Top 15 Football Strikers Of All Time Till 2023

We've done our best to determine who the top players of all time are, but it's a difficult task to compare players from different eras. While trophies have influenced the higher rankings, we've also acknowledged exceptional natural talents by making necessary exceptions.

Here are the Top 15 Football Strikers Of All Time Till 2023:

15. Emilio Butragueno

Emilio Butragueno, a legendary Real Madrid striker, had a glittering career with the club, securing numerous trophies. His six La Liga triumphs at Santiago Bernabeu showcased his goal-scoring prowess, earning him the moniker "El Buitre" (The Vulture) for his ability to seize scoring opportunities. Despite his 69 appearances for Spain, he narrowly missed European Championship victory in 1984.

14.  Gunnar Nordahl 

Gunnar Nordahl dominated the Swedish leagues for over a decade before making his mark at Milan in Serie A. His consistent goal-scoring record, never falling below 20 goals in seasons with 20 or more appearances, led him to secure the Serie A top scorer title five times. Additionally, he claimed an Olympic gold medal with the Swedish national team.

13.  Paolo Rossi

Paolo Rossi stole the spotlight during the 1982 FIFA World Cup, guiding Italy to victory with his six goals, the highest in the tournament. His crucial opening goal in the final against a strong German team paved the way for Italy's 3-1 triumph. Rossi also contributed to Juventus' success by clinching a European Cup and Serie A title.

12. Josef Bican

Josef Bican, an Austrian-Hungarian speedster with an astonishing 100-meter dash time of 10.8 seconds, utilized his remarkable speed and agility to score 607 league goals in 406 games. Despite his talents, he remained in Eastern Europe throughout his career, leaving many fans unaware of his genius.

11. Fernando Peyroteo

 Fernando Peyroteo might be an unfamiliar name to many, but he stands as football's most prolific striker, boasting an incredible average of 1.7 goals per game. With a total of 331 goals in 197 appearances, Peyroteo spent his entire career at Sporting, securing six Liga titles and four Tacas de Portugal trophies.

Determining the greatest strikers in football history is a challenging task, especially when comparing players from different eras. While trophy hauls played a significant role in our rankings, we also considered exceptional natural talents. Here's our list of the top 10 strikers in the history of world football.

10. Arthur Friedenreich

In the early 20th century, German-Brazilian striker Arthur Friedenreich took the football world by storm. He consistently topped the goal-scoring charts in the Sao Paulo League, a feat unmatched even by Pele. Friedenreich's prolific scoring ability marked an era and established his legacy in football history.

9. Marco Van Basten

Marco van Basten's remarkable career with Ajax and Milan included iconic moments like his sublime volley in the 1988 European Championships final. He secured league titles and European Cups, showcasing his exceptional skills under tactical expert Arrigo Sacchi. Sadly, his career was cut short at 28 due to injuries, leaving an enduring impact on the sport.

8. Romario

Romario often overlooked in discussions of the greatest strikers, possessed exceptional goal-scoring prowess. He scored over 1,000 official goals and played a crucial role in Brazil's 1994 FIFA World Cup victory. Domestically, he excelled for clubs like PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona, leaving a lasting legacy as a clinical finisher.

7. Sandor Kocsis

Sandor Kocsis' incredible performance in the 1958 FIFA World Cup, scoring 11 goals, highlighted his goal-scoring ability. He achieved significant success with Honved Budapest and Barcelona, where he registered numerous hat-tricks. Kocsis' goal-scoring exploits made him a standout striker of his era.

6. Alfredo Di Stefano

Alfredo Di Stefano was a key figure in Real Madrid's remarkable achievement of clinching five consecutive European Cup titles from 1955 to 1960. He scored prolifically for los Blancos and won major trophies, although he never participated in a FIFA World Cup. Di Stefano's impact in La Liga and beyond solidified his reputation as one of football's greats.

5. Gerd Muller

Gerd Muller, famously known as "Der Bomber," was a prolific striker for both Germany and Bayern Munich. His precise finishing led to numerous goals, and he played a key role in Germany's World Cup and European Championships triumphs. Muller's ability to find the net consistently earned him a place among the best.

4. Ferenc Puskas

Ferenc Puskas, part of Hungary's legendary "Magical Magyars" team, was a goal-scoring phenomenon. He dominated Hungarian domestic leagues and achieved success with Real Madrid, winning multiple La Liga titles and European Cups. Puskas' incredible goal-scoring record and trophy hauls established him as an iconic striker.

3. Eusebio

Eusebio, hailed as Portugal's treasure, showcased exceptional goal-scoring prowess throughout his career. His impressive goal tally, including a European Cup win, and individual accolades solidified his legacy. Eusebio's impact on Portuguese football and his international achievements elevated him to legendary status.

2. Ronaldo

Ronaldo, often referred to as "the phenomenon," left an indelible mark on football, especially at the FIFA World Cup. He holds the record for the most goals in the tournament and possessed a unique blend of speed, power, dribbling, and finishing abilities. Ronaldo's three-time World Player of the Year titles underline his influence on the game.

1. Pele

Pele, the quintessential football legend, is widely regarded as the greatest striker in history. He holds numerous records, including being Brazil's all-time top scorer and winning the FIFA World Cup three times. Pele's extraordinary goal-scoring ability, coupled with his remarkable achievements, cements his legacy as the ultimate striker and a true ambassador of the beautiful game. His recent recognition with the 2014 FIFA Ballon d'Or Prix d'Honneur further emphasizes his unparalleled contributions to football.