of England’s most reliable scorers.
48. Rivaldo — 0.45 goals per game
The Brazilian magician had a left foot capable of producing the spectacular. Whether from free-kicks, volleys, or long-range strikes, Rivaldo’s goals were as beautiful as they were vital.
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47. Didier Drogba — 0.45 goals per game
Known for his power and clutch performances, Drogba thrived in the biggest moments. His goals in finals and big matches made him one of the most feared strikers of his generation.
46. Cheick Diabaté — 0.45 goals per game
Though less famous than others on this list, Diabaté made his mark with clinical finishing in France and Turkey. His physical presence allowed him to score consistently at club level.
45. Marco Reus — 0.45 goals per game
Reus combined intelligence, movement, and finishing to become Dortmund’s talisman. Injuries prevented even greater numbers, but his efficiency in front of goal is undeniable.
44. Iago Aspas — 0.46 goals per game
A Celta Vigo legend, Aspas has been one of La Liga’s most underrated forwards. His sharp instincts and eye for goal kept him among Spain’s most consistent scorers.
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43. Wissam Ben Yedder — 0.47 goals per game
Ben Yedder built a reputation as a reliable striker in both France and Spain. Quick, clinical, and consistent, he often outperformed expectations with his scoring rate.
42. Karim Benzema — 0.47 goals per game
Benzema evolved from a supporting forward to Real Madrid’s main man. His intelligence and finishing brought him a Ballon d’Or and legendary status.
41. Alan Shearer — 0.47 goals per game
The Premier League’s all-time top scorer, Shearer’s 21st-century numbers came late in his career. Still, his ruthless finishing ensured his ratio remained strong.
40. David Villa — 0.48 goals per game
Spain’s all-time top scorer was known for his deadly finishing and movement. Villa thrived for both club and country, scoring crucial goals at major tournaments.
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39. Edin Džeko — 0.48 goals per game
Džeko’s blend of height, power, and technique made him prolific in Germany, England, and Italy. His ability to score in different leagues highlights his versatility.
38. Aílton — 0.48 goals per game
The Brazilian striker was a Bundesliga star, winning the Golden Boot with Werder Bremen. His consistency in front of goal gave him cult-hero status.
37. Antonio Di Natale — 0.48 goals per game
One of Serie A’s most loyal servants, Di Natale was a clinical finisher for Udinese. Despite playing outside the biggest clubs, he maintained elite scoring numbers.
36. Romelu Lukaku — 0.48 goals per game
Lukaku’s physicality and poacher’s instinct made him one of the most reliable strikers of his generation. From Belgium to Italy, he has consistently found the net.
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35. Diego Milito — 0.48 goals per game
Milito shone brightest in Inter Milan’s treble-winning season. His decisive goals in finals proved his clinical nature when it mattered most.
34. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar — 0.49 goals per game
Nicknamed “The Hunter,” Huntelaar was a pure poacher. His instinct for being in the right place made him one of Europe’s most consistent goal-getters.
33. Lisandro López — 0.49 goals per game
López impressed in Portugal and France with his sharp finishing. Though less celebrated, his ratio reflects a striker who rarely wasted chances.
32. Andriy Shevchenko — 0.49 goals per game
The Ukrainian icon was a Ballon d’Or winner and Milan legend. His combination of pace, power, and precision made him one of the deadliest forwards of his era.
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31. Gonzalo Higuaín — 0.49 goals per game
Higuaín was prolific in Spain and Italy, with record-breaking seasons at Napoli. His clinical left foot ensured he was always among the top scorers.
30. Luca Toni — 0.49 goals per game
Toni’s towering presence and aerial dominance made him a feared striker in Serie A. His Golden Boot-winning season underlined his scoring pedigree.
29. Giovane Élber — 0.49 goals per game
Élber was Bayern Munich’s reliable finisher during the early 2000s. His clever movement and finishing ability kept him among Europe’s best strikers.
28. Robin van Persie — 0.50 goals per game
The Dutchman combined elegance with lethal finishing. His left foot produced some of the Premier League’s most iconic goals.
27. Mohamed Salah — 0.50 goals per game
Salah became a Liverpool legend with his blistering pace and clinical left foot. His consistency in the Premier League put him among the game’s elite.
26. Samuel Eto’o — 0.51 goals per game
Eto’o was a relentless scorer who thrived at Barcelona and Inter Milan. His goals played a crucial role in multiple Champions League triumphs.
25. Sonny Anderson — 0.51 goals per game
A Ligue 1 icon, Anderson’s finishing ability kept him at the top throughout the 2000s. His consistency across multiple clubs makes his ratio impressive.
