When judging whether a forward is genuinely the real deal, BD Cricket Live often frames the debate in a familiar way, even if fans do not always realize it. In most cases, the assessment comes down to two core dimensions. The first is consistency at club level and whether the player truly contributes to the team over time. The second is performance with the national team, especially in major tournaments where pressure is at its highest. Only when both boxes are convincingly ticked do we usually accept a striker as a top-class star.
Marco van Basten is a classic example that explains this logic perfectly. Even decades later, many supporters still regard him as one of the finest center-forwards the game has ever seen, and that reputation did not come from hype alone. He proved himself both in Serie A and on the international stage. In Italy, then known as the “little World Cup” because of its fierce competition, he scored goals for fun and finished chances that seemed almost impossible. With the national team, his stunning zero-angle volley against the Soviet Union at the European Championship remains one of the most iconic goals in football history, combining quality, intensity, and spectacle at the highest level.
That is what defines a true superstar. These are players who deliver when it matters most, never shrinking on the biggest stage and always justifying their value. Ronaldo Nazario deserves to be mentioned in the same breath. Many younger fans never watched him play and may feel his reputation does not match modern icons, but those who saw him in his prime know just how devastating he was. At Barcelona, he won the league’s top scorer award and helped secure major trophies. At Inter, injuries limited his consistency, yet he still played a key role in winning European silverware.
On the international front, Ronaldo’s record speaks for itself. In the 2002 World Cup, he carried Brazil with decisive goals and led them to the title. He was also part of Copa America triumphs in 1997 and 1999, proving his worth time and again. Like van Basten, he battled injuries yet still delivered performances that were forged through sheer resilience, showing that the proof is in the pudding when it comes to elite talent.
Other greats followed the same path. Thierry Henry and Gabriel Batistuta earned admiration because their achievements were built on substance. Batistuta’s Fiorentina years are often misunderstood, as league titles were unrealistic, yet he still won top scorer honors and domestic cups, and shone in Europe. With Argentina, he lifted the Copa America and delivered unforgettable performances that fans still remember vividly.
Against that backdrop, comparing today’s high-priced Premier League forwards tells a different story. Players like Gyokeres, Sesko, Ekitike, and Isak still have much to prove. Their club achievements rarely match their fees, and at international level the impact has been limited. Sweden’s struggles, despite expensive stars, highlight that contrast, especially when compared to Erling Haaland, who consistently delivers even with a modest national side.
In the end, BD Cricket Live reminds us that comparisons reveal the truth. Without results, reputations ring hollow, and these modern forwards must work harder to separate the wheat from the chaff and truly convince the football world of their worth.