Modern-day football has been the ideal stage for the emergence and consolidation of some amazing strikers.
Even though the golden era of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi is now a thing of the past, soccer fans can rest assured that the game will be in very good (and young) hands in the future.
In fact, several of the strikers on the list we’ve brought you today have already broken records at a young age, which further enhances the value of their achievements.
Of course, football is very much a matter of personal preferences, and each person has their own way of seeing things.
For those who dream of becoming great strikers, football camps are an excellent way to start on that path.
These camps offer specialised training, where young players can develop key skills such as ball control, finishing in front of goal, and game-reading abilities.
Additionally, in a team environment, players can learn to take on a strategic role—essential for any successful striker.
So, having said all this, we’re now going to bring you our list of the 10 best strikers in football today, analyzing their main qualities, the influence they have on their clubs and national teams, and an overall assessment of their careers to date.
10. Julián Álvarez
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This Argentine forward began to make a name for himself in soccer during his time at River Plate, a club where, on one occasion, he scored 6 goals in a single match of the Copa Libertadores against Alianza Lima.
Due to his excellent form, Manchester City noticed him and signed him for 21 million euros.
In his first season for them, Álvarez played a secondary role in winning the UEFA Champions League 2022/2023 – a dream season for Pep Guardiola’s team.
However, it was at the World Cup in Qatar 2022 that he really caught the eye. Álvarez scored four very important goals for the Argentine national team, including one against Croatia after a great individual run.
Currently, the ‘Spider’, as he is often called, is playing for Atlético de Madrid, who paid nearly 100 million euros for his services.
His explosive runs, goal-scoring ability, and excellent shooting with both feet are qualities that brought him into the world of elite soccer at a very young age.
In addition to all these qualities, Álvarez plays well under pressure, which helps him perform at his best in the most important matches and tournaments.
9. Cristiano Ronaldo
The iconic Portuguese striker is still one of the world’s greatest players at the age of 39.
In September 2024, he reached the milestone of 900 goals in professional soccer, showing that he is still a force to be reckoned with in top-level football.
After his brilliant career at Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, the striker from Madeira has made an impact in Saudi Arabian football, with some excellent personal performances.
Since his arrival in Arabia in 2023, the forward has scored 72 goals with his club (as of October 2023). Currently, the footballing world is waiting to see if Ronaldo will be able to compete in the next World Cup, when he will be 41 years old. Things seem to be heading that way!
8. Mohamed Salah, one of the best strikers in football
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The Egyptian winger remains one of the great players in the Premier League, regarded by many as the most competitive league in the world.
Despite not being at his highest level, Mohamed Salah continues to play a big part in Liverpool’s attacking play.
His dribbling and excellent left foot make him a very dangerous player in the last third of the pitch.
In addition to being a great finisher in one-on-one situations with the keeper, Salah is also capable of helping out his teammates in a midfield role.
In the first 9 games of the 2024/25 season, Salah has six goals and five assists, and is the spearhead of Liverpool’s attack under new manager Arne Slot.
7. Lamine Yamal
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This amazing teenager from FC Barcelona takes the seventh spot on our list. After an incredible performance at the Euros in 2024, Lamine has established himself as one of the best players in the world at just 17 years of age.
In addition to his great speed and excellent dribbling, Yamal has proven to be a playmaker and game-builder.
Positioned on the right side of the field, Yamal has become hard to handle for left-backs due to his great repertoire of tricks on the pitch.
Yamal has scored 5 goals and provided 6 assists in Barcelona’s first eleven matches this season. The most exciting part is that he still has plenty of time to improve.
The magazine France Football has already included him in its list of 30 candidates for the Ballon d’Or, showing his great potential and current form. Yamal was the youngest player to:
- Score a league goal with F.C. Barcelona
- Score a goal for Spain in an official match
- Score a goal in Euro 2024
- Be champion of the Euros with Spain
6. Robert Lewandowski: still one of the best strikers in soccer
The Polish forward has established himself as the top figure in the F.C. Barcelona forward line, delighting fans in Catalonia and around the world with his goals.
