# Who is the best South American striker of all time?

> Pelé, Maradona, Ronaldo, Messi — South America has produced the world's most breathtaking strikers across every era. Who is the greatest South American striker of all time?

*By YPB Team · Published May 26, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-best-south-american-striker-of-all-time*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Pelé**
   Brazil's eternal number ten and three-time World Cup winner, regarded by millions as the greatest footballer who ever lived.
2. **Ronaldo R9**
   Brazil's 'The Phenomenon' who won two World Cups and scored 15 World Cup goals with an efficiency that has never been matched.
3. **Romário**
   Brazil's short but devastating penalty-box predator who was named 1994 World Cup best player and scored over 1,000 career goals.
4. **Gabriel Batistuta**
   Argentina's 'Batigol' who was one of the most clinical and powerful center forwards of his era, Serie A's greatest foreign striker.
5. **Luis Suárez**
   Uruguay's controversial and brilliant striker, a three-time Golden Boot winner and one of the most complete forwards in modern football.
6. **Edinson Cavani**
   Uruguay's prolific striker and PSG's all-time top scorer, equally feared in the air and in a foot race to goal.
7. **Carlos Tevez**
   Argentina's working-class hero whose raw power and non-stop running made him one of the most passionate strikers in Premier League history.
8. **Hector Scarone**
   Uruguay's legendary inside forward and two-time Copa América winner in the 1920s who is considered South America's first great goal scorer.
9. **Aílton**
   Brazil's Bundesliga sensation who was the Torjägerkanone winner in 2004 and one of the most prolific strikers in Germany.
10. **Adriano**
   Brazil's powerful and feared striker who hit his peak with Inter Milan and boasted one of football's most thunderous left-foot shots.

Tags: sports, portrait, football, world cup, south america, strikers