Ranking the “best” of anything, especially in the subjective world of sports, is always a contentious endeavor. However, when it comes to strikers, certain legendary names consistently rise to the top. Here, we present our list of the top 11 strikers of all time, acknowledging the incredible talent and achievements that have shaped football history:
1. Lionel Messi (Argentina): An undisputed icon, Messi’s dribbling, playmaking, and goalscoring prowess are unparalleled. He boasts a record-breaking seven Ballon d’Or awards and holds numerous scoring records, cementing his place as one of the greatest footballers ever.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): Messi’s eternal rival, Ronaldo is a goalscoring machine with incredible athleticism and a relentless work ethic. He has five Ballon d’Or awards and consistently challenges Messi for the title of the world’s best.
3. Pelé (Brazil): A three-time World Cup winner with an almost mythical status in Brazil, Pelé’s goalscoring record (over 1200 goals, though some are disputed) is legendary. His dribbling, passing, and finishing were all exceptional.
4. Gerd Müller (Germany): A prolific goalscorer with exceptional technique and movement, Müller was a key figure in West Germany’s World Cup triumphs in 1970 and 1974. His goalscoring ratio remains one of the best in history.
5. Ferenc Puskás (Hungary): “The Galloping Major” was a Hungarian legend known for his incredible vision, passing, and long-range shooting. He led Hungary to the 1954 World Cup final and remains an inspiration for generations of players.
6. Ronaldo (Brazil): Not to be confused with Cristiano Ronaldo, the original “Ronaldo” was a phenomenon in the 1990s. His pace, dribbling, and finishing were mesmerizing, and he helped Brazil win the 1994 World Cup.
7. Romário (Brazil): Renowned for his improvisation, agility, and clinical finishing, Romário was a key player in Brazil’s 1994 World Cup victory. He possessed an uncanny ability to score even in the tightest of situations.
8. Alfredo Di Stéfano (Argentina/Spain): A legend for both Argentina and Spain, Di Stéfano was a complete forward with exceptional dribbling, passing, and heading ability. He led Real Madrid to five consecutive European Cups in the 1950s.
9. Robert Lewandowski (Poland): A modern-day goalscoring machine, Lewandowski is renowned for his intelligent movement, positioning, and clinical finishing. He holds numerous Bundesliga records and has consistently been one of the best strikers in the world for the past decade.
10. Marco van Basten (Netherlands): Renowned for his elegance, technique, and iconic volley in the 1988 European Championship final, Van Basten was a complete forward with exceptional finishing ability.
11. Jimmy Greaves (England): A prolific goalscorer for both club and country, Greaves held the English top-flight scoring record for decades. His finishing ability and movement in the penalty area were unmatched.
It is important to note that this list is subjective and other legendary strikers could be included. However, these 11 players have undoubtedly left their mark on the beautiful game with their incredible talent and goalscoring achievements.
