Profiles of world football's top strikers
The glory boys of most football teams are the strikers, those world class players with an inimitable knack for placing the ball in the back of the opposition net with breathtaking regularity. From Rio to Buenos Aires, from Milan to Belfast, we watch football to see great goalscorers and scorers of great goals and no-one does it better than the forwards we have profiled.
Andrei Arshavin
Andrei Arshavin is a Russian footballer of exquisite attacking talent, a mercurial creator of goals for both his hometown club Zenit St. Petersburg and the Russian national team.
Andrei Arshavin is a Russian footballer of exquisite attacking talent, a mercurial creator of goals for both his hometown club Zenit St. Petersburg and the Russian national team.
Brian McBride
Brian McBride has represented America at three World Cup Finals while also scoring goals for clubs in Major League Soccer and the English Premier League
Brian McBride has represented America at three World Cup Finals while also scoring goals for clubs in Major League Soccer and the English Premier League
Jozy Altidore
Jozy Altidore is one of the new shining lights of the US Major League Soccer system having scored goals at the highest level for Red Bull New York and made his international debut for the USA aged only 18.
Jozy Altidore is one of the new shining lights of the US Major League Soccer system having scored goals at the highest level for Red Bull New York and made his international debut for the USA aged only 18.
Fredi Kanoute
Profile and career history of Malian striker Fredi Kanoute who has played at the top level in France, England and Spain winning domestic and European trophies with FC Sevilla and the 2007 African Player ofthe Year award.
Profile and career history of Malian striker Fredi Kanoute who has played at the top level in France, England and Spain winning domestic and European trophies with FC Sevilla and the 2007 African Player ofthe Year award.
Alexandre Pato
Brazil's latest teenage prodigy, Alexandre Pato made his name playing for Internacional in his native coutnry before making a multi-million dollar move to Italian giants AC Milan.
Brazil's latest teenage prodigy, Alexandre Pato made his name playing for Internacional in his native coutnry before making a multi-million dollar move to Italian giants AC Milan.
Bojan Krkic
Bojan Krkic is a prodigious footballing talent having risen through the FC Barcelona youth team ranks and broken all goal scoring records at youth level along the way. Bojan is the future of European football.
Bojan Krkic is a prodigious footballing talent having risen through the FC Barcelona youth team ranks and broken all goal scoring records at youth level along the way. Bojan is the future of European football.
David Suazo
One of the new super stars to arrive at Italian giants Inter Milan, David Suazo is a composed, passionate and well respected striker who plays international football for Honduras.
One of the new super stars to arrive at Italian giants Inter Milan, David Suazo is a composed, passionate and well respected striker who plays international football for Honduras.
Andriy Shevchenko
Career history and background of Ukrainian forward Andriy Shevchenko, hero of Dynamo Kiev, AC Milan, Chelsea and Ukraine.
Career history and background of Ukrainian forward Andriy Shevchenko, hero of Dynamo Kiev, AC Milan, Chelsea and Ukraine.
Carlos Tevez
Argentina's problematic striker and footballing supremo Carlos Tevez receives wide publicity as much for his controversy as his footballing ability
Argentina's problematic striker and footballing supremo Carlos Tevez receives wide publicity as much for his controversy as his footballing ability
David Healy
Career history and background of Northern Ireland's international record goalscorer David Healy
Career history and background of Northern Ireland's international record goalscorer David Healy
David Villa
Widely regarded in footballing circles as one of the best strikers in World Football, David Villa plays for Valencia and Spain
Widely regarded in footballing circles as one of the best strikers in World Football, David Villa plays for Valencia and Spain
Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba is a powerhouse of a striker who is widely regarded as one of the current best finishers in the world.
Didier Drogba is a powerhouse of a striker who is widely regarded as one of the current best finishers in the world.
Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov is an impressive Bulgarian striker highly regarded for his deadly pinpoint finishing and his ability to influence a game. Berbatov is currently one of the best strikers in Europe.
Dimitar Berbatov is an impressive Bulgarian striker highly regarded for his deadly pinpoint finishing and his ability to influence a game. Berbatov is currently one of the best strikers in Europe.
Dirk Kuyt
Through his strong performances and high work ethic Dirk Kuyt has established himself as one of the most exciting and successful strikers in Europe playing for English club side Liverpool FC. In addition to his success domestically Kuyt has become a regular member of the Dutch international squad and recently participated in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Through his strong performances and high work ethic Dirk Kuyt has established himself as one of the most exciting and successful strikers in Europe playing for English club side Liverpool FC. In addition to his success domestically Kuyt has become a regular member of the Dutch international squad and recently participated in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Fernando Torres
Fernando Torres is a precocious Spanish goalscoring forward who burst onto the professional football stage in a flurry of goals and skilful ballwork for both his childhood favourites Atletico Madrid and the Spanish national team.
