Within this beautiful game, strikers hold a special place as they are responsible for scoring goals and leading their teams to victory.
Over the years, there have been numerous exceptional strikers who have left an indelible mark on the sport.
Here we look at the top 10 best strikers of all time, analyzing their skills, achievements, and impact on the game.
1. Pelé
Pelé, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time.
The Brazilian striker had an illustrious career, scoring a staggering 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances.
Pelé won three FIFA World Cups with Brazil in 1958, 1962, and 1970, showcasing his ability to perform on the biggest stage.
His agility, speed, and clinical finishing made him a nightmare for defenders.
2. Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona, an Argentinean striker, is often mentioned in the same breath as Pelé when discussing the greatest players in history.
Maradona’s skill and creativity were unmatched, and he possessed incredible dribbling ability.
He led Argentina to victory in the 1986 FIFA World Cup, where he scored the famous “Hand of God” goal and the mesmerizing solo goal against England.
Maradona’s impact on the game extended beyond his playing days, as he later became a successful coach.
3. Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi, an Argentinean forward, is widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation.
Messi’s technical skills, vision, and goal-scoring ability have earned him numerous accolades, including seven Ballon d’Or awards.
He has consistently performed at an exceptional level for Barcelona, breaking countless records and leading the team to numerous domestic and international titles.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo, a Portuguese striker, is another player who is often mentioned in discussions about the best strikers of all time.
Ronaldo’s athleticism, speed, and goal-scoring prowess have made him a dominant force in the sport.
He has won numerous league titles and Champions League trophies with Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and later in the Saudi Pro League.
Ronaldo’s dedication to physical fitness and his ability to score goals with both feet and his head make him a formidable opponent.
5. Gerd Müller
Gerd Müller, a German striker who played for Bayern Munich and the German national team, is considered one of the most clinical finishers in the history of the game.
Müller’s ability to find the back of the net was unparalleled, and he scored a remarkable 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga appearances.
He played a crucial role in Bayern Munich’s success during the 1970s, helping the team win numerous domestic and international titles.
6. Ronaldo Nazário
Ronaldo Nazário, commonly known as Ronaldo, is a Brazilian striker who is widely regarded as one of the most talented players in history.
Ronaldo’s speed, agility, and technical skills made him a nightmare for defenders.
He won two FIFA World Cups with Brazil in 1994 and 2002 and scored a total of 62 goals in 98 appearances for the national team.
Ronaldo’s ability to score goals from any position and his incredible dribbling ability set him apart from his peers.
7. Ferenc Puskás
Ferenc Puskás, a Hungarian striker, is considered one of the greatest players of all time.
Puskás played for both Hungary and Real Madrid, where he achieved tremendous success.
He scored an astonishing 84 goals in 85 appearances for Hungary and played a crucial role in the team’s famous 6-3 victory over England in 1953.
Puskás also won numerous domestic and international titles with Real Madrid, showcasing his exceptional goal-scoring ability.
8. Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry, a French striker, is widely regarded as one of the best players in Premier League history.
Henry’s pace, skill, and goal-scoring ability made him a fan favorite during his time at Arsenal.
He won two Premier League titles and led the team to an unbeaten season in 2003-2004. Henry’s ability to score spectacular goals and his understanding of the game made him a complete striker.
9. Eusébio
Eusébio, a Portuguese striker, is considered one of the greatest players of his generation.
He played for Benfica and the Portuguese national team, scoring a remarkable 733 goals in 745 appearances.
Eusébio’s speed, agility, and powerful shot made him a formidable opponent for defenders.
He won numerous league titles with Benfica and led Portugal to a third-place finish in the 1966 FIFA World Cup, where he finished as the tournament’s top scorer.
10. Marco van Basten
Marco van Basten, a Dutch striker, is widely regarded as one of the most talented players of his generation.
Van Basten played for Ajax and AC Milan, where he achieved tremendous success.
He won three Ballon d’Or awards and led the Netherlands to victory in the 1988 UEFA European Championship.
Van Basten’s technical skills, aerial ability, and clinical finishing made him a true goal-scoring machine.
Q&A – Best Strikers of All Time
1. Who is the greatest striker of all time?
The title of the greatest striker of all time is subjective and often debated among soccer fans.
However, many consider Pelé to be the greatest striker due to his incredible goal-scoring record, three FIFA World Cup victories, and his overall impact on the game.
2. How many goals did Pelé score in his career?
Pelé scored a staggering 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances throughout his career.
This remarkable goal-scoring record solidifies his status as one of the greatest strikers in the history of soccer.
3. Who has scored the most goals in a single season?
The record for the most goals scored in a single season is held by Lionel Messi.
In the 2011-2012 season, Messi scored an astonishing 73 goals for Barcelona in various competitions.
4. How many Ballon d’Or awards has Lionel Messi won?
Lionel Messi has won the prestigious Ballon d’Or award seven times, which is the highest number of times any player has won the award.
This recognition further solidifies his status as one of the best strikers of all time.
5. Who is the highest-scoring striker in international football?
The highest-scoring striker in international football is Ali Daei from Iran.
Daei scored a remarkable 109 goals in 149 appearances for the Iranian national team.
6. How many goals has Cristiano Ronaldo scored in his career?
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored over 800 goals in his career, making him one of the most prolific goal-scorers in the history of soccer.
His ability to consistently find the back of the net has earned him a place among the best strikers of all time.
7. Who is the most successful striker in terms of trophies won?
When it comes to trophies won, Dani Alves holds the record for the most titles won by a player.
Although primarily a right-back, Alves has won an astonishing 47 major trophies throughout his career, showcasing his incredible success.
8. Who is the youngest striker to score in a FIFA World Cup?
The youngest striker to score in a FIFA World Cup is Pelé.
He scored his first World Cup goal at the age of 17 years and 239 days during the 1958 tournament held in Sweden.
9. Who is the best female striker of all time?
Marta Vieira da Silva, commonly known as Marta, is widely regarded as the best female striker of all time.
The Brazilian forward has won numerous individual awards and has been a dominant force in women’s soccer for over a decade.
10. Who is the highest-scoring striker in Premier League history?
Alan Shearer holds the record for the most goals scored in the history of the Premier League.
The English striker scored a remarkable 260 goals during his career, showcasing his exceptional goal-scoring ability.
Summary
The top 10 best strikers of all time have left an indelible mark on the sport of soccer.
From Pelé’s agility and clinical finishing to Lionel Messi’s technical skills and vision, these players have showcased exceptional talent and achieved remarkable success.
Whether it’s Diego Maradona’s mesmerizing dribbling or Cristiano Ronaldo’s athleticism and goal-scoring prowess, each striker has brought something unique to the game. Gerd Müller’s clinical finishing, Ronaldo Nazário’s incredible dribbling ability, Ferenc Puskás’ exceptional goal-scoring ability, Thierry Henry’s pace and skill, Eusébio’s speed and powerful shot, and Marco van Basten’s technical skills and clinical finishing complete the list of the top 10 best strikers of all time.
