The greatest finishers in football history

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Erling Haaland of Manchester City scores the team's fourth goal past Gabriel of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on April 26, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

In football, it's all well and good producing lovely build-up play – but you need someone to put the ball in the net at the end of the move.

Not all forwards are created equal – but, over the years, the game has seen some unbelievably clinical finishers.

Here, we run through the best there have ever been...

32. Lajos Tichy

Lajos Tichy

Lajos Tichy (Image credit: Wikimedia Commons)

According to football stats doyens RSSSF, Lajos Tichy ranks as the most prolific goalscorer in football history – with a whopping 1,917 goals in 1,307 matches, both official and unofficial.

Even his official record wasn't too shabby, though: 51 goals in 72 caps for Hungary, and 249 in 329 appearances for legendary Budapest club Honved. Deadly.

31. Billy Sharp

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - MAY 04: Billy Sharp of Sheffield United looks on during the Sky Bet Championship between Huddersfield Town and Sheffield United at John Smith's Stadium on May 04, 2023 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Billy Sharp (Image credit: Getty Images)

Billy Sharp's move to LA Galaxy in the summer of 2023 marked a radical change for a player who has spent almost his entire career in the EFL.

Most of his appearances have come in the Championship, though, England's notoriously tough second tier – but a division Sharp made light work of as he banged in goal after goal, mostly in three spells with hometown club Sheffield United.

30. Brian Clough

English footballer Brian Clough (1935 - 2004) during his time as a striker for his home town club Middlesbrough FC, August 1957. (Photo by Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Brian Clough (Image credit: Getty Images)

As a manager, Cloughy was nothing short of legendary – and his playing career wasn't half bad, either...

The decorated former Nottingham Forest was a prolific striker for Middlesbrough and Sunderland, amassing one of the best single-season goal tallies in the history of the English second tier for Boro: 43 in 42 appearances in 1958/59.

29. George Camsell

George Camsell scoring the first goal against Germany during England's 3-0 victory in an international friendly match at White Hart Lane, 4th December 1935. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

George Camsell (Image credit: Getty Images)

Staying on Teesside, the most prolific England striker you've probably never heard of is perhaps George Camsell. He averaged two goals a game for the Three Lions, finding the net 18 times in nine caps in the 1920s and 1930s.

His crowning achievement came in the second season of his career, though, when he chalked up an incredible 59 goals in 37 appearances as Middlesbrough won the 1926/27 Second Division title.

28. Henrik Larsson

SEVILLE, SPAIN: (FILES) Photo taken 21 May 2004 shows Celtic FC Swedish forward Henrik Larsson after scoring for his team during the soccer UEFA Final Cup agaisnt FC Porto Seville. Larsson insists 30 April 2004 that he will still be leaving Scottish champions Celtic despite coming out of international reitrement to play for Sweden in the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal. AFP PHOTO CHRISTOPHE SIMON (Photo credit should read CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Images)

Henrik Larsson (Image credit: Getty Images)

From Celtic to Barcelona to Manchester United, Henrik Larsson carried the huge weight of expectation of playing for some of the biggest clubs in world football.

And it was at the former where he truly thrived, banging in 242 goals in 313 appearances – including a career best 53 in 50 during the 2000/2002 campaign.

27. Stan Mortensen

Portrait of English professional footballer Stan Mortensen (1921 - 1991), Centre Forward for Blackpool Football Club on 20th December 1947 at the Stamford Bridge stadium, London, England. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images).

Stan Mortensen (Image credit: Getty Images)

The first player to score a hat-trick in an FA Cup final (Blackpool's famous 4-3 triumph over Bolton Wanderers in 1953) Mortensen notched 284 goals for club and country.

He was also the first England player to score at the World Cup finals, netting against Chile at the 1950 tournament in Brazil.

26. Just Fontaine

SWEDEN - JUNE 29: The French player Just FONTAINE who scored 13 goals is held in triumph by his team mates. From left to right : DOUIS, Andre LEROND, Just FONTAINE and Jean VINCENT. France was in the third rank in the World Cup that took place in Stockholm. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)

Just Fontaine (Image credit: Getty Images)

With 13 goals in six games at the 1958 tournament, Just Fontaine was one of the most prolific World Cup scorers in history.

The Frenchman struck 30 times in 21 caps for France altogether, and was just as clinical at club level for Nice and Reims – reaching the 1959 European Cup final with the latter.

25. Davor Suker

LENS, FRANCE - JUNE 14: Croatia player Davor Suker celebrates after scoring against Jamaica at the 1998 World Cup Finals on June 14, 1998 in Lens, France. (Photo Allsport/Getty Images)

Davor Suker (Image credit: Getty Images)

The first superstar of Croatian football, following the country's independence, Davor Suker's goals helped fire his nation to third place at the 1998 World Cup – where performances saw him finish third in that year's FIFA World Player of the Year vote.

