The greatest strikers ever: Football’s ultimate goal machines

October 23, 2025 Oliver Obel

Few positions in football hold as much glory and pressure as that of the striker. They are the finishers, the icons, and often the ones remembered long after the final whistle. Throughout history, certain goal-scorers have transcended eras, defining generations with their brilliance, consistency, and instinct in front of goal. Here, we count down the 12 greatest strikers the game has ever seen — from ice-cold finishers to unstoppable forces of nature.

12. Gunnar Nordahl

Gunnar Nordahl was a true pioneer of Scandinavian football dominance, starring for AC Milan in the post-war era. With his thunderous left foot and incredible physique, Nordahl became Serie A’s all-time leading foreign goalscorer — a record that stood for decades. His partnership with fellow Swedes Gren and Liedholm turned Milan into a powerhouse of Italian football. Even today, his clinical efficiency and remarkable goal ratio are benchmarks for aspiring strikers.

11. Josef Bican

Josef Bican was a phenomenon in an era before global television and mass media. Playing mostly in Austria and Czechoslovakia, he scored an almost mythical number of goals — over 800 in official matches by most estimates. Renowned for his explosive pace and two-footed shooting, Bican’s finishing ability bordered on perfection. Though often overlooked due to the time he played in, his legacy as one of football’s deadliest marksmen remains unchallenged.

10. Sándor Kocsis

Sándor Kocsis was the silent assassin of Hungary’s legendary “Mighty Magyars” in the 1950s. A master of heading and positioning, he had an uncanny knack for being in the right place at the right time. Kocsis scored 75 goals in just 68 appearances for Hungary — a record that underlines his natural gift for scoring. His performances at the 1954 World Cup, where he netted 11 times, cemented his place among the game’s elite.

9. Arsenio Erico

Paraguayan forward Arsenio Erico may not be a household name today, but in Argentina, he’s still revered as one of the most gifted players ever to grace the league. Representing Independiente in the 1930s and 1940s, Erico’s flair, creativity, and audacious finishing made him a legend. He remains the all-time top scorer in Argentine top-flight history — a staggering feat in a league filled with attacking icons. His elegance on the ball and clinical precision made him football’s first South American superstar.

8. Robert Lewandowski

Few modern strikers have embodied professionalism and efficiency like Robert Lewandowski. The Polish marksman built his reputation on discipline, intelligence, and ruthless finishing. From Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich and Barcelona, Lewandowski has broken records with frightening regularity. His technical polish, combined with an unrelenting hunger for goals, has secured his status as one of the finest centre-forwards of the 21st century.

7. Luis Suárez

Luis Suárez is the definition of a complete striker — fiery, unpredictable, and utterly brilliant. Whether dazzling at Liverpool or dominating alongside Messi and Neymar at Barcelona, Suárez combined aggression with artistry. His movement, vision, and lethal touch made him one of the most feared attackers in modern football. Despite his controversial moments, few can deny his genius in front of goal and his place among the game’s all-time greats.

6. Thierry Henry

Elegant yet devastating, Thierry Henry changed what it meant to be a Premier League striker. At Arsenal, he was poetry in motion — gliding past defenders with effortless pace and finishing with precision and flair. Henry’s influence stretched far beyond goals; he redefined the role of a forward as both creator and scorer. His legacy as Arsenal’s greatest-ever player and one of France’s finest exports is firmly secure.

5. Romário

Romário was pure instinct — a striker who needed only half a chance to score. The Brazilian’s balance, control, and deceptive quickness made him unstoppable in tight spaces. With over 1,000 career goals (including friendlies), he was the ultimate poacher who thrived on timing and intuition. Whether for PSV, Barcelona, or Brazil, Romário’s confidence and charisma made him a joy to watch and a nightmare to defend.

4. Gerd Müller

Nicknamed “Der Bomber,” Gerd Müller was the embodiment of German efficiency. Short and stocky but deadly in the box, Müller’s positional sense bordered on supernatural. He scored 68 goals in 62 games for West Germany and over 500 for Bayern Munich, leading them to European glory. His instinct to turn half-chances into goals remains the gold standard for every pure finisher that followed.

3. Marco van Basten

Marco van Basten combined elegance and ruthlessness like few others. At his peak, the Dutchman was untouchable — tall, graceful, and technically sublime. His volley in the Euro 1988 final remains one of football’s most iconic goals. Despite his career being cut short by injury, Van Basten’s brilliance at Ajax and AC Milan ensured his legend would never fade.

2. Eusébio

Eusebio — Panini, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Known as the “Black Panther,” Eusébio brought style and power to European football in the 1960s. A symbol of Portuguese pride, he led Benfica to continental glory and became a global superstar. His thunderous shot, blistering pace, and relentless drive made him unstoppable on his day. Eusébio’s influence transcended the sport — he inspired a generation and paved the way for future legends from Africa and beyond.

1. Ronaldo Nazário

Ronaldo Nazário was the ultimate striker — a blend of speed, technique, and sheer brilliance. Before injuries took their toll, he was almost alien in his talent: exploding past defenders, dribbling like a winger, and finishing with surgical precision. He starred for Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Brazil, winning two World Cups and three FIFA World Player of the Year awards. Simply put, Ronaldo wasn’t just a striker — he was a phenomenon who redefined the art of goal-scoring.