Ranking the top 10 strikers of the pre-Messi-Ronaldo Golden Age (1995-2005)

#1 Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima

The Phenomenon is, without doubt, one of the greatest football players of all eras

O Fenômeno (The Phenomenon) is a player that transcends eras, timelines, and ages.

Such was the timeless essence of this once in a lifetime player who but for injuries should have been included in the pantheon of the greatest players of all time (Pele, Diego Maradona, Johan Cryuff, Alfredo di Stefano).

With feet that kept defenders confused at all times, dribbling skills that mesmerized and wowed both supporters and opponents, a goal-scoring technique unrivalled for its excellence and an all-round attitude that bewitched the entire world, the original Ronaldo was, without doubt, the king of a truly golden era populated by world-class strikers.

The list of clubs this great played for reads like a who-is-who of footballing royalty (PSV Eindhoven, FC Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, AC Milan) and despite his short stay at some of these clubs, such were his contributions that he is regularly mentioned among their greatest ever players.

Despite the dastardly injuries he suffered, Il Fenomeno was so awesome that a lot of playing/dribbling styles; the elastico or snakebite, the nutmeg, the stepover became synonymous with him.

A mind-blowing record of 247 goals in just 343 club appearances tells the story of an all-time great who could have done so much more. His record for Brazil is just as scary; 62 goals in 98 games.