The Best World Cup Strikers of All-Time: Part 1

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar is just around the corner so let's take a look at the top 10 best World Cup strikers of all-time.

#10. Paolo Rossi

Rossi is one of greatest Italian players of all-time, his nine goals the most in World Cup history for his country. His six goals in the 1982 World Cup winning campaign were his most important.

Despite failing to score in the first four matches, Rossi would help defeat Maradona's Argentina, Rummenigge’s West Germany and Zico's Brazil with a hat-trick.

Known for his speed, elusiveness and his killer instinct, Rossi was seemingly always at the right place at the right time and capped off his World Cup winning season by being awarded the 1982 Ballon d'Or.

#9. Sandor Kocsis

Sandor Kocsis' reputation is somewhat obscure when you compare it to his striking partner Ferenc Puskás. Kocsis was however just as clinical as Puskás and even has a superior strike rate with his 75 goals in 68 games.

Kocsis is the sixth highest World Cup scorer of all-time, all 11 of his goals scored during the 1954 World Cup. His record in World Cups is superior over Puskas who has four goals.

#8. Gary Linekar

Gary Linekar has scored the third most goals of all-time for England. His six goals at the Mexico 1986 World Cup earned Linekar the golden boot and helped the Three Lions progress to the quarter-finals against Argentina.

He also scored four goals at the 1990 World Cup in Italy to take his total World Cup tally to 10, helping England to semi-final spot.

Linekar has the amazing record of never having been booked in his entire career. It's a huge achievement considering Linekar played more than 450 league games and 80 games for England.

#7. Eusebio

Eusebio was one of the greatest footballers of all-time. Born in present day Mozambique, Eusebio led Portugal to the final four at the 1966 World Cup, losing in extra time to eventual winners England in the semi-final.

Finishing as top scorer of the 1966 World Cup with 9 goals, Eusebio possessed blistering speed, a killer instint and a ferocious shot. He also won the Ballon d'Or award in 1965 and was runner-up in 1962 and 1966.

#6. Just Fontaine

Pele stole the show at the 1958 World Cup but it was Frenchman Just Fontaine who was top goalscorer. He scored all 13 of his World Cup goals in the tournament and is 4th of all-time for World Cup goals.

Fontaine's 13 World Cup goals at the 1958 World Cup is record for most goals at a single tournament, a record that still stands and is unlikely to ever be broken.

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