The role of the striker has evolved dramatically in modern football. No longer defined purely by goals, today’s best forwards are expected to contribute to build-up play, press from the front, create chances for teammates, and lead their teams in every phase of attack. From traditional number nines who dominate inside the box to versatile forwards who drift wide, drop deep, and link play, the modern striker is more complete and more influential than ever before.
Like our list of the best right backs, we are ranking the ten best strikers in the world right now based on form, output, consistency, and overall impact at the highest level in the 2025/26 season. While some are pure goalscoring machines operating at record-breaking levels, others offer creativity, versatility, and all-round influence that redefine what it means to lead the line. Together, they represent the very top of world football in one of the game’s most demanding positions.
10. Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins has humble beginnings, coming through Exeter City’s academy ranks before earning a move to Brentford and eventually becoming a European Champion with Aston Villa. 221 appearances and 91 goals later, Watkins is Villa’s all-time leading Premier League goalscorer and all-time top European goalscorer.
What makes Watkins one of the world’s elite strikers is that his game extends far beyond goalscoring. While his movement in behind, intelligent positioning and clinical finishing make him a constant threat in the penalty area, his all-round play is arguably just as impressive. He won the Premier League Playmaker of the season in 2023/24 after notching 15 assists, as well as 19 goals.
Watkins is one of the most complete centre-forwards in the Premier League, capable of linking play, pressing relentlessly from the front and creating chances for his teammates. Another key factor behind his success is his remarkable durability. Since joining Aston Villa in 2020, Watkins has missed just seven Premier League matches out of a possible 221. In an era where injuries regularly sideline even the game’s biggest stars, Villa have been able to rely on one of the best strikers in the world virtually every week.
| Appearances | 55 |
| Goals | 21 |
| Assists | 5 |
9. Igor Thiago
Igor Thiago had a nightmare start to life in England. The Brazilian signed for Brentford for a club record £30m in July 2024, but missed most of the season after tearing his meniscus in pre-season. However, Thiago responded emphatically. Fully fit for the 2025/26 campaign, he emerged as one of the Premier League’s most dangerous forwards.
Standing at 6’3″, Thiago possesses all the attributes of a traditional number nine. He is dominant in the air, powerful with his back to goal and a constant threat inside the penalty area. Thiago is just as comfortable dropping deep to link play, carrying the ball into dangerous areas and creating space for teammates with intelligent movement.
After overcoming the setback of his debut season, the Brazilian has established himself as the focal point of one of the Premier League’s most exciting attacks. He finished the 25/26 season as the second-top scorer in the league with 22 goals. That form earned him a call-up to Brazil’s World Cup squad, where he is expected to lead the line for Seleção. Still only entering his prime years, Thiago looks set to remain among the best strikers in the world for years to come.
| Appearances | 40 |
| Goals | 25 |
| Assists | 1 |
8. Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen has been one of the world’s most prolific goalscorers for several years now. He first broke out in France’s Ligue 1 before lighting up Serie A with Napoli. After firing Napoli to their first Scudetto title in over three decades, the Nigerian took his goalscoring exploits to Galatasaray, where he has enjoyed two outstanding campaigns. Osimhen has 41 goals in 52 games in the Turkish Süper Lig.
Osimhen is the complete number nine. He possesses elite pace, immense strength and exceptional aerial ability, making him a nightmare matchup for defenders. Whether attacking crosses, running in behind or creating chances through sheer determination, few forwards are as difficult to contain. He will be one of the best players not involved in the World Cup this year. Nigeria failed to qualify, meaning there is one less superstar going for the golden boot, something to consider if you are betting on the World Cup.
His aggressive pressing and relentless work rate only add to his value, while his consistency in front of goal has seen him remain among Europe’s most feared number nines. With over 150 senior career goals before turning 28, Osimhen has firmly established himself as one of the best strikers in the world right now.
| Appearances | 33 |
| Goals | 22 |
| Assists | 8 |
7. Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski has defied his years and is still one of the most consistent strikers in world football at 37. While many forwards see their output decline in their mid-thirties, the Polish international continues to score at an elite level for Barcelona, adding yet another chapter to a career that has already cemented his place among the greatest number nines of all time.
