Champions League Goalscorers

After yesterday's post when we listed the highest World Cup goals for a National side, we decided to look at the Champions League top scorers. This time we look at individuals tallies, and find out who is the all time leading goal-scorer in the UEFA Champions League. So you know all statistics are correct as of December 2013 an d do not include qualifying rounds.

10. Alessandro Del Piero - 41 goals


Born 39-years-ago, the incredible Del Piero is considered by many as a legend in football. He spent pretty much his whole career with Juventus and netted 41 Champions league goals for the Italian giants, th first of which came in 1995.

9. Didier Drogba - 42 Goals

Didier Drogba playing for Chelsea

Say hello to the BEAST!!! DROGBA!!! As we all know, this man is just incredible, his strength is something that makes Defenders quake in their boots and it was for Marseille, Chelsea and most recently Galatasary. Obviously his highest honour cam with Chelsea in 2012 when he lifted the Champions League trophy.

8. Fillipo Inzaghi & Eusebio - 46 goals

In at #8 we have a draw, where both men are taking home a share of the spoils. Fillipo Inzhagi and Eusebio both netted 46 goals each in the biggest club tournament in the world. Inzaghi plied his trade at both Juventus and AC Milan while Eusebio was a one club man with Benfica.


7. Andiry Shevchenko - 48 goals

At one time Shevchenko was considered as one of the most deadly strikers in the world. In 2012 he decided to hang up his boots and enter politics, that's right politics. He stood for election in the October 2012 Ukrainian Parliamentary election.

Di Stefano back in the '50s

6. Alfredo Di Stefano - 49 goals

One of the best strikers in the 1950s, Alfredo Di Stefano played for Real Madrid during their glory years. Pele referred to him as the most complete footballer ever and with 49 goals in just 58 games I think we know why. Di Stefano has a goal ratio of 0.82 goals per game when it comes to the Champions League, the highest of anyone on this list.


5. Thierry Henry - 50 goals

The French Sensation, is now playing in the MLS with New York Red Bulls but it was his time at Arsenal he will be most remembered. His impressive 50 Champions League goals is no real shock for one of the best Attackers in the last 20 years. In 2008 the big man was voted as Arsenal's greatest ever player by the fans and no wonder!


4. Ruud Van Nistelrooy - 56 goals

A true out-and-out striker Van Nistelrooy was tremendous for Man Utd and his impressive goal scoring record is proof of that. From 1998 until 2009 he tore up defences hitting the back of the net like his life depended on it, he was the Champions League top scorer in 2001-2002, 2002,-2003 and 2004-2005, not bad, eh?


3. Cristiano Ronaldo - 59 goals

Ronaldo holding the prestigious
trophy.

...and counting. Cristiano Ronaldo's goals are made even more impressive by the fact that a lot of the games he hasn't played as a striker. His tenure at Man Utd saw him mostly play as a wide midfield player but since joining up with Madrid way back in 2009 he has played in a more attacking role.


2. Lionel Messi - 65 goals

He is just Messi, obviously he was going to be on the list. Quite simply the greatest player in the world, his goal scoring ratio is 0.79 goals per game and I think it is great to see Neymar take a little pressure off Messi who basically was Barcelona, no disrespect to any Barca players but Messi is what makes them tic and Neymar, although not on the same level, does the same thing. The 5'7 marvel will be looking to increase his tally and claim the #1 or himself but until that the top Champions League goalscorer will remain...


1. Raul - 71 goals

Raul : The highest Champions League
goal scorer.

Raul worked his way through the ranks at Real Madrid and eventually went on to be one of their greatest strikers ever. 71 goals in 142 games gives him an exact ratio of 1 goal every 2 games which is incredible. The 36 year old is now playing for Qatari team Al Sadd SC, where I'm sure he is picking up a pretty pay check but we shall all remember him as one of the best strikers of our generation.