24. Grafite — 0.51 goals per game
Grafite enjoyed his best years at Wolfsburg, where he was part of a record-breaking attacking trio. His composure in front of goal made him stand out in Germany.
23. Christian Vieri — 0.52 goals per game
Vieri’s strength and aerial dominance made him one of Serie A’s most feared strikers. His physical approach was complemented by sharp finishing.
22. Mario Gómez — 0.52 goals per game
Gómez was the definition of a penalty-box predator. His goalscoring instincts made him one of the Bundesliga’s most reliable forwards.
21. Martin Max — 0.52 goals per game
Max was a consistent scorer in Germany, winning the Bundesliga Golden Boot twice. Though underrated, his efficiency puts him among the very best.
20. David Trezeguet — 0.53 goals per game
Trezeguet was a classic poacher, always in the right place at the right time. His goals made him a Juventus legend and a World Cup winner with France.
19. Ciro Immobile — 0.54 goals per game
Immobile has been Serie A’s most prolific striker in recent years. His remarkable consistency at Lazio has kept him among Europe’s elite forwards.
18. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang — 0.54 goals per game
Aubameyang’s speed and finishing made him a nightmare for defenders. Whether in Germany, England, or Spain, his record proves his adaptability.
17. Mauro Icardi — 0.55 goals per game
Icardi was Inter Milan’s go-to scorer, thriving on sharp movement and clinical finishing. Despite off-pitch controversies, his numbers remained elite.
16. Roy Makaay — 0.55 goals per game
Known as the “Phantom” for his ability to appear at the right time, Makaay was deadly in the box. His quick goalscoring touch became legendary at Bayern Munich.
15. Pauleta — 0.56 goals per game
Before PSG’s modern superstars, Pauleta was the face of the club. His consistent scoring in Ligue 1 made him a cult hero in Paris.
14. Ronaldo Nazário — 0.56 goals per game
Despite battling injuries, Ronaldo still maintained elite numbers. His explosive speed, power, and finishing made him one of football’s most complete forwards.
13. Thierry Henry — 0.57 goals per game
Henry revolutionized the striker role with his pace and elegance. Arsenal’s record scorer combined flair with lethal finishing to dominate the Premier League.
12. Radamel Falcao — 0.58 goals per game
At his peak, Falcao was unstoppable in the penalty area. His headers, volleys, and clinical finishing made him one of Europe’s deadliest forwards.
11. Sergio Agüero — 0.59 goals per game
Agüero became Manchester City’s greatest striker, delivering countless iconic goals. His consistency over a decade makes him one of the Premier League’s finest.
10. Ruud van Nistelrooy — 0.60 goals per game
Van Nistelrooy was a predator who lived inside the box. His uncanny ability to finish with both feet made him a goal machine at Manchester United and Real Madrid.
9. Edinson Cavani — 0.61 goals per game
Cavani combined tireless work rate with natural finishing. Whether at Napoli, PSG, or Uruguay, he was always among the most reliable scorers.
8. Zlatan Ibrahimović — 0.62 goals per game
Ibrahimović’s flair, strength, and confidence made him a global icon. His outrageous goals and longevity prove his place among the elite.
7. Harry Kane — 0.63 goals per game
Kane blends traditional striker instincts with exceptional playmaking. His consistency for Tottenham and England makes him one of the best of his generation.
6. Kylian Mbappé — 0.65 goals per game
Mbappé is the face of modern football, combining blistering pace with clinical finishing. At just 26, his record already rivals the greats.
5. Neymar — 0.65 goals per game
Neymar brought flair, creativity, and goals wherever he played. His efficiency often gets overlooked, but his numbers speak for themselves.
4. Luis Suárez — 0.67 goals per game
Suárez was as cunning as he was clinical, capable of scoring spectacular goals from anywhere. His partnership with Messi and Neymar defined an era at Barcelona.
3. Robert Lewandowski — 0.73 goals per game
Lewandowski’s professionalism and ruthless finishing made him one of the most feared strikers in history. His records at Bayern Munich confirm his legendary status.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo — 0.77 goals per game
From Sporting Lisbon to Real Madrid and beyond, Ronaldo evolved into one of football’s greatest scorers. His athleticism and hunger for goals rewrote history books.
1. Lionel Messi — 0.87 goals per game
Messi’s consistency and brilliance in front of goal are unmatched in football history. Combining dazzling dribbles with pinpoint finishing, he redefined what it means to be both scorer and creator.
