Who is the most intimidating striker in Football? Several players come to mind, including Diego Costa, Brede Hangeland, Sergio Ramos and Kenny Burns. However, there’s a difference between their on-the-ball skills and their off-the-ball antics. Take a look at our list of the five most intimidating strikers in football and decide who best fits this description.
Sergio Ramos
If you’ve ever watched a soccer match or seen an MMA fight, you’ll probably know how intimidating Sergio Ramos can be. Aside from his physical style, the Spanish striker also combines cardio and weight training to stay in shape. He has even been invited to train alongside UFC star Conor McGregor, who’s in training to make his comeback. During one of his workouts, Sergio Ramos has a weights bar in his hand to show off his girth and strength.
He has been ranked as the 6th greatest Spanish football player of all time. His physical size helps him thrive in the air, and his heading accuracy is second to none. He is also a great tackler. Despite his size, he still manages to make defenders work for a ball. His technical ability is exceptional, and he excels at passing and crossing. And although he may be old, he still has a lot to give to the Spanish team.
Although his physical presence is intimidating, he is not without his disciplinary issues. He holds the record for the most yellow cards in La Liga, with 171 compared to Alberto Lopo’s 153. He has been sent off twenty times, more than any other player in any major European league. The record for bookings is more impressive. He is the most booked player in all of the top European leagues, having more yellow cards than any other player.
David Ginola
One of the biggest reasons why Tottenham’s David Ginola is the most intimidating strikeman in football is because he’s so brash. He’s never been afraid of the spotlight, and his smile, brow, and hair don’t show it. He’s even managed to charm an intellectually cynical audience. While he has never gotten close to the fame of the famous strikers such as Cristiano Ronaldo, he’s managed to win over the audience and their doubts about his dedication to football. His tenacity has been praised by many, including his manager George Graham, who says that he is a tenacious trainer.
Despite his size, Ginola’s strength and athleticism make him an extremely difficult opponent. His famous FA Cup goal against Barnsley saw him slide the ball past a host of players to score a stunning winning goal. Johan Cruyff described him as one of the best players in the world. He moved to Aston Villa for PS3m in 2000 and scored seven goals in 41 appearances. He was instrumental in winning the UEFA Intertoto Cup with Villa, but in the summer of 2001, he and John Gregory had a tiff over Ginola’s weight.
Nobby Stiles: The most intimidating striker of all time is one who can tackle. Nobby was a fantastic man-marker. He played every minute of England’s 1966 World Cup campaign. Nobby’s size also helped make him intimidating. He was 6’6″ tall and intimidating, and he was a huge part of the team. Nobby’s nickname was “The Terminator”.
Cristiano Ronaldo
It’s no surprise that Cristiano Ronaldo is considered to be the most intimidating striker in the history of Football. He has everything that a striker could ask for. In short, he can score goals out of thin air. And he has a fearless stance even when not wearing the captain’s armband. In 2002, he scored eight goals in one World Cup, one of the most impressive comebacks in the history of football.
But who can rival the sheer intensity of Cristiano Ronaldo’s game? The list includes Diego Costa, Kenny Burns, Sergio Ramos, and Brede Hangeland. And when you combine those four players, you get a list of names that are almost as intimidating as Cristiano Ronaldo. And there are also many names that have more off-the-ball antics than on-field prowess.
As for the rest of the team, David Ginola and Brede Hangeland are also very intimidating. Hangeland is a huge target, at 6’6″ tall, but he has a heart of gold. Both of them are feared as center-backs. But there are also some players that are feared by defenders because of their strength and intimidating style.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Incredibly talented and fearsome, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a unique character in world football. Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall, he has the size and strength of a man mountain. He is a master of technique and silky skills, making it nearly impossible for defenders to keep him from scoring goals. He is also a notoriously savage player, often notching penalties for the smallest infractions.
The Swedish striker was once part of LA Galaxy but joined Juventus in 2016. He has been a goal-scoring machine wherever he has played. His new team will have a daunting test this weekend, as he will take on SPAL, the lowest team in Serie A. SPAL have scored only seven goals this season, so Ibrahimovic’s arrival is likely to be a game-changing moment.
However, Ibrahimovic’s recent incident in MLS has cast a shadow on his ominous reputation. He threatened to kill his teammates during a match against the LA Galaxy, boasting about his wealth and previous achievements. Ultimately, he lost the game, and his teammates are now unsure of what to do. But one thing is for sure: Ibrahimovic will be at Euro 2016.
Kevin De Bruyne
Manchester City are without a doubt the best team in the Premier League and Kevin De Bruyne has been one of the best players for them this season. This creative midfielder has also become a goalscoring outlet in the team. City are on top of the table with five games left to play, and Kevin De Bruyne has been instrumental in that. Despite being a midfielder, Kevin De Bruyne was vital in their 4-3 first leg win over Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The Belgian is a complete soccer player and does all aspects of the game well. He makes his team better by scoring brilliant free-kick goals and playing the perfect through ball. In the EPL season alone, he has scored 13 goals and provided 20 assists. That is a truly impressive record for a striker. It is no wonder he has become one of the most influential players in the league.
Robert Huth
Known as one of the most physical strikers on the planet, German striker Robert Huth is the joint top scorer for Stoke City. The quintessential English club has embraced Huth and brought out his best. The recent integration of a former East Berliner into English football is the perfect model for David Cameron. Huth has made the transition well and has embraced the qualities of the English game.
A former Germany international, Huthy was a man-marker who was a tough opponent for any Premier League striker. He would kick someone without thinking about it, and you wouldn’t know if he elbowed Matty Upson. This innate strength made Huth an intimidating opponent for his opponents. However, it was his ability to use his size to his advantage that made him the best striker of his generation.
Leicester City are lacking a man of steel and intimidation in their attacking third. Robert Huth is no longer the Premier League’s most intimidating striker. But his presence is important. The team has been playing attractive, possession-based football and is without a master of the dark arts. Huth scored twice against Arsenal in two memorable games. Leicester, meanwhile, have not faced such a threat in the Champions League.
Marco Materazzi
A true football icon, Marco Materazzi is one of the best-known Italian players. Born in Naples, he became a legendary midfield general with a team called AC Milan, where he amassed 55 caps. He was so good that he earned several nicknames, including Roccia, El Tigre, and Panzer. He also played for Juventus and Roma. His bruising style of play and desire to hit the ball high and hard earned him an unforgettable nickname.
The infamous incident between Marco Materazzi and Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup final was an unforgettable memory. The Italian forward received a headbutt from the French coach, which left him shaky and embarrassed. But the striker quickly recovered from the incident and won the match. Zinedine Zidane was also not impressed with the savage tackle.
Despite being an outlandish figure off the pitch, Diego Maradona regarded him as a great example of how not to behave in the game. At the 1982 World Cup, Maradona and Zico were impressed by the Italian striker. However, there is still a time when a footballer must be careful. As long as the game does not end up in a violent confrontation, Materazzi can remain a great player.