As we round off another "Football Top Ten..." list we remind you to leave your comments, ideas, what should we do next? Who do you think will beat Raul's record first, Messi or Ronaldo? And as always follow us on twitter @FootyWeekly10s

World Cup Goalscorers

World Cup Goalscorers

Since it's incarnation in 1930 the World Cu has been the measure of a player. It is the time when the best players in the world are expected to perform but we thought that why look at individuals goal scoring record when we can list the whole Nations goals, so here it is the 10 highest World Cup scoring Countries of all time. Wooo Brazil 2014!

The King of Kings - Henrik Larsson

10. Sweden - 74 goals

We kick off the list with an always strong side, Sweden. Perhaps one of the most consistent Nations in Europe Sweden have appeared at 11 World Cups and there joint top World Cup goalscorer is a personal Hero of mine, Henrik Larsson with an impressive 5 goals throughout 3 tournaments.

9. Uruguay - 76 goals

The original setting for the World Cup, it is only fitting that Uruguay make the list. A recent establishment of some world class strikers like Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan have been key to the success of the South Americans, most recently the finished 3rd in the 2010 World Cup.

8. England - 77 goals

Yes England just beat off Uruguay to steal 8th place. A total of 77 goals shows a decent tally, however that I could see Uruguay taking this spot after the World Cup this year in Brazil. One thing which did surprise me is that Emile Heskey, a man terrorized by the whole England Nation has scored just one less goal than Alan Shearer.

7. Hungary - 87 goals

The most surprising of the list by far is Hungary. A team which in recent years have failed to make little impact in World football having been unable to qualify for the World Cup since 1986, which makes the fact they managed their way onto the list so much more impressive.

6. Spain - 88 goals

Who'd have thunk it? The reigning World Champions and European Champions only manage the take the number 6 spot. There recent rise to prominence has been basically the reason they are on the list, in fact 2 World Cups ago Spain would have been nowhere near the top 10!

5. France - 96 goals

Just Fontaine scored
13 goals in one tournamnet.

Constantly one of the bigger teams in Europe, France have shown a real dip in form in recent years, however did finish runner up in the 2006 World Cup narrowly being beaten on penalties by Italy. There highest World Cu goalscorer is Just Fontaine with 13, all of which he scored in the one tournament, that's unbelievable tekkers.

4. Argentina - 123 goals

The South American giants are a force to be reckoned with. It amazes me how everyone can overlook the so easily as challengers to the World Cup this year. For most countries a world class player like Maradona only ever happen once, but for Argentina lightning struck twice in the shape of Lionel Messi.

3. Italy - 126 goals

Not hugely surprising that the Italian take the bronze medal on our list, they are a tremendous footballing Nation. Four time Champions including 2006. Italy did however disappoint greatly in South Africa 2010 when they failed to reach the knock-out stages, I don't see that happening to them in Brazil though.

2. Germany - 206 goals

A whole 80 goals more than Italy, the Germans are one of the favourites for Brazil 2014. Joint leading goal scorers with 14 each are two legends Gerd Muller and Miroslav Klose. There presence at virtually every World Cup is key to the number of goals they have scored.

And Now the moment you have all been waiting for the highest World Cup goal scoring nation is...

1. Brazil - 209 goals

Maybe that's why Brazil are so good.

Taking our coveted #1 spot is arguably the greatest footballing country ever, Brazil. They just surpass Germany by 3 goals but with ex-stars like Pele, Romario, Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Zico just to name a few it is no shock that they are the highest scroing Country. Who knows this year playing on homeground they might just be able to lift the World Cup for a 6th time!

And there you have it, the 10 highest World Cup scoring Countries ever. I hope you enjoyed our list and please follow us on twitter @FootyWeekly10s and also leave a comment about the list or what you would like us to do a top 10 about next.

Tallest Players in the World!

Hello and welcome to the first ever "Football Top Ten..." Blog where we will be counting down the top 10 of anything and everything related to Football. All week we have been asking for your suggestions on Twitter and the people have spoken so here it is the top ten tallest footballers in the world.

Surprisingly some of the big name big men like Peter Crouch and Jan Koller did not make the cut. So here we go...(again on our own.)