Few strikers in football history can match Lewandowski’s goalscoring record. Across spells with Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona, he has scored well over 700 senior career goals while winning league titles in Germany and Spain. His trophy haul includes multiple Bundesliga crowns, a Champions League title and countless individual awards.
What has always set Lewandowski apart is his complete skill set. He combines elite finishing with intelligent movement, outstanding positioning, and exceptional technical ability. Equally capable of scoring tap-ins, long-range efforts, headers and spectacular volleys, there are few weaknesses in his game. He wrapped up his time with Barcelona at the end of this season, netting 14 league goals in a title-winning season. Lewandowski is not just one of the best strikers in the world, but one of the greatest of all time.
| Appearances | 46 |
| Goals | 19 |
| Assists | 4 |
6. Lautaro Martínez
Lautaro Martínez has developed into one of the most complete forwards in world football. Since joining Inter from Racing Club in 2018, the Argentine has won multiple Serie A titles, established himself as club captain and become one of the Nerazzurri’s greatest-ever goalscorers. Martinez also spearheads the Argentina frontline and averages nearly a goal every other game with 36 in 75 appearances.
Despite standing at just 5’9″, Martínez is a remarkably physical striker. He combines explosive acceleration, intelligent movement and relentless aggression with outstanding technical ability. Equally capable of scoring with either foot or his head, he is a constant threat both inside and outside the penalty area. He finished this season as Serie A’s leading scorer with 17 goals and took home the Serie A Best Striker award.
What truly separates Martínez from many elite goalscorers is his work without the ball. His pressing intensity, link-up play and willingness to sacrifice himself for the team make him the perfect modern centre-forward. Having also won the World Cup and two Copa América titles with Argentina, Martínez has proven himself at every level of the game and remains one of the best strikers in the world.
| Appearances | 41 |
| Goals | 22 |
| Assists | 6 |
5. Julian Alvarez
From one Argentinian to the next, Julian Alvarez’s has reinvented himself as one of the best strikers in the world since leaving Manchester City. After often playing a supporting role to Erling Haaland at the Etihad, Álvarez became the star man following his move to Atlético Madrid. He has thrived under Diego Simeone and has developed into one of Europe’s most complete forwards, capable of playing in several positions.
Unlike many elite strikers, Álvarez does not rely on overwhelming physicality. Instead, he uses intelligent movement, exceptional technical ability and an incredible work rate to influence games. Comfortable as a centre-forward, attacking midfielder or winger, his versatility allows him to impact matches in a variety of ways.
What makes Álvarez so dangerous is his all-round game. He can score from inside the box, create chances for teammates and lead the press with relentless intensity. Few forwards work harder off the ball, while his composure in front of goal ensures he remains a consistent source of goals. Already a World Cup winner, two-time Copa América champion, and Champions League winner before entering his prime years, Álvarez boasts a trophy cabinet most players can only dream of.
| Appearances | 48 |
| Goals | 20 |
| Assists | 9 |
4. Ousmane Dembele
Ousmane Dembele has come a long way. Once considered one of the worst soccer signings in history, the Frenchman is now a Ballon d’Or-winning two-time Champions League medallist. His evolution from an inconsistent and overpriced winger to one of the best strikers in the world has been a joy to watch since he joined Paris St-Germain from Barcelona in 2023.
Unlike a traditional striker, Dembele is impossible to mark because he can go either way with equal confidence. Comfortable on both feet and blessed with elite creativity, he is just as capable of creating goals as he is of scoring them. His movement, technical quality and ability to produce moments of magic from nothing make him one of the most unique forwards in world football. He played a starring role in back-to-back Champions League-winning campaigns for PSG.
