In the exciting world of football, the art of goal scoring is arguably one of the most prized and admired skills. Strikers who can turn chances into goals are masters of the game, capable of changing the fate of a match with a single move.
Throughout the history of football, players have elevated finishing to a near-perfect science, scoring goals with a disconcerting ease that leaves fans and opponents alike in awe.
This ranking pays tribute to the greatest finishers the game has ever known, players who not only possessed a natural instinct for scoring goals, but also the technique, precision and consistency to do so at the highest level.
The 10 greatest finishers in football history:
10. Thierry Henry: (411 career goals)
Our list begins with one of the most iconic figures of the Premier League era, Thierry Henry. Known for his goal-scoring ability, especially during his prime at Arsenal, Henry was a force to be reckoned with.
His ability to score from the left flank made his feats even more impressive. As Arsenal’s all-time leading goalscorer, with 228 of his 411 career goals coming for the club, Henry’s legacy is firmly established.
His career goals per game (GPG) average of 0.45 may seem modest, but with a 19% conversion rate and a variety of goals, Henry is certainly deserving of a place in the top 10.
9. Luis Suarez: (556 career goals)
Next up, we have another Premier League legend, Luis Suarez. More traditional in his number nine style than Henry, Suarez’s goal record speaks for itself.
Despite playing for an extraordinary team in Barcelona, Suarez’s individual brilliance, particularly during his time at Liverpool, is undeniable.
As of August 2024, the Uruguayan has a career average of 0.60 goals per game with a conversion rate of 17%. With his career still ongoing at Inter Miami, Suarez has the potential to climb even higher in this ranking.
8. Romario: (287 career goals)
Brazilian legend Romario may have scored fewer goals than others on this list, but his efficiency in front of goal was unmatched. With 287 goals in 375 games, Romario’s GPG ratio of 0.76 and a conversion rate of 20% illustrate just how formidable he was.
Although he has sometimes been relegated to second place behind Ronaldo Nazario in the national team, Romario’s impact at clubs like PSV, where he scored 128 goals in 148 games, secures his place among the greats.
7. Robert Lewandowski: (653 career goals)
Robert Lewandowski, the greatest footballer in Polish history, has only gotten better with time. Once considered an ineffective striker, Lewandowski has become one of the most feared number nines in European football.
Whether at Dortmund, Bayern Munich or Barcelona, Lewandowski has consistently found the back of the net, racking up 653 goals in 925 games.
His absence from the list of Ballon d’Or winners in 2020 remains one of football’s greatest injustices.
6. Eusebio: (619 career goals)
The goalscoring record of Portuguese legend Eusebio is nothing short of remarkable. With 619 goals in 636 games, his conversion rate of 23% is a testament to his extraordinary finishing ability.
While some of his records are difficult to verify, what is certain is that Eusebio remains one of the most iconic players of his era, despite the different challenges football posed in his day.
These top five finishers are undisputed legends of football, artists on the pitch capable of transforming a simple gesture into a moment of grace and genius. Each of them has left an indelible mark on the history of the world’s most popular sport.