At club level, Suker was most prolific during his time in La Liga with Sevilla and Real Madrid – winning the 1997/98 Champions League with the latter.

24. Paolo Rossi

Soccer: FIFA World Cup 1982: Italy Paolo Rossi in action, victorious during Final against West Germany at Bernabeu Stadium. Madrid, Spain 7/11/1982 CREDIT: George Tidemann (Photo by George Tiedemann/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (SetNumber: X27034 T12 R1 F24)

Paolo Rossi (Image credit: Getty Images)

One of a handful of players to have won the World Cup, as well as the tournament's Golden Boot (for top scorer) and Golden Ball (for best player) awards, Paolo Rossi is arguably Italy's greatest ever striker.

At one time the most expensive player on the planet, Rossi fired his country to glory with a tournament-high six goals at the 1982 World Cup – including the opener in the final.

23. Hugo Sanchez

WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES - JUNE 19: WM 1994 in den USA, Washington, 19.06.94; Norwegen - Mexiko ( NOR - MEX ) 1:0; Hugo SANCHEZ/MEX (Photo by Lutz Bongarts/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Hugo Sanchez (Image credit: Getty Images)

Widely regarded as the greatest Mexican player of all time, Hugo Sanchez enjoyed a goal-laden club career largely for Real Madrid – who he joined from rivals Atletico in 1985.

Capable of scoring all kinds of goals, from tap-ins to amazing acrobatic efforts, Sanchez finished as La Liga top scorer on four occasions – including consecutive seasons between 1984/85 and 1987/88.

22. Miroslav Klose

Munich, GERMANY: German forward Miroslav Klose gestures after scoring against Costa Rica during their opening match at Munich's World Cup Stadium in football's 2006 World Cup, 09 June 2006. Germany were leading 3-2 in the second half. AFP PHOTO / VALERY HACHE (Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)

Miroslav Klose (Image credit: Getty Images)

For anyone who grew up watching the World Cup in the first decades of the 21st century, Miroslav Klose is probably one of the first names that springs to mind.

The brilliant German poacher scored 16 goals across four editions of the tournament – including two in Germany's 2014 triumph – as well as passing the 50 goal mark for Kaiserslautern, Werder Bremen, Bayern Munich and Lazio at club level.

21. Sandor Kocsis

Hungarian soccer player Sandor Kocsis. (Photo by Universal/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)

Sandor Kocsis (Image credit: Getty Images)

A key member of Hungary's legendary Mighty Magyars team of the 1950s, Sandor Kocsis amassed 556 goals in 537 career appearances – including 75 in 68 caps for Hungary, for whom he hit seven hat-tricks.

The longest spell of his club career came at Barcelona, who he helped to two La Liga titles.

20. Ronaldo

Brazil's forward Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the second goal against Germany during match 64 of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea Japan final 30 June, 2002 in Yokohama, Japan. Brazil won the championship 2-0, having now won a record five World Cup titles.AFP PHOTO GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)

Ronaldo (Image credit: Getty Images)

The 'original' Ronaldo helped redefine the role of the centre-forward in the 1990s and early 2000s, and – of course – did so while banging in goal after goal, with many a special strike among them.

A star for Barcelona and Real Madrid, O Fenomeno's career pinnacle came at the 2002 World Cup, where he finished as top scorer and bagged both of Brazil's goals en route to victory over Germany in the final.

19. Mo Salah

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United at Anfield on September 24, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Mo Salah (Image credit: Getty Images)

Perhaps the greatest African footballer of all time, Mo Salah's career took off big time when he joined Liverpool in 2017.

Usually being deployed out wide hasn't hindered the Egypt captain, who has won every trophy on offer with the Reds – scoring some truly magical goals in the process and becoming one of the club's all-time leading marksmen.

18. Dixie Dean

Dixie Dean, captain of Everton Football Club, leads his team onto the field for the Football Association Cup semi-final at Wolverhampton. (Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

Dixie Dean (Image credit: Getty Images)

Dixie Dean indelibly etched his name into English football folklore with his historic haul of 60 league goals (plus another three in the FA Cup) as Everton won the 1927/28 First Division title.

The first ever player to wear the number nine shirt – in the 1933 FA Cup final, the first game in which shirt numbers were worn – Dean also scored 18 times in 16 caps for England.

17. Jimmy Greaves

Jimmy Greaves

Jimmy Greaves (Image credit: Getty Images)

A Tottenham, Chelsea and England legend, Greaves made the art of goalscoring look easy – something he put down to his laid-back attitude on the pitch.

