In football, the difference between success and failure often hinges on the presence of a great striker.
These players, celebrated for their ability to score goals, carry significant price tags because ultimately, goals win games.
Putting the ball into the back of the net is arguably the toughest yet most crucial aspect of football. This is why strikers are considered the most valuable assets in the sport; finding a reliable number nine who consistently scores goals is a rare gem.
While some teams distribute their goals among various players, it’s no coincidence that the best teams typically have prolific strikers leading their attack.
Although playing for a stronger team may provide more opportunities to shoot on goal, converting those chances past the goalkeeper requires skill and finesse—an art mastered by elite forwards.
1. Erling Haaland
Haaland undeniably stands out as the best striker in world football for one simple reason: his unparalleled ability to score goals.
Having all the qualities of a complete centre-forward, Haaland utilizes his imposing physique to hold up play effectively and involve his teammates. With impressive speed and intelligent movement, he excels at running behind defences, dribbling past opponents, and creating opportunities for himself and others.
Most notably, his finishing skills with both feet and head are unmatched.
While he contributes to team build-up by dropping deep to collect the ball and initiate attacks, his major focus remains on scoring goals. His astute movement and lethal finishing form a lethal combination, often leaving defenders trailing in his wake.
Since he arrived in the Premier League, Haaland has taken the football world by storm.
He shattered the league’s single-season scoring record by netting an incredible 36 goals in just 35 appearances during his debut campaign.
Despite facing a brief spell on the sidelines in his second season, he continues to demonstrate his prolific scoring ability leading the Premier League goal chart with 18 goals in 27 games.
2. Harry Kane
Harry Kane epitomizes the ideal striker, consistently delivering around 20 goals per season while also providing double-digit assists and occasionally dropping back into midfield to create space for his teammates.
Renowned for his versatility and completeness as a centre-forward, Kane possesses an impressive array of skills.
He excels in all facets of the game, demonstrating exceptional ball control, tireless work rate, and the ability to contribute defensively when needed.
Kane’s greatest strength lies in his finishing ability.
With impeccable technique and precision, he can strike the ball cleanly with either foot, often finding the corners of the net. Also, his prowess in the air adds another dimension to his goal-scoring prowess, frequently ranking among the top scorers in this regard.
In 2023, Kane made history by becoming England’s all-time leading goal scorer and climbed to second place on the Premier League‘s all-time scoring charts, having netted an impressive 213 goals for Tottenham.
His move to Bayern Munich has proven successful thus far as he seeks to secure his first major trophy, he is currently leading the Bundesliga goal table with 27 goals in 24 games in campaign.
As a leader both on and off the pitch, Kane’s influence extends beyond his goal-scoring exploits, making him a valuable asset to any team he represents.
3. Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappé’s position as a striker is open to debate due to his versatility across the front line, often excelling on the flanks.
However, his explosive speed and lethal finishing make him a constant threat regardless of his positioning.
Mbappé’s game is defined by his incredible pace and clinical finishing, qualities that have been evident since his breakthrough at Monaco at the age of 16, surpassing Thierry Henry’s record as the youngest player in the club’s history.
Comparisons to Henry extend beyond their early career trajectories.
Like the Arsenal legend, Mbappé often drifts to the left, cutting inside to unleash powerful shots with his favoured right foot, frequently capitalizing on turnovers and exploiting space behind opposition defences.
Despite defenders being aware of his tendencies, Mbappé remains a formidable force, often proving unstoppable when in full flow.
Regarded as one of the most unstoppable talents in football, Mbappé’s potential for future Ballon d’Or awards seems almost inevitable, given his remarkable performances, he’s leading the Ligue 1 goal chart with 21 goals in 24 games this season.
Despite his incredible achievements, including a World Cup final hat-trick, his ranking on lists of top players may be influenced by his effectiveness from the left wing rather than his role as a traditional striker.
4. Victor Osimhen
If not for Kylian Mbappé’s remarkable form as a winger, Victor Osimhen would easily secure the third spot behind Harry Kane as one of the most prolific strikers.
The Nigerian international is widely regarded as one of the most valuable assets in the football world.
Osimhen’s breakthrough season came in 2022/23, playing a pivotal role as Napoli clinched their first Serie A title in over three decades.
