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Goals are the essence of football matches, with teams spending weeks, sometimes months strategizing on the best ways to put the round leather into the back of the opposition net.
It is for this reason that players with the ability to put the ball in the back of the 'right' net on a consistent basis are placed on such a high premium, generally earning more than their peers in other positions while also having a stronger stake to claiming of individual prizes.
History has been littered with a plethora of players who regularly score goals at an alarming rate and while most of them have since retired, we are blessed to still witness some of the very best in the art of goalscoring continue to strut their stuff. In this piece, we shall be taking a look at the five highest scoring active players in Europe.
Note - all stats correct as of 22nd February 2019
#5 David Villa - 423 goals
Having displayed his goalscoring abilities on the European continent for over a decade, David Villa headed to the United States to join the newly formed New York City franchise and went on to spend four years at the club, writing his name into their history.
The 37-year-old has turned out for some of the biggest clubs in the world including Valencia, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid, winning a plethora of trophies including multiple La Ligas and a Champions League crowns.
On the international scene, Villa was also highly accomplished, being the focal point in attack for the 'Golden Generation' of Spain, which won three consecutive international tournaments between 2008 and 2012 (although he missed the 2012 tournament due to injury).
He is also the all-time record goalscorer for La Furia Roja with 59 goals from 98 international matches, while also finishing as joint top scorer at the 2010 World Cup.
In total, Villa has scored 423 goals from 829 matches throughout his career and this is an output which is enough to see him occupy the fifth spot in the rankings of highest scoring active players.
#4 Luis Suarez - 443 goals
Controversial, cheat, cunning, these are some of the unflattering terms used to describe Luis Suarez, owing to his numerous shenanigans throughout his career, but for all of his detractors, there is no denying that Luis Suarez has arguably been the standout striker in the world over the last decade.
A scorer of amazing goals and also a great goalscorer, the 32-year-old has a repertoire of goals, ranging from audacious flicks and stunning screamers to downright goal poaching and it is a testament to his abilities that he remains at this level despite so many years at the top.
Till date, he remains the only player in history to have won a Golden Boot in the Netherlands, Spanish and English top flights, while also having the unique distinction of being the only man to have beaten the eternal duo of Messi and Ronaldo to a European Golden Boot in the last decade (he did it on two occasions, although 2014 was jointly shared with Ronaldo).
Suarez is also Uruguay's all-time record goalscorer with 55 goals from 106 appearances, helping his nation to its recent resurgence including lifting the 2011 Copa America (where he was named Player of The Tournament).
With 443 goals from 699 official matches, Suarez is the 4th highest scoring active player and you can be sure that he would continue to score goals for fun for some years to come.
Also Read: 5 Players Who Can Replace Luis Suarez At Barcelona
#3 Zlatan Ibrahimovic - 505 goals
For over 15 years, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been one of the most consistent goalscorers in the world, turning out for most of the major clubs in Europe including Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, PSG and Manchester United.
He is also one of the most decorated players in history, having won almost everything winnable in the game of football (although rather shockingly, he has not lifted the Champions League).
One of Ibrahimovic's most dominant qualities has been his incredible self-belief, with many casting him off as arrogant. However, the big Swede does not just talk the talk, he also walks the walk.
He has made a habit of not only scoring goals but also scoring great goals and having conquered the European continent, Ibra is currently in the United States where he continues to deliver the goods.
Unsurprisingly, Ibrahimovic is Sweden's record goalscorer with 62 goals from 116 appearances, which added to his 443 club goals, gives him a total count of 505 goals from 873 matches.
#2 Lionel Messi - 674 goals
Arguably the greatest player of all time, Lionel Messi has totally altered our perspective of the game with his displays since he graced the football field.
Blessed with incredible technique, speed, and close control, Lionel Messi is not only one of the greatest playmakers of all time, but also one of the best goalscorers in history.
The Barcelona man's records speak for themselves, while his rivalry with Ronaldo has been the stuff of legend. With 65 goals from 128 matches, Messi is Argentina's all-time record goalscorer and for all his successes, it is, however, a pity that he is yet to lead La Albiceleste to a major trophy.
The 31-year-old has scored 674 goals from 851 matches which comes at an astonishing ratio of 0.79 goals/match and is enough to place him in second place on the list of highest scoring active players.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo - 697 goals
In the opinion of many people the greatest player of all time, Ronaldo has done justice to the GOAT moniker and continues to perform at the optimum level despite having turned 34 earlier in February.
Cristiano Ronaldo evolved from the flamboyant and somewhat vain winger that he was during his Manchester United days into a cold-blooded business minded finisher whose sole aim is putting the ball in the back of the net.
The Portuguese international is the holder of a number of goal-scoring records, including being the highest goalscorer in the history of Real Madrid, the Champions League as well as the Portugal national team.
With 697 goals from 984 official matches, Ronaldo is the highest scoring active player, which has seen him win almost everything winnable in the game of football and all his teams have benefited immensely from his amazing consistency.
