From the “Yellow Wall” echoing your name to lethal finishes inside the box — Borussia Dortmund has been blessed with forwards who struck fear, scored goals, and became legends. In this article, HollaBall will take you on a tour through the ages, from post-war icons to modern superstars, to discover the best Borussia Dortmund strikers of all time — the ones whose numbers, moments, and mythos deserve eternal praise.
Why A “Best Striker” List Matters
In a club so rich in attacking traditions, naming the top striking legends is never easy. For Dortmund fans, the goalscorer is more than just a numbers man — he is the heartbeat, the match-winner, the one who writes history in netted threads. To pick the best Borussia Dortmund strikers of all time, we must balance:
- Totals: league and all-competition goals
- Efficiency: goals per match
- Longevity & loyalty
- Big moments: match-winners, derbies, European nights
- Legacy: how fans remember them
With those criteria, we arrive at a cast of icons — some household names, some whispered in reverence by old-school fans.
Hall of Fame Strikers: The Legends
Below are the top strikers who defined different eras at Dortmund, each for their own reasons.
1. Alfred “Adi” Preißler
- Career at Dortmund: two stints (1950s)
- Goals: 177 (in around 274 games) — still the club’s all-time highest for many sources
- Legacy: Classic 1950s goal-machine with pace, directness, and consistency.
Preißler remains the benchmark: his tally has endured across eras. His poise, heading threat, and finishing made him the prototypical center forward of his generation.
2. Manfred Burgsmüller
- Peak: late 1970s into the 1980s
- Bundesliga goals for Dortmund: 135 (from open play + penalties)
- Role: Strong in both the box and transitional play
In terms of pure Bundesliga scoring, Burgsmüller is often cited at or near the top. His flexibility (playing up front, sometimes secondary striker) and scoring prowess secured his legend.
3. Stéphane Chapuisat
- Years at Dortmund: 1991–1999
- Bundesliga goals: about 102 (some sources list more including other competitions)
- Traits: Technical, smart, often underrated
Chapuisat thrived in an era when Dortmund was becoming a European force. Not the pureest “striker” in all seasons (could drift wide), but decisive, consistent, and beloved by BVB faithful.
4. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
- Dortmund years: 2013–2018
- Bundesliga goals: ~98 (for Dortmund)
- Strengths: explosive pace, counter attacks, finishing
Auba combined athleticism, swagger, and scoreboard terror. In many ways, he brought Dortmund’s attack into the modern age — with goals, flair, and walk-on confidence.
5. Robert Lewandowski
- Dortmund years: 2010–2014
- Bundesliga goals: 74 (for Dortmund)
- Why: clinical finisher who broke through under Klopp
Lewandowski remains one of the best pure No.9s in modern football. At Dortmund, he matured into a lethal predator, often decisive in Europe and crucial matches.
6. Erling Haaland
- Dortmund years: 2020–2022
- Goals: 62 (Bundesliga) in short time span (very high efficiency)
- Highlights: record pace, goal explosion
Haaland’s strike rate borders on surreal. While his Dortmund spell was brief compared to others, he made the most of it — turning every match into a highlight reel and leaving defenders paralyzed.
7. Jan Koller
- Dortmund years: early 2000s (2001–2006)
- Goals: ~59 in Bundesliga
- Style: Towering, air dominance, physical presence
When you think “scoring aerial power,” you think Koller. He wasn’t as prolific.
Comparing Across Eras: Who Edges Ahead?
| Name | Approx Bundesliga Goals for Dortmund | Era / Years | Notable Traits |
| Alfred Preißler | ~177 | 1950s | All-time top, durable, classic striker |
| Manfred Burgsmüller | ~135 | 1970s–80s | Bundesliga consistent scorer |
| Stéphane Chapuisat | ~100+ | 1990s | Technical, all-round attacker |
| Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | ~98 | 2013–2018 | Speed + finishing |
| Robert Lewandowski | ~74 | 2010–2014 | Scoring instincts, clutch goals |
| Erling Haaland | ~62 (in limited time) | 2020–2022 | Efficiency, explosion |
| Jan Koller | ~59 | Early 2000s | Physical, dominant in air |
This table helps show context: Preißler wins on volume and longevity; Haaland wins on rate and wow factor; Aubameyang and Lewandowski bridge eras of tradition into modern football.
In fan debates, you’ll often see three pairs dominate:
- Preißler vs Burgsmüller for traditional era supremacy
- Auba vs Lewa in the modern transition era
- Lewandowski vs Haaland for “best modern striker for Dortmund”
Each comparison depends on what you value: raw totals, style, moment impact, or the emotional memory of fans.
Honorable Mentions And Dark Horses
- Alexander Frei: efficient and lethal during his relatively short spell
- Lucas Barrios: rugged, consistent, especially in seasons of transition
- Timo Konietzka: scored the first Bundesliga goal for Dortmund
- Heiko Herrlich: had strong spells despite less consistency
- Ewerthon: a nimble and effective winger-striker hybrid
These names might not outrank the legends above, but in certain seasons they lit up the Ruhr or turned matches with inspired moments. Especially for fans of specific eras, they still hold emotional weight.
Why They Matter Beyond Numbers
What turns a good striker into an all-time legend at Dortmund isn’t just goals — it’s moments. The header that wins a title. The goal in a European tie. The roar of the Yellow Wall as a striker rounds off a counter. Aubameyang’s derby goals, Haaland’s explosive bursts, Chapuisat’s consistency, Preißler’s decades-surviving record — those stories echo beyond the stat sheets.
Also, in football memory, loyalty counts. Some strikers stayed to lead, others left and became rivals. The ones fans forgive are those who scored when it mattered.
Final Thoughts
Best Borussia Dortmund strikers of all time is never a list set in stone — it’s a living debate. But for HollaBall those names above — Preißler, Burgsmüller, Chapuisat, Aubameyang, Lewandowski, Haaland, Koller — form the bedrock of that argument, each bringing something distinct and unforgettable to the black and yellow.
Now it’s your turn: Who is your greatest Dortmund striker? Drop your pick, your memories, and let’s keep the legend alive.