His remarkable tally of 26 goals and five assists in 32 league appearances played a major role in his team’s success, earning him widespread acclaim.
Currently ranked fifth on the top scorer chart in Serie A, Osimhen has netted 11 goals in 27 appearances this season. As a right-footed centre-forward, he poses a significant threat in the opposition’s penalty area, displaying versatility in scoring goals with both feet and his head.
His strength and impeccable timing of his movements make him particularly dangerous in close-range situations.
His exceptional jumping ability often allows him to outmanoeuvre defenders in aerial duels, where he exhibits power and precision with his headers or redirects whipped crosses towards the goal.
Osimhen’s alertness enables him to capitalize on loose balls and rebounds inside the penalty area, consistently positioning himself to exploit defensive errors.
His strategic positioning often sees him targeting runs towards the space at the back post, utilizing clever off-the-ball movement to evade markers and attack the far post.
With reports of interest from top clubs across Europe, Osimhen’s future promises even greater heights, potentially elevating his status further among the world’s top strikers.
5. Robert Lewandowski
Lewandowski’s contributions to football have sometimes gone overlooked, particularly highlighted by the cancellation of the Ballon d’Or during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, where he was undoubtedly a top contender.
Having dominated the Bundesliga for a decade, Lewandowski made a big move to Barcelona in the summer, seamlessly continuing his impressive goal-scoring form.
Widely hailed as one of the best strikers in the world, Lewandowski is often regarded as one of the greatest centre-forwards of all time.
In La Liga, he currently ranks sixth on the top scorer chart, with 12 goals in 27 games this season.
Known for his clinical finishing with both feet and his head, he has earned the nickname “Lewangoalski” due to his prolific scoring record.
Lewandowski epitomizes the archetype of a complete center-forward, possessing a multitude of essential qualities such as height, strength, balance, pace, intelligent movement, and proficiency with both feet.
While he may not possess the sheer speed of Kylian Mbappé or the unique talents of Erling Haaland, nor can he match Karim Benzema’s facial hair or Harry Kane’s long-range passing ability, Lewandowski’s efficiency and consistency make him a formidable force in his own right.
6. Lautaro Martinez
A fiercely determined Argentine centre-forward, Lautaro Martinez has been a standout performer at Inter Milan for several seasons.
His initial struggles during his debut season at San Siro were overshadowed by uncertainty surrounding Mauro Icardi’s future. However, the arrival of Antonio Conte and Romelu Lukaku revitalized Martinez’s career.
In the 2022/23 campaign, he showcased his prowess by netting an impressive 21 league goals, playing a crucial role in Inter’s title charge, albeit narrowly missing out to city rivals AC Milan.
His agility and versatility, particularly when using his right foot, allow him to control possession effectively even in tight spaces.
Moreover, his astute positioning during transitions and ability to exploit defensive weaknesses make him a potent threat on the counterattack.
By strategically positioning himself around opposing central defenders, Martinez creates opportunities to exploit gaps in the defense, showcasing his intelligence and tactical acumen.
As he enters the prime of his career at 26 years old, Martinez continues to elevate his game, establishing himself as one of the top attackers in the world. Leading the Serie A Golden Boot race with a comfortable margin, Martinez has honed his finishing skills and earned recognition on a global scale.
7. Serhou Guirassy
Serhou Guirassy emerged as a relatively unknown name before the 2023/24 season, but the 27-year-old striker has swiftly caught the attention of Europe’s top clubs.
In the early stages of the campaign, Guirassy made a solid mark by scoring an impressive 8 goals with eight shots on target in his first four Bundesliga games for Stuttgart, a feat unmatched in the club’s history.
Currently, Guirassy is giving established stars like Harry Kane a run for their money in the race for the Bundesliga Golden Boot, with 20 goals in 24 games, averaging more than a goal per game.
Known for his physicality and opportunism, Guirassy has evolved into a lethal predator in the penalty box, showing remarkable efficiency in converting chances.
His remarkable goal-scoring spree has been unprecedented in Germany, with only three more goals needed to match the totals of last season’s top scorers. Guirassy’s prolific form has propelled Stuttgart up the Opta Power Rankings, from 94th to 51st at the start of the season.
