Top 10 Best Soccer Strikers of All Time

Strikers hold a special place in the game, often shouldering the responsibility of delivering those crucial goals that can change the course of a match. Some are known for their lightning speed, others for their precision, and some for their sheer ability to find the back of the net no matter how tight the defense.

This list brings together some of the finest strikers the game has ever seen, as voted by fans who are as passionate about soccer as you are. It's a celebration of players who have consistently performed at the highest levels, from domestic leagues to international tournaments. You'll recognize names that evoke memories of unforgettable goals and last-minute heroics.

The Top Ten

Ronaldo

Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, commonly known as Ronaldo, is a Brazilian businessman, president of La Liga club Real Valladolid, and a retired professional footballer who played as a striker. Nicknamed "O Fenômeno" ("The Phenomenon") in Portuguese, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers... read more

Players like Messi, C. Ronaldo, Pele, and Maradona typically touch the ball well over 20 times in a match. They receive numerous deliveries and are constantly involved in the game by their teammates. As a result, these players often score one or two goals per match.
However, the situation was different for R9 when he played for Real Madrid. There were matches where he wouldn't touch the ball for 20 minutes or more. In an entire match, he might only get a few touches. On top of that, he never played a full match during his time at Real Madrid. Consequently, he had to make every touch count.
And was he not the most skillful player on the planet to do just that? In many matches, he would touch the ball only two or three times and still manage to convert at least one of those opportunities into a goal.
Just imagine players like Messi, C. Ronaldo, Pele, or Maradona getting to touch the ball only a mere few times in an entire match. Firstly, this is unthinkable simply because other players are keen to involve them in the match. Secondly, none of these players have the superb ability to convert only a few touches into goals. Only R9 could do that!
You just had to pass him the ball once in an entire match, and you could be sure that he would make defenders tremble with fear, dribble past them, and score with pinpoint accuracy. This is why R9 was the hero of Lionel Messi. R9 was the best forward to have ever graced the beautiful game.
Lionel Messi

Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi, born June 24, 1987, is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer. Widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, Messi has won eight Ballon d'Or awards and numerous domestic and international titles. He... read more

Kidding, right? Messi is number three and Torres and C. Ronaldo are ahead of him? He is the best that ever was, the best right now, and the greatest there can be. He is at the top of his game, has beaten everyone, and has proved he is better than everyone in scoring and assisting. He is superb, entertaining, and fun to watch.

Messi enjoys playing - you can see it in his face when he scores! He enjoys playing more than any other player, and he is faster than the legendary Diego Maradona. He is the best player right now, but I won't dare call him the best to have ever played football either!
Fernando Torres

Fernando Jose Torres Sanz (born 20 March 1984) is a Spanish football manager and former player who played as a striker. He's currently the manager of Atletico Madrid B. Due to his consistent goalscoring as a young player, Torres earned the nickname El Nino (The Kid), which remained with him throughout... read more

To me, Torres is the best striker in the world. Just look at all he has done for Liverpool. He has scored almost a hundred goals for them, and he was the highest goal scorer at Chelsea.
He has scored in most matches he has played in.

Go Fernando Torres! We are always with you. Please don't leave Chelsea. We know you are going to fire soon. The day is not far when you'll be scoring hat-tricks for the club.
Also, your assists are too good. You play for the club. Chelsea rocks! Blue is the color.
Wayne Rooney

Wayne Mark Rooney is a former English professional footballer who played for and captained both Manchester United and the England national team. He remains Manchester United's all-time leading goalscorer and was England's record goalscorer until 2023. Following his illustrious playing career, he transitioned... read more

Wayne Rooney is the best player in the world. He has more stamina than Ronaldo, Messi, or Fernando. He runs like a bull. His kicks are just like bullets. I say Rooney is better than all other players.
His headers are better than anyone else's.

