20 Greatest Strikers of All Time (Ranked)

Strikers are often considered the most valuable players on a team, as their goals can decisively change the outcome of a match. Their ability to turn a game on its head is one of the reasons why they are so highly coveted in football.

From towering aerial artists to scrappy workhorses, the game's greatest strikers come in all shapes and sizes. This list highlights the top strikers of all time, focusing specifically on players whose primary role was as a striker.

To ensure a fair assessment, we’ve used the following criteria:

• Number of goals scored
• Number of trophies won
• Personal achievements (e.g., Ballon d'Or)
• Primary position as a striker

As a result, players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are excluded from this list due to their frequent roles in other positions. Here are the best players to have ever played through the middle.

20. Dixie Dean

Career goals: 568

Ludwig van Beethoven, William Shakespeare, and Rembrandt—this is the prestigious company Liverpool's legendary manager Bill Shankly once believed was on par with Dixie Dean. Everton's all-time leading scorer, Dean was a relentless goal machine until the outbreak of the Second World War. His career was nearly cut short by a severe motorcycle accident, but he defied the odds with an astonishing four-month recovery in 1926.

In his first game back for Everton's reserves following the accident, Dean scored with a header from a cross. "I think the skull fracture knitted twice as hard," Dean remarked, "and it considerably helped with the old heading trick." During the 1927/28 season, Dean's prowess was evident as he scored a record-breaking 60 top-flight goals, with 40 of them coming from headers.

19. Sandor Kocsis

Career goals: 556

At the age of 21, Sandor Kocsis faced a crucial decision. Conscripted into the Hungarian army, he had to choose between serving on an active battlefield or joining the army football team, Honved. Unsurprisingly, Kocsis opted for the latter, a decision that proved advantageous for all parties involved.

Honved effectively acted as a training ground for the Hungary national team, which became a global powerhouse under the legendary guidance of Gusztav Sebes. Kocsis was a key figure in this formidable team, which went unbeaten for four years until the 1954 World Cup final. At that tournament, Kocsis scored 11 goals, joining a select group of players who have ever reached double figures in a single World Cup year.

18. Karim Benzema

Career goals: 433

Karim Benzema has consistently excelled in front of goal throughout his career, whether at Lyon or Real Madrid. Despite often playing alongside megastars like Cristiano Ronaldo, which sometimes overshadowed his achievements, Benzema's impressive tally of 433 goals stands as a testament to his skill.

The Ballon d'Or winner showcased his abilities further when Ronaldo departed from Real Madrid, and Benzema is now making his mark in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad. Although his time at the club hasn’t been without challenges, he has already scored nine goals for them, suggesting that his all-time goal count may continue to grow significantly.

17. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Career goals: 496

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is often celebrated for his bold personality and unparalleled confidence, but his footballing prowess also places him among the greatest strikers of all time. Over his 24-year career, the Swedish forward amassed an extraordinary number of trophies at every club he played for.

Ibrahimovic was a fan favorite wherever he went, and his consistent goal-scoring ability only enhanced his popularity. With nearly 500 career goals and a record as Sweden's all-time top scorer, Ibrahimovic's unique presence on and off the pitch remains unmatched.

16. Fernando Peyroteo

Career goals: 598

In terms of sheer statistics, few can match the legacy of Sporting CP legend Fernando Peyroteo. The Angolan-born forward ended his career with an astonishing average of 1.6 goals per game, never once finishing a season with more matches than goals.

With a robust physique honed through years of gymnastics, Peyroteo quickly made his mark at Sporting, scoring twice on his competitive debut against Lisbon rivals Benfica in 1937—an event that also marked the first time he wore studded football boots. As the focal point of the celebrated forward line known as 'the Five Violins,' Peyroteo spent his entire professional career in green and white, securing five league titles.

15. Luis Suarez

Career goals: 487

Luis Suárez might have been a controversial figure, often making headlines for his shocking and outrageous behavior, but there’s no denying his status as one of the greatest strikers in football history. Whether at Ajax, Liverpool, or Barcelona, he consistently wreaked havoc on defenders.

His time at Anfield was remarkable, but it was at Barcelona, alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar, that Suárez truly shone. Together, the trio regularly dismantled their opponents, and Suárez's goal-scoring feats in Spain were extraordinary. Over his career, he has found the back of the net 487 times. Now playing in the United States with Inter Miami and Messi, his tally is set to surpass 500 goals soon.

14. Alan Shearer

Career goals: 363

No list of the greatest strikers of all time would be complete without Alan Shearer, the Premier League's all-time top scorer. Shearer was as loyal as he was talented, netting 260 goals in England's top flight across his stints with Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, and his cherished Newcastle United.

Although he won the league only once, with Blackburn under Kenny Dalglish in 1995, his career in England remains exceptional. Shearer set the benchmark for top strikers in the Premier League, and with Harry Kane's move to Germany in 2023, Shearer's record as the Premier League's leading scorer is likely to stand for quite some time.

13. Robert Lewandowski

Career goals: 570

Robert Lewandowski's career has been nothing short of exceptional. From his impactful years at Borussia Dortmund to his global stardom at Bayern Munich and now his impressive performances at Barcelona, he has consistently delivered top-notch performances and maintained a phenomenal goal-scoring rate for nearly two decades.

The Polish icon has amassed an astonishing 29 trophies throughout his career, solidifying his status as a legend at multiple clubs. With 570 career goals to his name, few players have matched his consistency across the 2010s and 2020s. Despite his remarkable achievements, it's surprising that he never clinched the Ballon d'Or. Lewandowski will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the greatest strikers of all time.

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