In the beauty of football, some players has proven to be the best forwards of all time. Throughout football history, these players has captivated the heart of fans with their prowess goal scoring towards the game.
10 Best Football Forwards of all Time
Among others choosing the top 20 best forwards of all time is not an easy feat. But here are the list of some of the most impactful strikers according to goalupdated.
10. Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)
Drogba time at Chelsea made him a legend with the blues. His dominant presence and aerial prowess as well as scoring goals in big finals has undoubtedly etched his name as one of the top forwards in football history.
Didier Drogba Achievements as a Footballer
- 4x English Premier League Winner (2005, 2006, 2010, 2015)
- 4x English FA Cup Winner (2007, 2009, 2010, 2012)
- 3x English League Cup Winner (2005, 2007, 2015)
- 1x UEFA Champions League (2012)
- UEFA Europa League top Scorer (2009)
- 2x English Premier League Golden boot award (2007, 2010)
- Player of the Year award (2004)
- 2x English Premier League Player of the Year (2013)
- 2x African Footballer of the Year award (2006, 2009)
- English Super Cup Winner (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010)
- Turkish Champions (2013)
- Turkish Cup Winner (2014)
- Turkish Super Cup Winner (2014)
9. Romario (Brazil)
Brazilian International player who is known to be a politician is classified among the best forwards of all time. Romario who is known as a skillful attacker, a dribbler, a clinical finisher in scoring goals. Brazil Romario has played in Brazil, Spain and Netherland. Scoring over 752 career goals.
Romario Achievements as a footballer
- Best FIFA Men’s Player (1994)
- Footballer of the Year (1989)
- 16x Top Goal Scorer (1989-1994, 1997-2001, 2005-2006)
- World Cup Winner with Brazil (1994)
- 4x Copa America Winner (1989, 1997, 1998)
- Spanish Champion (1994)
- 3x Dutch Champion (1989, 1991, 1992)
- 3x Dutch Cup Winner (1989, 1990, 1991)
- 2x Dutch Super Cup Winner (1992, 1993)
- Brazilian Champion (2000)
- Confederation Cup Winner (1997)
8. Ronaldo Nazario (Brazil)
Former Real Madrid player Ronaldo Nazario, who retired from professional football in 2011 has earned a place in our list of best forwards of all time.
Ronaldo Nazario who played in Spain, Italy and Netherland, regarded as one of the most successful forwards the game has witness. Winning the UEFA Champions league 3 times and scoring 473 career goals. The Brazilian International forwards has also won the Ballon d’or two times in his career.
Ronaldo Nazario Achievements as a Footballer
- 2x Brazilian Cup Winner (1993, 2009)
- Dutch Cup Winner (1996)
- Dutch Super Cup Winner (1996)
- 2x Spanish Super Cup Winner (1996, 2003)
- Spanish Cup Winner (1997)
- UEFA Cup Winners Cup (1997)
- UEFA Cup Winner (1998)
- International Cup (2002)
- 2x Spanish Champion (2003, 2007)
- 2x World Champion (1994, 2002)
- 2x Copa America (1997, 1999)
- FIFA Confederation Cup (1997)
- 3x FIFA World Player of the Year (1996, 1997, 2002)
- FIFA World Cup Golden Ball (1998)
- 2x Ballon d’or 1997, 2002
7. Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)
Johan Cruyff born 25 April 1947 played for Netherland and also coached the team, he died in March 2016. The Netherland International is fine style of play and clinical finishing in scoring goals has seen the Dutch become one of the best forward in football history. Scoring 421 career goals, he is one of the most decorated Dutch player.
Johan Cruyff Achievements as a Footballer
- 3x Ballon d’or Winner (1971, 1973, 1974)
- 7x Top Goal Scorer (1967 – 1972)
- 3x Europeans Champion Clubs Winner (1971, 1972, 1973)
- Spanish Champion (1974)
- UEFA Super Cup Winner (1972)
- Spanish Cup Winner (1978)
- 9x Dutch Champion (1966 – 1968, 1970, 1972-1973, 1982 – 1984)
- 6x Dutch Cup Winner (1967, 1970 – 1972, 1983 – 1984)
- Intercontinental Cup Winner (1972)
6. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden)
Swedish International Zlatan Ibrahimovic has played professional football in seven different countries, winning 11 eleven league trophies scoring 541 goals in his senior career.
