Top 10 strikers on Earth

You may be scratching your head, wondering how the likes of Thierry Henry, Wayne Rooney, David Trezeguet and Luca Toni missed out. Indeed it was hard to pick just 10, but we used strict criteria – namely the ability to put the ball into the back of the net on a consistent basis and at the highest level.

Before the debate begins, let's also declare that Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Kaka have not been classified as strikers. But rest assured a Top 10 midfielders list will soon be open to your critique.

Now we'll be the first to admit that for every argument there is a counter point. But that said, we feel this is the definitive Top 10 strikers list!

10. Filippo Inzaghi - AC Milan
Love or hate him, there’s no denying the Milan veteran is among the best goal-sneaks in the game. His theatrics may be more suited to a broadway musical but the pencil-sized poacher has pulled Milan – and Juventus previous to that – out of the fire that many times. For that he can be forgiven the odd melodramatic moment.



9. Raul - Real Madrid
When it comes to goals, the veteran Spanish striker has broken more records than the Speedo swimming suit. He holds the gong for most Real Madrid goals, he was the first player to notch over 50 in Europe's top club competition and he has the record for most Spain goals, with 44. And those are just the big ones. The 31-year-old shows no signs of slowing down either, entering his 15th year as a pro at Real Madrid.

8. Dimitar Berbatov - Manchester United
You’re more likely to see this Bulgarian beast cruising around London with a cigarette dangling out his mouth than putting in the hard yakka on the training pitch. That said, Berbatov is a class act. Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson knew exactly what he was doing when he shelled out £30.75 million for him.



7. Didier Drogba - Chelsea
“Big Phil” Scolari wasn’t a massive fan of Drogba and thought the bulky Ivorian was better suited warming the pine for Chelsea. Thankfully for Blues fans Guus Hiddink knows better. In each of his last two matches since the Dutchman took charge, Drogba has scored the decisive goal. He may come with a prima donna attitude, penchant for diving and a habit of sulking, but the trade-off is goals, and lots of them.

6. Miroslav Klose - Bayern Munich
With a head shaped like a chisel, Klose is a potent aerial weapon for Bayern Munich and Germany. Over the past few years his shooting has improved to the point where he can’t be ignored in a round up of the world’s best point men. The Polish-born 30-year-old is prolific in front of goal at all levels and a record of one goal every other game for Die Mannschaft is testimony to that.

5. Karim Benzema - Lyon
Another precocious talent to jink his way off the Lyon production line, Benzema is slated as the next big money transfer target. Like Ibrahimovic, Benzema has a potent shot and running game to match. His thunderbolts from outside the penalty area are particularly impressive.

4. Fernando Torres - Liverpool 
He may have had more hairstyles than a mannequin, but Torres is no pretty boy when it comes to scoring goals. His 24 strikes from 33 EPL games for Liverpool last season confirmed that. Not only did he score consistently across six different competitions (including Euro 2008), he stayed fit for the majority of it too. Injuries eventually caught up with him this season, but, after a tentative start, he’s back winning games for Liverpool again.



3. David Villa - Valencia 
Often overshadowed by Torres, Villa – the other half of Spain’s irresistible strike force – is arguably the more consistent goal-scorer. This season he’s averaging more than a goal a game for Spain and has slotted 19 league strikes in 23 games for Los Che. In fact, in six seasons of La Liga, Villa has never scored less than 15 goals. A potent finisher with an uncanny ability to deliver when it counts, mark Villa as one of the world’s best.



Quick Fact: In 192 La Liga games, Villa has scored 109 goals at 0.56 per appearance. By contrast, Torres scored 75 goals from 174 La Liga games at 0.43 per outing.

2. Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Inter Milan 
Nerazzuri coach Jose Mourinho reckons his Swedish star is the best player in the game. Standing like a monolith at the tip of Inter’s attack, Ibrahimovic combines teflon skills on the ball with superb passing and a handy knack for consistently smashing them into the back of the net.



1. Samuel Eto’o - Barcelona
The Cameroon striker is back in the sort of imperial form that stamped him among the game's elite. This campaign he’s put injury woes and unhappiness rumours behind him to bang in 23 goals from as many games for Barcelona. He’s recently been linked with a move to the Milan football retirement village but judging by this season, he still has a few years left in him at the Nou Camp.