Spurs' all-time leading scorer for more than half a century – until Harry Kane broke his record in 2023 – the late Greaves won the 1966 World Cup with England, and the 1961/62 Serie A title with AC Milan.

16. Ruud van Nistelrooy

29 Jan 2002: Ruud van Nistelrooy of Manchester United celebrates scoring the fourth and final goal of the match during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match against Bolton Wanderers played at the Reebok Stadium, in Bolton, England. Manchester United wonthe match 4-0. \ Mandatory Credit: Alex Livesey /Allsport

Ruud van Nistelrooy (Image credit: Getty Images)

Perhaps the most devastating poacher of the Premier League era, Ruud van Nistelrooy seldom scored from outside the box.

But he didn't need to: of the 150 goals the Dutchman notched during a five-year spell with Manchester United, only one of them came from further than 18 yards out.

15. Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappé with the world cup trophy the FIFA World Cup match France versus Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia on July 15, 2018. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Kylian Mbappe (Image credit: Getty Images)

A natural-born finisher despite not necessarily playing as an out-and-out centre-forward, Kylian Mbappe established himself as one of the world's best players while still a teenager.

Named Best Young Player as France won the 2018 World Cup (where he scored in the final), Kylian went on to claim the Golden Boot as Les Bleus almost retained their crown in 2022 – becoming the first player since Geoff Hurst to score a World Cup final hat-trick.

14. Robert Lewandowski

WARSAW, POLAND - SEPTEMBER 7: Robert Lewandowski from Poland looks forward during the UEFA 2024 European Qualifiers group E match between Poland and Faroe Islands at the National Stadium on September 7, 2023 in Warsaw, Poland. (Photo by Adam Nurkiewicz/Getty Images)

Robert Lewandowski (Image credit: Getty Images)

Few players in history have scored more Bundesliga or Champions League goals than Robert Lewandowski, for whom tallies of 40 or more in a season became the norm at Bayern Munich.

In fact, the prolific Poland skipper managed that feat seven years running – even breaking the 50-goal barrier in 2019/20, when he struck 55 times despite Covid shortening the campaign slightly.

13. Alan Shearer

LEEDS, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer celebrates with his trademark one armed salute after scoring the only goal in a 1-0 FA Premier League victory against Leeds United at Elland Road, on September 21st, 1996 in Leeds, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Allsport/Getty Images/Hulton Archive)

Alan Shearer (Image credit: Getty Images)

The sight of Alan Shearer wheeling away with one arm raised was an all too familiar occurance for opponents of Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle during the 1990s and 2000s.

A Premier League Golden Boot winner three seasons running between 1994 and 1997, Shearer amassed 282 goals in the English top flight – and a further 30 for England.

12. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY - MAY 22: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan celebrates with a cigar after their side finished the season as Serie A champions during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and AC Milan at Mapei Stadium - Citta' del Tricolore on May 22, 2022 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Chris Ricco/Getty Images)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Image credit: Getty Images)

One of the most formidable characters of the 21st-century game, Zlatan Ibrahimovic also goes down as one of it's most formidable goal-getters.

The famously outspoken Swede did score tap-ins – but his career will primarily be remembered for a whole catalogue of worldies, most notably that 35-yard bicycle kick against England in 2013.

11. Harry Kane

MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 23: Harry Kane of FC Bayern München celebrates scoring the second team goal during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and VfL Bochum 1848 at Allianz Arena on September 23, 2023 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Harry Kane (Image credit: Getty Images)

Among the most lethal marksman in the history of the Premier League and the England national team, Harry Kane needs little invitation to bury the ball in the back of the net.

A Golden Boot winner in the English top flight and at the World Cup, Kane is also one of the deadliest penalty takers around.

10. Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the UEFA Champions League, Group F, football match between FC Barcelona and Paris SG at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, on December 10, 2014. Photo: Manuel Blondeau/AOP.Press/Corbis (Photo by AOP.Press/Corbis via Getty Images)

Luis Suarez (Image credit: Getty Images)

You don't win the Golden Boot in the Premier League and La Liga without being a seriously clinical finisher – and that almost feels like an understatement where Luis Suarez is concerned.

Arguably Uruguay's greatest ever player, El Pistolero has banged in the goals wherever he's gone, peaking with an astonishing 59 in 53 games for Barcelona in 2015/16.

9. Pele

Edson Arantes Do Nascimento Pele of Brazil celebrates the victory after winnings the 1970 World Cup in Mexico match between Brazil and Italy at Estadio Azteca on 21 June in Città del Messico. Mexico (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Pele (Image credit: Getty Images)

For many, the late, great Pele is still the finest player ever to grace a football pitch – and grace it he most certainly did, scoring many a goal – including 12 in 14 World Cup games – and many a great goal at that.

