Top 15 Football Strikers Of All Time Till 2023
Comparing players from different eras is always a challenging task, but we've made our best effort to identify the greatest footballers ever. While trophies have influenced our rankings, we've also considered exceptional natural talents when necessary.
15. Emilio Butragueno:
Emilio Butragueno, a legendary Real Madrid striker, enjoyed tremendous success with the club, winning La Liga six times. His nickname "El Buitre" reflected his knack for converting opportunistic chances into goals. Although he represented Spain 69 times, he finished as a runner-up in the 1984 European Championships.
14. Gunnar Nordahl:
Gunnar Nordahl dominated Swedish domestic leagues for over a decade before joining Milan in Serie A. He consistently scored more than 20 goals in a season and secured the Serie A top scorer title five times. He also earned an Olympic gold medal with the Swedish national team.
13. Paolo Rossi:
Paolo Rossi's performance in the 1982 FIFA World Cup was unforgettable, leading Italy to victory with six goals, including one in the final against Germany. Domestically, he achieved success with Juventus, winning a European Cup and Serie A title.
12. Josef Bican:
Austrian-Hungarian striker Josef Bican, known for his incredible speed and agility, could run 100 meters in just 10.8 seconds. Most of his 607 league goals came from his remarkable athleticism. He spent his entire career in Eastern Europe, limiting his exposure to wider audiences.
11. Fernando Peyroteo:
Fernando Peyroteo, a prolific striker, averaged 1.7 goals per game and scored a total of 331 goals in 197 appearances, making him the most prolific striker in football history. He spent his entire career with Sporting, winning six Liga titles and four Tacas de Portugal.
10. Arthur Friedenreich:
German-Brazilian striker Arthur Friedenreich made a significant impact at the beginning of the 20th century. He finished as the top scorer in the Sao Paulo League on numerous occasions, a feat even Pele didn't achieve.
9. Marco Van Basten:
Marco van Basten stunned the world with his spectacular volley in the 1988 European Championships final. He had a remarkable career with Ajax and Milan, winning league titles with both clubs and two European Cups with Milan, although his career was cut short by injury at the age of 28.
8. Romario:
Romario is often overlooked in discussions of the greatest strikers, but his proficiency in front of goal, particularly in one-on-one situations, was unmatched. He scored over 1,000 official goals and helped Brazil win the 1994 FIFA World Cup. He excelled for clubs like PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona.
7. Sandor Kocsis:
Sandor Kocsis scored an astonishing 11 goals in the 1958 FIFA World Cup but narrowly missed winning the tournament with Hungary. He scored 153 goals for Honved Budapest and later enjoyed success with Barcelona in Spain, recording seven hat-tricks for Hungary.
6. Alfredo Di Stefano:
Alfredo Di Stefano played a pivotal role in Real Madrid's five consecutive European Cup wins from 1955-1960. He scored 216 goals for Real Madrid in La Liga and also represented Argentina, Colombia, and Spain in international football. Unfortunately, he never participated in a FIFA World Cup.
5. Gerd Muller:
Gerd Muller, known as "Der Bomber," was a prolific striker for both West Germany and Bayern Munich. He scored 68 goals in 62 appearances for West Germany and won the FIFA World Cup, European Championships, and European Cup three times each.
4. Ferenc Puskas:
Ferenc Puskas, a key player for Hungary's "Magical Magyars," scored an incredible 84 goals in 85 international appearances. He excelled in the Hungarian domestic leagues and later enjoyed success with Real Madrid, winning numerous titles.
3. Eusebio:
Eusebio, known as the Black Pearl, scored 638 goals in 614 games and brought glory to Portugal. He won a European Cup and was named European Footballer of the Year, leaving a lasting legacy in Portuguese football.
2. Ronaldo:
The original Ronaldo, "the phenomenon," was a dominant force at the FIFA World Cup, holding the record for the most goals in the tournament. His combination of pace, power, dribbling ability, and finishing skills made him an iconic striker.
1. Pele:
Pele is widely regarded as the greatest striker in the history of football. He holds numerous records, including Brazil's top scorer, Santos' top scorer, and the most league goals. He won the FIFA World Cup three times and received recognition for his incredible achievements both on and off the pitch.