WR is one of the best strikers ever known. Great composure and accuracy. By the way, I just wanted to make things clear. Hakan Suker was naturally a striker, as was Messi. So, don't be foolish and compare them to Ronaldo. He was a winger for most of his career and has only recently started playing more forward.
Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro (born February 5, 1985) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr and captains the Portugal national team. He has collected five prestigious Ballon d'Or awards and countless major trophies over his storied career... read more

Wow! All I can say is that I'm Mexican, and I'm not foolish enough to rank Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez above Cristiano Ronaldo. I can understand having Lionel Messi above him, but Chicharito? Chicharito isn't even on the same level as CR7. Just when I thought this list couldn't get any more ridiculous, I saw who was in first place.
Cristiano Ronaldo has the whole package you want from a striker: long shots, headers, jukes, speed, and ball control. Fernando Torres shouldn't even be on this list. In my opinion, Fernando Torres is one of the most subpar players in football. Anyone who chooses Torres over Messi and CR7 clearly doesn't know much about football.

Come on! Do I really have to give an explanation? Cristiano is at least in the top three of this era. Are you kidding me, putting Fernando Torres in first place? For a second, I thought I was on the list of strikers who miss the unmissable. If you don't believe me, search up his miss against Man U.
Didier Drogba

Didier Yves Drogba Tébily is a former Ivorian professional footballer who played as a striker and captained the Ivory Coast national team. He most famously played for English club Chelsea and won the UEFA Champions League with them in 2012, scoring the equalizer in the final and the decisive penalty... read more

He has a special talent. No striker has it. His strength and ball control are unbelievable. What I love most about him is his confidence and eagerness to win.
I wish you to kiss the African Cup of Nations. You deserve it. Symbol of Africa.

He has very powerful shots. Most of the shots and goals are from long range. He also has speed, skill, and more. Besides that, he is scary for the defensive midfield, defenders, and especially, the keeper.

A physical monster with a commanding presence on the field. Such a deadly finisher with amazing technique, and nowadays, he has been assisting goals as well.
A perfect guy to have up front.
Zlatan Ibrahimović

Zlatan Ibrahimović (born October 3, 1981) is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as a striker for multiple clubs during his career, including Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), FC Barcelona, and Manchester United. He scored over 500 career goals for club and country while winning league titles... read more

Do you want a guy who is absolutely clinical in front of the goal, can score out-of-this-world goals, and dribble past you as if you weren't there? Well then, it's got to be Zlatan.
The best all-out striker in world football over the last few years, this guy is nothing short of a beast.

He is a magician. He creates new moves. He is very strong. If he could use his aerial power in front of goal, he would have no match. Still, his crazy moves make him the best of the best.

Nobody can do what Zlatan can. He's extremely versatile. He's got an amazing physique, good technique for his size, speed, acrobatics, and a lot of force behind his shooting.
He is currently the best player.
Neymar

Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior (born February 5, 1992), commonly known as Neymar or Neymar Jr, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal and the Brazil national team.
He is the all-time top goalscorer for the Brazil national team.... read more

Neymar plays amazingly. I love the way he dribbles, attacks, tackles, and shoots. He's simply amazing!

Neymar plays awesomely. His dribbling skills can easily make a fool of any defender standing against him.
Pelé

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as "Pelé", was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a forward. In 1999, he was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee and was included in Time's list of the 100 most important people of the 20th century. In 2000, Pelé was voted... read more

This is a crazy question. Needless to say, Pelé is the God King of soccer for all time and unrepeatable. They can't realize, please refer to some of his clips during Santos and the national Brazilian team.

I may love Torres, but let's admit it, when Pelé's on the field, he's unstoppable. He was, and still is, in my opinion, the only player who was born to make football the phenomenon it is now.

Pelé in 10th? I guess a lot of the votes on this are made by teenagers who have been following football for the last ten years. He was even before my time, but with a little research, people would know why this guy is such a fuss in the football world.
LEGEND.
Luis Suárez

Luis Alberto Suárez Díaz, born on January 24, 1987, is a Uruguayan professional footballer. He currently plays as a striker for Inter Miami CF, an American club competing in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Suárez retired from international football in September 2024, concluding his tenure as Uruguay's... read more

Luis Suárez is a man who won't stop until he scores! He is my favorite player on and off the field. He is truly a goal-scoring machine. Unlike other players, he has a great passion for his club and country!
First Ajax, then Liverpool, now Barcelona, later Legend!