The Brazilian master's total of 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, including friendlies, has been recognised as a Guinness World Record.

8. Eusebio

Eusebio de Silva of Portugal in London during the 1966 World Cup tournament. July 1966. (Photo by Daily Herald/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)

Eusebio (Image credit: Getty Images)

Another indisputable all-time great, Eusebio was also one of the most prolific strikers – thanks in no small part to his turbo-charged right foot.

Top scorer at the 1966 World Cup, where he inspired Portugal to a third-placed finish, O Rei (The King) averaged close to a goal a game across glittering career which saw him win the 1961/62 European Cup with Benfica.

7. Marco van Basten

25 June 1988, Munich - UEFA Euro Championship Final - Netherlands v Soviet Union - Marco van Basten of Netherlands after the match. (Photo by Mark Leech/Offside via Getty Images)

Marco van Basten (Image credit: Getty Images)

Marco van Basten's outrageous volley for Holland against the Soviet Union in the final of Euro 1988 is undoubtedly one of the greatest goals of all time – and it was one of more than 300 he scored during an protracted but truly prolific career.

An ankle injury forced Basta to retire at the age of just 28; it's somewhat scary to think what kind of goalscoring numbers he might have put up if not for that.

6. Romario

DALLAS, TX - JULY 9: Brazilian forward Romario jubilates after scoring a goal against the Netherlands 09 July 1994 in Dallas during their World Cup quarterfinal soccer match. Brazil won 3-2 to advance to the semifinals. (Photo credit should read BOB DAEMMRICH/AFP via Getty Images)

Romario (Image credit: Getty Images)

Romario spent more than two decades terrorising defenders at club and international level, banging in 785 goals in 1,003 games in all.

A World Cup winner with Brazil in 1994, Romario was described as a "genius of the goal area" by his manager at Barcelona, John Cruyff – while Diego Maradona rated him among the very best players he ever saw.

5. Ferenc Puskas

Famous Hungarian player Ferenc Puskas. (Photo by Universal/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)

Ferenc Puskas (Image credit: Getty Images)

The iconic captain of Hungary's Mighty Magyars, Ferenc Puskas is often considered football's first international superstar.

In 792 career appearances, Puskas – who has been honoured by FIFA with an award in his name – racked up 802 goals – perhaps the two most famous of which came in Hungary's (in)famous 6-3 win over England at Wembley in 1953, the 'Match of the Century'.

4. Gerd Muller

(GERMANY OUT) Fussball 1. Bundesliga Gerd MUELLER FC Bayern Muenchen © WEREK (Photo by Pressefoto Ulmer\ullstein bild via Getty Images)

Gerd Muller (Image credit: Getty Images)

An utter menace in the box, Gerd Muller gave defences nightmares throughout the 1970s – during which we got his hands on every trophy possible with Bayern Munich and West Germany.

Der Bomber finished as top scorer at the 1970 World Cup and 1972 European Championship – as well as averaging almost a goal a game in the European Cup.

3. Erling Haaland

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates scoring during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Nottingham Forest at Etihad Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Erling Haaland (Image credit: Getty Images)

To finish in such prolific fashion in football's highest-quality era ever is no mean feat, but Erling Haaland makes it look like an absolute doddle.

The Norwegian goal machine is never far from breaking one record or another – and he went and smashed the previous single-season Premier League goals total by netting 36 times in his first campaign with Manchester City.

2. Lionel Messi

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - SEPTEMBER 07: Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Argentina and Ecuador at Estadio Más Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on September 07, 2023 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Daniel Jayo/Getty Images)

Lionel Messi (Image credit: Getty Images)

From the Champions League with Barcelona to the World Cup as Argentina captain, Lionel Messi has won it all – and he seems to have scored against everyone, too.

We've seen dazzling solo efforts, devastatingly precise free-kicks and everything in between from arguably the greatest of all time – who, in the 2011/12 season, bagged an astonishing 73 goals in 60 games for Barca.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

TOPSHOT - Nassr's Portuguese forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his second goal during the Saudi Pro League football match between Al-Nassr and Al-Shabab in Riyadh's Al-Awal Park Stadium on August 29, 2023. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo (Image credit: Getty Images)

The debate over which of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi is the better player will endure until the end of time – but the numbers make Ronaldo's finishing superiority hard to dispute.

Real Madrid's all-time record scorer, the Portuguese icon has amassed over 800 goals for club and country across a 20-year career – and was the first European player to find the net 100 times at international level.

Tom Hancock

Tom Hancock started freelancing for FourFourTwo in April 2019 and has also written for the Premier League and Opta Analyst, among others. He supports Wycombe Wanderers and has a soft spot for Wealdstone. A self-confessed statto, he has been known to watch football with a spreadsheet (or several) open...