At 36 years of age, Lewandowski remains a force to be reckoned with, and with the appointment of Hansi Flick at Barcelona, he seems to be experiencing a revival.
Lewandowski’s main weapon is his ability to finish off a move inside the box. He is lethal with both feet and with his head, and is a constant threat to defenders.
Lewandowski can shoot well from outside the box and is also capable of setting up his teammates by playing as a pivot.
5. Lautaro Martínez
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Fifth place goes to another world champion, Lautaro Martínez (“El Toro”), who had an amazing season last year.
The Inter Milan captain scored 26 goals, and was key to their triumphs in Serie A and the Coppa Italia. Martínez was also the top scorer in the 2024 Copa América with 5 goals, scoring a goal in extra time in the final against Colombia.
Because of all his achievements, Lautaro is a serious contender for the Ballon d’Or.
Martínez is a very accurate striker inside the box. He is very resourceful in his finishing, and is very clever in losing his marker and confusing opposing defenders.
Without a doubt, he’s at the top of his game and is one of the best strikers in soccer at the moment.
4. Harry Kane
Although the English striker hasn’t been able to free himself from the curse of never being able to win a single title in his career, it’s undeniable that he has been one of the best strikers in the world in recent years.
His arrival at Bayern Munich last year marked a leap in his career, after having spent much of it at Tottenham.
Last season, Kane scored 36 goals and provided 8 assists. Additionally, he was a key player in England’s campaign in the last Euro Cup, where they were runners-up.
Despite having lost a bit of speed over the years, Kane is still a very complete forward capable of playing both outside and inside the opponent’s area.
A modern forward who can create goal-scoring opportunities with direct shots or assists to his teammates – a clear example for young strikers in football academies.
3. Erling Haaland, one of the best number 9s in the world
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Haaland has burst onto the world soccer scene with his incredible goalscoring ability with his clubs and his national team, Norway.
An undisputed star at Manchester City in the last two seasons, Haaland continues to amaze the football world with his incredible physical condition and ability to finish off moves.
He has an unquestionable goal-scoring instinct. He is adept at finding the best scoring positions to take advantage of crosses, ricochets off the goalkeeper, and any situation that may create a chance to score.
A master at the most effective tactical football moves, his ability to read diagonals into space, execute precise one-twos with the midfielders, take advantage of set pieces, lead quick counterattacks, and work on the edge of the box are what makes him such a complete striker who dominates all aspects of the attacking game.
In open play, the Norwegian has blistering speed that makes him an invaluable resource for counterattacks.
2. Vinícius Jr.
After having been criticized in the early years of his career, Vinícius Jr. has become one of the most versatile and effective forwards in the world.
The top candidate for the Ballon d’Or 2023-2024 (although he was eventually beaten into second place by Rodri), Vini was key for Real Madrid in the previous season in which the “merengue” club won La Liga, the Spanish Supercup, and the UEFA Champions League.
With an impressive performance against Bayern in the semifinals and a goal in the final against Borussia Dortmund, the Brazilian etched his name into today’s soccer elite.
In addition, he has proven to be equally efficient in different football formations, closer to the wing or swapping roles with other more centralized players in attack.
His lightning speed and dribbling ability make him the best winger in the world today. In addition to his goals, he creates numerous scoring opportunities in every match thanks to his relentless runs down the flank.
1. Kylian Mbappé
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We couldn’t give the number one spot to anyone other than Kylian Mbappé. The French footballer has performed at an exceptionally high level in the last few seasons with PSG and France.
With amazing performances like in the 2022 World Cup final, Mbappé has reaffirmed his status as the best striker in the world on multiple occasions, relying on his ample skill and resources, such as his:
- Explosiveness
- Unpredictable dribbling
- Excellent decision-making
- Finishing
- Reading of the game
- Impressive shooting
Mbappé is one of the fastest and most skillful players in the world. Moreover, he knows how to combine both qualities with his superb finishing ability and excellent shooting.
At the same time, Mbappé has proven to be a great leader on the field and doesn’t crack under pressure.
With his arrival at Real Madrid, Kylian has the chance to boost his status from a great forward to a football legend, although he will have some tough competition in the coming years.
Tasnim News Agency, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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