Choosing the greatest strikers of all time is a mix of goals, records, and big-game impact. Experts often rank forwards by career goals, trophies, and influence on the pitch. We even cover what gear (like the best soccer cleats for strikers) helps modern forwards. These best soccer strikers of all time redefined scoring at every level.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Manchester United, Real Madrid)
The GOAT (greatest player), Modern scoring royalty, CR7 is the sport’s highest-ever goal-scorer with over 900+ career goals. He broke many records, including the first player to reach 450 La Liga goals, and won five Ballon d’Ors. Cristiano claimed four European Golden Shoes (awarded to Europe’s top league scorer), and he’s a three-time Premier League and five-time Champions League winner. His relentless athleticism and trademark headers make him the greatest striker of all time.
2. Lionel Messi (Argentina/FC Barcelona)
Often cited as the GOAT (greatest player) and one of the greatest strikers of all time, Messi rewrote the scoring record book. He tallied 672 league goals for Barcelona and won a record six European Golden Shoes. An eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, he also crowned his career with a 2022 World Cup win. Messi’s blend of dribbling, vision, and clinical finishing makes him a benchmark among the best soccer strikers ever.
3. Diego Maradona (Argentina/Napoli)
While often a playmaker, Maradona’s influence was striker-like when he exploded in the 1986 World Cup. He scored the famous “Goal of the Century,” dribbled five England players, and led Argentina to the title. He won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. Maradona’s legacy is unmatchable, that’s why he remains in the greatest strikers of all time.
4. Johan Cruyff (Netherlands/Barcelona)
The Dutch legend scored 433 goals over his career and won 3 Ballon d’Or awards. He is known as “Total Football” and revolutionized attacking play. Cruyff’s finishing touch and creativity were exceptional. He influenced generations of the best football strikers through innovation. Which bring him on The greatest strikers of all time
5. Ronaldo Nazário (Brazil)
Nicknamed “O Fenômeno,” the Brazilian Ronaldo scored 352 club goals and 62 for his country. He combined blistering pace with deft finishing. Ronaldo won two World Cups (1994, 2002); in 2002, he led the tournament with 8 goals and earned the Golden Boot. His legacy: unprecedented skill for a center-forward.
6. Pelé (Brazil/New York Cosmos)
The first global soccer superstar and only player with three World Cup titles, Pelé scored “1000” career goals (officially 767). He was a “complete striker”, fast, strong, and clinical and dominated an era. In addition to his World Cups, he won every title as the top Scorer for Santos in multiple seasons. Pelé’s flair and records make him one of the best strikers ever in any generation.
7. Ferenc Puskás (Hungary/Real Madrid)
A prolific sniper of the 1950s–60s, Puskás scored 840 official goals. With Budapest Honvéd, he hit 358 goals in 350 games and later added 242 at Real. He won three European Cups with Madrid and an Olympic gold medal. Puskás was Europe’s top scorer multiple times; he won the first-ever European Golden Shoe in 1968. The annual FIFA “Puskás Award” for best goal is named after him, cementing his legacy as one of football’s lethal finishers.
8. Gerd Müller (Germany/Bayern Munich)
Nicknamed “Der Bomber,” Müller had an astounding goals-per-game rate. He netted 565 goals in 607 games for Bayern and 68 goals in 62 caps for West Germany. Famous for 10 goals at the 1970 World Cup, he won the Golden Boot as top scorer. In 1974, he scored the winning goal in the World Cup final. Müller also captured two European Golden Shoes in 1970 and 1972. His positioning and finishing make him one of the greatest pure strikers of all time.
9. Eusébio (Portugal/Benfica)
The “Black Pearl” scored 638 goals in 614 career games. He led Portugal to third place in the 1966 World Cup with 9 goals, earning the World Cup Golden Boot. Eusébio also won the Ballon d’Or (1965) and was Europe’s top scorer twice first-ever European Golden Boot in 1968 and 1973. Eusébio’s combination of speed and skill makes him the best soccer strikers of all time.
10. Alfredo Di Stéfano (Argentina/Spain/Real Madrid)
A versatile forward who dominated the 1950s, Di Stéfano scored 509 goals in his career. He won a record five consecutive European Cups with Real Madrid and 8 La Liga titles. George Best famously called him “the most complete player”. Di Stéfano’s impact on football strategy and his incredible scoring rate make him one of the greatest strikers of all time.
Awards and Gear Highlights
Many of these legends claimed Golden Boots and other honors. European Golden Shoe winners include Messi (6 times) and Cristiano Ronaldo (4 times), as well as Eusébio (2 times) and Gerd Müller (2 times). World Cup Golden Boots went to Gerd Müller (1970) and Paolo Rossi (1982), among others (noted above). Recognizing equipment’s role, modern strikers also seek top cleats. FourFourTwo notes that the best soccer cleats for strikers have grippy uppers and an open striking surface:
Each of these forwards brought a unique style and unmatched records to the game – truly making them the greatest strikers of all time.
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