Former AC Milan forward is known for his iconic quote and acrobatic goal scoring in several league, Ibrahimovic helped Manchester United win the UEFA Europa cup while playing Under Mourinho.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic Achievements as a Footballer
- 15x Footballer of the Year (2005, 2007 – 2016, 2020)
- FIFA Puskas award (2013)
- 6x Top Goal Scorer (2009, 2012 – 2016)
- 3x French Player of the Year (2013, 2014, 2016)
- FIFA Club World Cup Winner (2010)
- 5x Italian Champion (2007 – 2009, 2011, 2022)
- 4x French Champion (2013 – 2016)
- Spanish Champion (2010)
- UEFA Super Cup Winner (2010)
- Europa League Winner (2017)
- 2x French Cup Winner (2015, 2016)
- 3x Italian Super Cup Winner (2007, 2009, 2012)
- Spanish Super Cup Winner (2010, 2011)
- English League Cup Winner (2017)
- English Super Cup Winner (2017)
- 3x French League Cup Winner (2014 – 2016)
- 2x Dutch Champion (2002, 2004)
- Dutch Cup Winner (2002)
- Dutch Super Cup Winner (2002)
- 3x French Super Cup Winner (2014 – 2016)
5. Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
Robert Lewandowski ability to score goals using head and leg has made him a complete striker. He is regarded as one of the best forwards of all time. Scoring over 600 senior goals in club and country side, his performance in Spain at Barcelona is undeniably remarkable at 35 years.
Robert Lewandowski Achievements as a Footballer
- 2x Best FIFA Men’s Player (2020, 2021)
- UEFA Best Player in Europe (2020)
- 12x Footballer of the Year (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021)
- 20x Top Goal Scorer (2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
- 2x Germany Player of the Season (2020, 2021)
- Champions League Winner (2020)
- FIFA Club World Cup Winner (2021)
- 10x German Champion (2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
- UEFA Super Cup Winner (2021)
- 4x German Cup Winner (2012, 2016, 2019, 2020)
- 6x German Super Cup Winner (2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022)
- Spanish Super Cup Winner (2023)
- Polish Champion (2010)
- Polish Cup Winner (2009)
- Polish Super Cup Winner (2010)
4. Gerd Müller (Germany)
Germany top goal scorer, a prolific attacker most especially inside the six yard box. Muller is also Bundesliga top scorer of al time. scoring 398 Bundesliga goal and 722 career goals.
It is no doubt that the German player is one of the greatest forward football has ever witness.
Gerd Muller Achievements as a Footballer
- Ballon D’or Winner (1970)
- 2x Footballer of the Year (1967, 1969)
- 17x Top Goal Scorer
- European Champion (1972)
- 3x European Champion Clubs Cup Winner (1974 – 1976)
- 4x German Champion (1969, 1972 – 1974)
- Europapokal Der Pokalsieger Sieger (1967)
- 4x German Cup Winner (1966, 1967, 1969, 1971)
- Intercontinental Cup Winner (1976)
3. Pelé (Brazil)
Brazilian Pelé is the only player to ever win 3 World Cup and the youngest to have won the World Cup at the age of 17 years in 1958.
Scoring over 1,283 career goals, the iconic Brazilian Pelé is known to be the most celebrated football player in history today.
Pelé Achievements as a Footballer
- 6x Top Goal Scorer (1959, 1961 – 1965)
- 3x World Cup Winner (1958, 1962, 1970)
- 6x Brazilian Champion (1961 – 1965, 1968)
- 2x Copa Libertadores Cup Winner (1962, 1963)
- 2x Intercontinental Cup Winner (1962, 1963)
- 2x Nasl Soccer Bowl Champion (1977)
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
The Portuguese captain dedication to the game has propelled him to become one of the best forwards of all time despite he still plays active football.