Standing out as the top scorer in Europe’s top five leagues, Guirassy’s performances have drawn comparisons with Inter’s Lautaro Martínez, the only other player to have reached double figures in goals at this stage of the season.
With his impressive form attracting attention from elite clubs, a big move may be on the horizon for Serhou Guirassy.
8. Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins has seamlessly transitioned into the role of a natural number nine since his days at Brentford, but it’s under the guidance of Unai Emery that he has truly flourished.
Following his impressive tally of 15 league goals in the 2022/23 season, he has elevated his game further, scoring up 16 goals and providing 10 assists in his first 27 games of the current campaign.
His performances have been instrumental in Aston Villa’s push towards the top four positions in the Premier League.
If Emery’s side secures a Champions League spot by the end of the season, Watkins is likely to be in contention for Player of the Season accolades. What sets Watkins apart as the best striker in the world is not just his goal-scoring prowess but also his adeptness in creating chances for his teammates.
Renowned for his finishing, dribbling, penalty-taking, and heading abilities, Watkins showcases exceptional movement off the ball and consistently applies pressure on opposition goalkeepers, forcing them into errors.
His versatility also makes him a viable alternative for Gareth Southgate’s England squad. While Watkins may not displace Harry Kane as the starting striker for the European Championships, his performances certainly warrant consideration.
Although it’s unlikely that Watkins will start ahead of Kane, he offers a different dynamic to England’s frontline, providing a transitional option if needed.
With his impressive displays, Watkins continues to prove that he’s more than capable of leading the line for his country.
9. Dusan Vlahovic
Since joining Juventus from Fiorentina in 2022, Vlahović has emerged as a striker on the rise, tallying an impressive 35 goals for the Old Lady and contributing to the team’s resurgence.
Vlahović is renowned for his well-rounded attacking prowess, combining physical strength, technical ability, and natural scoring instincts.
However, despite his capabilities with the ball at his feet, Vlahović has faced challenges in fully realizing his potential at Juventus. Often isolated within Allegri’s tactical setup, he lacks consistent playing time and struggles to form partnerships with his teammates.
The disjointedness and lack of chemistry in Juventus’ attack, compounded by Allegri’s defensive approach, hinder Vlahović’s ability to thrive.
Primarily a striker who excels in drawing fouls, holding up play, and using his physical presence effectively, Vlahović performs best when paired with another striker, such as Álvaro Morata, to create opportunities.
His preferred role is as a central striker in a 4-3-3 formation, allowing him to focus solely on scoring goals and exploiting spaces in the box or attempting shots from distance.
Furthermore, Vlahović demonstrates proficiency in collecting the ball in various areas of the pitch, including central zones and the inside channels, where he adeptly retains possession and initiates attacking moves for his team.
10. Lois Openda
RB Leipzig continues its tradition of developing top-tier strikers, with the emergence of a promising young forward adding to their legacy.
Hailing from Belgium, this talented striker was acquired by RB Leipzig from Lens in 2023, following an impressive season where he contributed to Lens’ second-place finish in Ligue 1 with 21 goals.
Upon his arrival, he wasted no time making an impact, netting 9 goals in his first 11 games for his new club.
Throughout his tenure, he has consistently exceeded expectations, currently boasting 17 goals in 24 Bundesliga games this season.
A versatile player, Openda can operate as a lone centre-forward or as part of a striking duo. His inclination to drift wide, particularly to either wing, creates ample space for his strike partner and advancing midfielders.
Despite his relatively low assist tally, Openda actively seeks to create opportunities for his teammates, often utilizing his dribbling skills to drive down the wing or delivering pinpoint crosses from the left flank.
Despite standing at less than six feet tall, Openda poses a significant threat in the air, having scored numerous headed goals throughout his career. His intelligent movement allows him to find pockets of space within the box, enabling him to capitalize on aerial opportunities.
With his performances attracting interest from top clubs, his potential for further development suggests he could soon establish himself among the elite strikers in the world.
Other Best Strikers In 2024
- Lois Openda
- Alexander Isak
- Victor Boniface
- Darwin Nunez
- Karim Benzema
- Olivier Giroud
- Viktor Gyokeres
- Artem Dovbyk
- Rasmus Hojlund
- Santiago Gimenez
- Kolo Muani
- Ivan Toney
- Cristiano Ronaldo
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