Luis Suárez is a very good soccer player. And in 2011, he won the Copa America. Now he plays for Liverpool. When he plays on the field, he plays very well.
He defends and makes goals, and that is a good soccer player.

He's clearly the best striker in the world right now. Look at what he's done for Barcelona in just his first season.

The Newcomers

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Susanne Augustesen

Susanne "Susy" Augustesen (born 10 May 1956) is a Danish former international footballer who played as a forward at multiple Italian clubs and for the Denmark national team.
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Shinji Okazaki

The Contenders

Thierry Henry

Thierry Daniel Henry is a French professional football coach and former player. In August 2016, he became the second assistant coach of the Belgium national team under head coach Roberto Martínez. Henry previously enjoyed a successful playing career with clubs such as Arsenal, Barcelona, and the New... read more

Thierry Henry scored 345 club goals, including 228 goals for Arsenal in 376 appearances, totaling 396 goals, and possibly more. He's both France's and Arsenal's record goalscorer. But that's just the stats. He could play with fierce speed and flair and ran the whole length of the pitch to score a goal at least twice.
Remember that goal against Manchester United in 2001? And the backheel nutmeg goal on October 2nd, 2004, during the invincible season? He's a legend at both Arsenal and Barcelona. There's so much more to talk about. He is incredibly underrated. Arguably the best Premier League striker and a true football icon!

For me, Thierry Henry is the best and greatest striker ever to have played football. Legendary.
He scores from everywhere, he scores great free kicks, and he even scored from a corner. He's the most complete forward ever. And when he scores, he does it amazingly. That's why he has to be number 1.
Ronaldinho

Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, born March 21, 1980, is better known by his nickname Ronaldinho or Ronaldinho Gaúcho. He is a Brazilian former professional footballer and a current ambassador for FC Barcelona.
He primarily played as an attacking midfielder but was also effective as a winger. Ronaldinho... read more

What?! Are you kidding me?! He is a 2-time FIFA Player of the Year award winner. Sure, he messed up a bit in Milan, but if you see his performance now in the Brazilian league, you would surely want him to be in the top 10.

He is a god-gifted player and will always be number one. I want to see Drogba, Torres, C. Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho as forwards in one team.

My favorite. He might have done better, but unfortunately, he did not. I like his free-kick skills, dribbling, ball control, and back kick.
Robin van Persie

Robin van Persie is a Dutch coach and former professional footballer who played as a striker. He is the all-time top scorer for the Netherlands men's national team and is considered one of the best strikers of his generation.... read more

Robin is not only a great striker but also very complete. He works hard and can pass, dribble, and score. Above that, he is an outstanding captain.
Comparing him with other great footballers, he is not in the best team.
Therefore, he is my favorite. Dennis Bergkamp has been my favorite.

RVP has some of the best finishing in football today! He had a better strike rate than even Messi for 2011. Only some players in Arsenal pull his votes back because Arsenal hasn't won cups yet.

Best player ever. Another great Dutchman for Manchester United. Twenty-five goals this season is a significant achievement. The first Barclays Premier League Trophy for him.
Karim Benzema

Karim Mostafa Benzema is a French professional footballer of Algerian descent. He most recently played for Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League after a long and successful career with Real Madrid. Benzema won the 2022 Ballon d'Or and was a key figure for both club and country.

Seriously?! This guy should be in the top 10!

Great striker, fast, great at finishing, headers, and volleys, but an all-around hero.
Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski, born August 21, 1988, is a Polish professional footballer who plays as a striker for FC Barcelona and captains the Poland national team. He is regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation. Lewandowski has won numerous individual awards and league titles in Germany and Spain... read more
Gerd Müller

Gerhard "Gerd" Müller (3 November 1945 to 15 August 2021) was a German professional footballer. A prolific striker, especially in and around the six-yard box, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalscorers and players in the history of the sport.... read more

At least one goal in each national game he played. I don't think anyone else has done that until today. Also, he is still the record holder in the German league for the most goals scored.
Back in his day, there were four games fewer per season than today.