Fernando Torres is a precocious Spanish goalscoring forward who burst onto the professional football stage in a flurry of goals and skilful ballwork for both his childhood favourites Atletico Madrid and the Spanish national team.
Filippo Inzaghi
Filippo Inzaghi has throughout his long illustrious career succeeded in establishing himself as one of the most talented and well respected strikers in Europe playing at the highest level of Italian football for Parma, Juventus and AC Milan. In addition, Inzaghi was a World Cup Winner with Italy in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Filippo Inzaghi has throughout his long illustrious career succeeded in establishing himself as one of the most talented and well respected strikers in Europe playing at the highest level of Italian football for Parma, Juventus and AC Milan. In addition, Inzaghi was a World Cup Winner with Italy in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Freddy Adu
Career history and background of Ghanian born USA teen soccer sensation Freddy Adu who plays for DC United in Major League Soccer
Career history and background of Ghanian born USA teen soccer sensation Freddy Adu who plays for DC United in Major League Soccer
Kaka
Career history and profile of the latest Brazilian midfield maestro and star of A.C. Milan, Kaka.
Career history and profile of the latest Brazilian midfield maestro and star of A.C. Milan, Kaka.
Lionel Messi
Career history and background of Barcelona and Argentina's boy wonder striker Lionel Messi
Career history and background of Barcelona and Argentina's boy wonder striker Lionel Messi
Luca Toni
Luca Toni is one of the most natural goalscorers in European football and has proven his ability at the highest level.
Luca Toni is one of the most natural goalscorers in European football and has proven his ability at the highest level.
Michael Owen
Michael Owen has proved his abilities as some of Europe's biggest clubs but horrifc injury troubles in recent years have stalled his career. Now playing for Newcastle United and returned to full fitness fans are hopeful that he can return to the form that once made him one of Europe's most deadly strikers.
Michael Owen has proved his abilities as some of Europe's biggest clubs but horrifc injury troubles in recent years have stalled his career. Now playing for Newcastle United and returned to full fitness fans are hopeful that he can return to the form that once made him one of Europe's most deadly strikers.
Raúl
Career history and profile of Real Madrid and Spain striker Raúl González, all time top goalscorer for both the Spanish national side and inthe history of the UEFA Champion's League
Career history and profile of Real Madrid and Spain striker Raúl González, all time top goalscorer for both the Spanish national side and inthe history of the UEFA Champion's League
Robin Van Persie
Robin Van Persie has steadily developed into a deadly striker with a creative edge at Arsenal. The question remains as to whether he can fill the void left at the club by the supreme Thierry Henry.
Robin Van Persie has steadily developed into a deadly striker with a creative edge at Arsenal. The question remains as to whether he can fill the void left at the club by the supreme Thierry Henry.
Robinho
Robinho is one of the hottest prospects in European football playing for Spanish giants Real Madrid
Robinho is one of the hottest prospects in European football playing for Spanish giants Real Madrid
Ronaldinho
Career history and background of Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho
Career history and background of Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho
Ronaldo
The career history and background of one of modern day soccer's most famous and highly decorated players, Ronaldo of Brazil.
The career history and background of one of modern day soccer's most famous and highly decorated players, Ronaldo of Brazil.
Ruud van Nistelrooy
Ruud van Nistelrooy has proven his striking ability at some of Europe's major clubs and has established himself as one of the most sought forwards in European football.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has proven his striking ability at some of Europe's major clubs and has established himself as one of the most sought forwards in European football.
Ryan Babel
Ryan Babel has emerged onto the European stage as a young exciting attacking midfielder with a creative edge and an eye for goal.
Ryan Babel has emerged onto the European stage as a young exciting attacking midfielder with a creative edge and an eye for goal.
Samuel Eto'o
Career history and profile of Barcelona and Cameroon star striker Samuel Eto'o, one of African and European football's most deadly goalscorers.
Career history and profile of Barcelona and Cameroon star striker Samuel Eto'o, one of African and European football's most deadly goalscorers.
Thierry Henry
Career history and profile of one of Europe's most exciting and skilful players, Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry
Career history and profile of one of Europe's most exciting and skilful players, Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry
Wayne Rooney
Bursting onto the scene as a 16 year old for Everton in the English Premiership, Wayne Rooney has went on to bolster his world class reputation with starring displays for England and Manchester United following his £30m move in 2004.
Bursting onto the scene as a 16 year old for Everton in the English Premiership, Wayne Rooney has went on to bolster his world class reputation with starring displays for England and Manchester United following his £30m move in 2004.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Ibrahimovic is one of the most exciting and talented young strikers currently playing European football. Despite his young age he has established himself as one of the strongest and well respected strikers in Europe through his impressive performances on the European stage.
Ibrahimovic is one of the most exciting and talented young strikers currently playing European football. Despite his young age he has established himself as one of the strongest and well respected strikers in Europe through his impressive performances on the European stage.