Sports magazine Give Me Sport has published a ranking of the best center forwards in football history. It is worth noting that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were not included in the ranking, as they played most of their careers in different positions.
The 20 best centre forwards in football history according to Give Me Sport:
The ranking took into account the number of goals scored, the number of trophies won, individual achievements such as the Ballon d'Or and the position of centre forward as the main role.
Karim Benzema is a French professional footballer who currently plays as a striker for Real Madrid and the French national team. Considered one of the best strikers of his generation, Benzema has established himself as a world-class striker over the last decade.
Born in Lyon in 1987, Benzema came through the youth academy of his hometown club Olympique Lyonnais. He made his professional debut for Lyon in 2005 and quickly established himself as a prolific goalscorer, helping the club win three Ligue 1 titles between 2006 and 2008. Benzema's performances attracted the attention of Europe's giants, and in 2009 he made a high-profile move to Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid.
At Real Madrid, Benzema has become a club legend. Over the last 13 seasons, he has scored over 350 goals for Los Blancos, making him the club's fourth all-time top scorer. Benzema has been a key part of Real's success, winning 4 Champions League titles, 3 La Liga championships and numerous other domestic and international trophies.
Renowned for his excellent technique, composure in front of goal and intelligence of movement, Benzema is regarded as one of the most complete forwards in world football. He has formed a deadly partnership with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and more recently Vinicius Junior, demonstrating his ability to facilitate the play of those around him as well as finding the back of the net himself.
