The 14 Most Overrated Strikers in Football History

Big names, bigger reputations and end product that never quite matched the billing, the strikers fans love to argue about. Who's the most overrated? You decide!

1

Álvaro Morata

A striker gifted chances at Europe's biggest clubs who rarely delivered goals to match the billing.

1000pts

2

Fernando Torres

Once world-class at Liverpool, his post-move decline made him a lightning rod for the label.

663pts

3

Fernando Llorente

A tall target man frequently seen as living off one or two standout campaigns.

631pts

4

Mario Balotelli

Immense natural talent whose end product never matched the enormous hype.

473pts

5

Emile Heskey

An England regular whose modest scoring record drew persistent criticism.

473pts

6

Gonzalo Higuaín

A serial scorer forever haunted by high-profile misses on the biggest stages.

387pts

7

Edinson Cavani

A tireless finisher whose knockout-stage struggles invited overrated claims.

387pts

8

Olivier Giroud

A decorated forward often argued to be flattered by the elite teams around him.

387pts

9

Andriy Shevchenko

A Milan great whose disastrous Chelsea spell fuelled the overrated debate.

387pts

10

Wayne Rooney

A generational English talent some feel never fully delivered on the global stage.

387pts

11

Karim Benzema

A Real Madrid great some argue was propped up for years by superstar teammates.

284pts

12

Harry Kane

A relentless goalscorer whose lack of major trophies fuels a persistent overrated narrative.

284pts

13

Roberto Soldado

A prolific LaLiga scorer whose big move to Tottenham exposed his limits.

158pts

14

Andy Carroll

A record British fee that made his aerial-only game look badly overvalued.

158pts