10. Kjell Petter Opheim - 6'8

Kjell Petter Opheim (Left, obviously)

Ranking in at number 10 is Norwegian Goalkeeper Kjell Petter Opheim. The big man currently plays in the 3rd division in Norway with Stryn Football Club. So to answer the question on your mind, yes, he is crap. However it can't be to hard to play in goals considering he is nearly the same size as them!

9. Even Iversen - 6'8

Another Norwegian, Even Iversen takes our number 9 spot coming in at a mammoth 6'8. The defender will be 32 come January and currently plays for Hasle-Loren. Iversen played at the highest level in Norway with Bodø / Glimpses however after being relegated in 2005 he has been unable to reach those dizzy heights again.


8. Øyvind Hoås - 6'8

Would you believe it we have our third Norwegian, this country must be filled with giants! Anyway, Øyvind Hoås is a 30 year old attacker who in comparison with our last two playes actually has had some reasonable recognition within the game which includes having a trial for Luton Town, playing for the Norway U21s four times and spending most of his career in Norway's top league.



7. Tor Hogne Aaroy  - 6'8

Aaroy is known for his heading skills which must be
easy when you're a foot taller than everyone else

This cannot be right, guess where Tor Hogne Aaroy is from? Yeah, filppin' Norway! Don't worry the full list isn't just Norwegians but this lanky striker is our 4th already. He has actually had an ok career playing for Rosenberg in his younger days and scoring 90 goals for Aalesunds in 242 appearances during his first spell with the club. Aaroy also was called up to the Norway national team in 2009 but withdrew from the squad to be at the birth of his second child.

6. Yang Changpeng  - 6'8

At last our first non Norwegian player is Yang Changpeng who is also half and inch taller than our previous players. Born in 1989 he is one of  the youngest on the list and currently playing in the second tier in China. The striker may have a great advantage over his opponents when it comes to heading the ball but he hasn't made too much impact in China scoring just 4 career goals so far.

Pantilimon & Joe Hart. Joe Hart is 6'5 yet is dwarfed by
Pantilimon.

5. Costel Pantilimon - 6'8

There is a name you might recognize. The Manchester City goalkeeper made his first team debut for the club this season after a series of poor performances by Joe Hart. Pantilimon was born in Romania in 1987 and has played 16 matches for the National team. He is also currently the tallest player in the Premiership beating out Peter Crouch by an inch. Recently we have seen Hart reclaim his number one spot at Man City but I'm sure Pantilimon will be pushing for a place in the startiing 11 for the rest of the seaon.






4. Lacina Traore - 6'8

There has been a lot of buzz surrounding this young Ivory Coast international. At only 23 the forward has already scored in the Champions League, made his full national team debut and transferred to Anzhi Makhachkala for a reported €18 million. He ha shown great potential and hit the back of the net 4 times in 7 games for Ivory Coast. If you are a fan of Fifa then I would highly recommend checking him out.

3. Vanja Iveša - 6'9

The first man to break the 6'8 barrier, Vanja Iveša topples in at 6'9. The 36 year old Croatian Goalkeeper has not achieved a whole lot in his career most of which has been spent in his homeland. He did for a short time play in Australia for Sydney FC but that was just about the only time he got out of Croatia.

1. Tied between Paul Millar and Kristof van Hout - 6'10

Who would have thought it? The joint tallest football player in the world is Scotsman Paul Millar who plays with Elgin City and is actually the worlds tallest outfield player. His massive 6'10 frame has shown to be quite useful for Elgin when it comes to the aerial side of the game and the 25 year old actually is a fireman too.

Kristof van Hout the worlds tallest
goalkeeper.

Kristof van Hout is a 6'10 Belgian 'keeper currently playing for Belgian side Genk. The 26 year old has proven to have tremendous potential and plays for one of the biggest Belgian clubs in recent history, Genk.

Paul Millar (right) is the tallest outfield footballer
in the world.

So there you have it the ten tallest footballers in the world, pretty amazing, huh? Make sure to follow us on twitter @FootyWeekly10s and remember to give us your ideas on what we should do next.