Cristiano Ronaldo is a physical powerhouse goal scorer who has proven to be one of the greatest striker by playing in several leagues and top clubs around Spain, England, Italy, Portugal and Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo has scored 873 senior career goals and still counting at 38 years, he is one of the players to have made 1,200 professional appearance.
Cristiano Ronaldo Achievements as a Footballer
- 3x FIFA Men’s Player (2008, 2016, 2017)
- 5x Ballon d’or Winner (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017)
- 4x UEFA Best Player in Europe (2008, 2014, 2016, 2017)
- 14x Footballer of the Year (2007 – 2009, 2011 – 2013, 2015 – 2020)
- FIFA Pukas award (2009)
- 19x Top Goal Scorer (2005, 2008, 2008, 2011 – 2019, 2021)
- 8x Player of the Year (2007, 2008, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2019 – 2021)
- 2x TM Player of the Season (2017, 2019)
- European Champion (2016)
- 5x Champions League Winner (2008, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018)
- 4x FIFA Club World Cup (2009, 2015, 2017, 2018)
- 3x English Champion (2007, 2008, 2009)
- 2x Spanish Champion (2012, 2017)
- 2x Italian Champion (2019, 2020)
- 3x UEFA Super Cup Winner (2015, 2017, 2018)
- UEFA Nations League Winner (2019)
- English FA Cup Winner (2004)
- 2x Spanish Cup Winner (2011, 2014)
- Italian Cup Winner (2021)
- 2x English League Cup (2006, 2009)
- 2x Spanish Super Cup Winner (2013, 2018)
- 2x Italian Super Cup Winner (2019, 2021)
- 2x English Super Cup Winner (2007, 2008)
- Portuguese Super Cup Winner (2003)
Best Football Forward of all Time: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Lionel Messi is regarded as the most successful football player today, his career has been from one achievement to another.
Arguably the greatest player of his generation, Messi’s ability to dribble past defenders with ease and consistently find the back of the net secures his place among the all-time greats.
The Argentine has recorded over 821 goals in 1,045 professional appearance and has provided a total of 344 assists. His move to MLS sees him scoring more goals and performing at top level at 36 years.
Lionel Messi Achievements as a Footballer
- 3x Best FIFA Men’s Player (2009, 2019, 2022)
- 8x Ballon d’or Winner (2009 – 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023)
- 3x UEFA Best Player in Europe (2099, 2011, 2015)
- 23x Top Goal Scorer (2005, 2009×2, 2010×2, 2011×2, 2012×3, 2013 – 2016, 2017×2, 2018, 2019×2, 2020, 2021×2, 2023)
- 10x Player of the Year (2009, 2009, 2010 – 2013, 2015, 2017 – 2019)
- 4x TM Player of the Season (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
- World Cup Winner (2022)
- Copa America Winner (2021)
- 4x Champions League Winner (2006, 2009, 2011, 2015)
- 3x FIFA Club World Cup Winner (2010, 2012, 2016)
- 10x Spanish Champion (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011,2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019)
- 2x French Champion (2022, 2023)
- 3x UEFA Super Cup Winner (2010, 2012, 2016)
- 7x Spanish Cup Winner (2009, 2012, 2015 – 2018, 2021)
- 8x Spanish Super Cup Winner (2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2019)
- Leagues Cup Winner (2023)
- Under 20 World Cup Winner (2005)
- Conmebol-UEFA Cup of Champions Winner (2022)
- French Super Cup Winner (2023)
- 2x Olympic Medalist (2008, 2009)
Conclusion
In the rich tapestry of football history, the quest to pinpoint the top 10 best football forwards of all time unveils a thrilling narrative. From Didier Drogba’s legendary Chelsea tenure to Romario’s Brazilian brilliance, each player etches an unforgettable legacy. Ronaldo Nazario’s triumphs at Real Madrid, Johan Cruyff’s Dutch finesse, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s global impact add diverse hues to this canvas. Robert Lewandowski’s completeness, Gerd Müller’s Bundesliga dominance, and the unmatched prowess of Pelé and Cristiano Ronaldo culminate in a mosaic of greatness. However, it is Lionel Messi, with unparalleled achievements and timeless skill, who stands atop as the ultimate football forward.