He scored 68 goals in 62 international appearances and had fantastic dribbling ability.
Miroslav Klose

Miroslav Josef Klose, born on June 9, 1978, is a German former professional footballer who played as a striker. He is best known for his successful stints with Bayern Munich and Lazio. Klose holds the record for the most goals scored in FIFA World Cup tournaments and retired as Germany's all-time top... read more

Klose is by far the best striker I have seen. His enormous hunger for goals is the symbol of a great player. As a fan of this great game, I can never forget his goal-scoring abilities.

The most fantastic striker in this world. I think he will never stop trying to be the most fantastic striker in this world! Good luck, Klose. I will always support you!

Simply the best. Also, the best header. He never stops scoring goals. Always playing for the team.
Kaká

Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, commonly known as Kaká or Ricardo Kaká, is a retired Brazilian professional footballer. He played as an attacking midfielder for clubs such as AC Milan, Real Madrid, and Orlando City, as well as the Brazil national team. His exceptional vision and passing ability earned... read more
Ruud van Nistelrooy

What is he doing here? He is one of the best ever. He is one of the most prolific strikers. He can score from nothing. He has done well in all the leagues he has played in. He has been the top scorer in the Dutch league, Premier League, Spanish league, and even the Champions League. I've never seen anyone who is more consistent in front of goal. He deserves to be in the top five.

He is a player with many adjectives, like agility and the best offensive characteristics. He is well-prepared to score goals, and scoring goals is so easy for him.
I believe in him because of his impressive playing at Manchester United. He was the MVP of Man United in those days, or maybe the MVP in the world.
Sergio Agüero

Sergio Leonel "Kun" Agüero is a former professional footballer who played as a striker for the Argentina national team and clubs such as Manchester City and FC Barcelona. He retired from football in December 2021 due to a heart condition, specifically cardiac arrhythmia, which was diagnosed after he... read more

He should be in the top 10. He helped win the Premier League trophy against QPR.
Alfredo Di Stéfano

Alfredo Stéfano Di Stéfano Laulhé (July 4, 1926 to July 7, 2014) was an Argentine-born professional footballer and coach who played as a forward. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. The Blond Arrow was absolutely instrumental in Real Madrid's complete domination of European... read more
Raúl

Raúl González Blanco (born June 27, 1977), known simply as Raúl, is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a striker. He is considered one of the most important players in the history of Real Madrid and is among the most celebrated Spanish footballers of all time. Raúl scored over 300 goals for Real... read more

Are you crazy?! He is the best by far. Hakan Sukur, Donovan? Come on, be serious... please.

Angel of Real Madrid. The best player in the history of Real Madrid.
David Villa

David Villa Sánchez is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a striker. He was the all-time leading scorer for the Spain national team and played a key role in winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2008 UEFA European Championship. Villa was also the first player signed by New York... read more

I think that Neymar Jr is the best, but Villa gets little credit for his hard work. He definitely deserves to be in the top 10.

I think Drogba is the best, but Villa should easily be in the top ten.
Marco van Basten

Marcel "Marco" van Basten is a Dutch football manager and former professional player. He played as a forward for Ajax and AC Milan, and he was one of the standout strikers for the Netherlands national team during the 1980s and early 1990s. Van Basten is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers... read more

Marco's technique and finishing with either foot were out of this world. One of the best strikers who ever kicked a ball, in my opinion. It's sad that his career came to an end at 28 due to an injury, or he would've been remembered alongside the likes of Pele and Maradona. He should be higher on this list.

Totally agree! An inspiration to later generations (Van Persie, Henry, and so on). For that reason alone, he should be on top of this list.

Best striker ever! Combining beautiful technique and efficiency. He should be number one on this list.
Ferenc Puskás

Ferenc Puskás (April 1, 1927 - November 17, 2006) was a legendary Hungarian footballer and manager, often regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. He was known for his scoring prowess and is considered football's first international superstar.... read more

The Hungarian striker netted 84 goals in 84 international appearances and scored 514 goals in 529 league matches in both Hungary and Spain.