Having finally put his injury troubles behind him, Dembélé has reached the level many expected when he first burst onto the scene at Rennes and Borussia Dortmund. A Ballon d’Or win could potentially become two at the end of 2026, according to soccer betting markets. Regardless, there is no doubt that Dembele is one of the best players in the world at centre-forward.
| Appearances | 40 |
| Goals | 20 |
| Assists | 11 |
3. Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe has been a thorn in the side of Europe’s most elite defenders since he was a teenager. The 27-year-old was immediately recognised as one of the most promising talents in the world when he burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old at Monaco. To say he has fulfilled that promise would be an understatement.
After dominating French football with Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappé took his talents to Real Madrid, where he continued his remarkable goalscoring exploits. Already a World Cup winner and one of the highest scorers in Champions League history, he has spent the best part of a decade operating at a level few players can match.
What makes Mbappe so devastating is his combination of speed and finishing. Even in an era filled with elite athletes, his acceleration remains unmatched. Defenders know exactly what he wants to do, yet very few can stop him. Whether attacking space in behind, cutting inside from the left or finishing one-on-one, Mbappe is lethal in almost every attacking situation.
As his career has progressed, he has evolved from a pace-dependent winger into a complete centre-forward. His movement, decision-making and goalscoring instincts have improved year after year, allowing him to become one of football’s most reliable match-winners. Still firmly in his prime, Mbappe remains one of the best strikers in the world right now.
| Appearances | 44 |
| Goals | 42 |
| Assists | 7 |
2. Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland is the quintessential number nine. Like Mbappe, the Norwegian was a teenage sensation and quickly grew into a world-beating superstar. After tearing apart defences in Austria and Germany, he took the Premier League by storm with Manchester City, breaking goalscoring records at a rate never before seen in English football.
At 6’4″, Haaland possesses a rare blend of size, strength and speed. Defenders struggle to match him physically, yet he is also quick enough to exploit space behind. His movement inside the penalty area is arguably the best in world football, allowing him to find goalscoring opportunities that others simply wouldn’t anticipate.
While his goalscoring record naturally grabs the headlines, Haaland’s all-round game has continued to develop. He has become more involved in City’s build-up play, improved his link-up ability and remains one of the most relentless runners in world football. Even when he appears quiet, he only needs a single chance to change a game. He is the type of striker who could settle into any era of football and notch 30+ goal seasons.
Still only in his mid-twenties, Haaland has already won multiple Premier League titles, the Champions League, and a host of individual honours. With well over 200 career league goals and his best years still ahead of him, he has every chance of becoming one of the greatest strikers football has ever seen when all is said and done.
| Appearances | 52 |
| Goals | 38 |
| Assists | 9 |
1. Harry Kane
Unlike the previous two entries, Harry Kane was a late bloomer. However, the English forward took his opportunity and ran with it while at Spurs. There, he had already cemented his status as one of the most complete strikers in world football. After a move to Bayern two summers ago, he established himself as the best striker in the world.
Kane is far more than just a goalscorer. While his finishing inside the box is elite, what truly sets him apart is his movement. Dropping deep to link midfield and attack, he consistently creates chances for teammates with pinpoint passing, vision and intelligence that is rare for a centre-forward. In fact, he is so good at that that it probably overshadows just how lethal a finisher he is, too.
Kane is an aerial threat at 6’2”, has a wand of a right foot that can find the net from 30 yards out, and elite intelligence, which makes him a fox in the box. His ability to adapt to any type of chance makes him one of the most complete forwards the game has ever seen. That blends into international football too. Kane is England’s record goalscorer with 78 goals in 112 appearances. World Cup predictions have England among the favourites to lift the trophy this summer.
Since leaving the Premier League, Kane has continued his relentless consistency in Germany, adding league titles, individual scoring awards, and further reinforcing his reputation as an elite all-round striker. With over 400 career goals and still performing at the highest level, he remains the benchmark for modern number nines. Harry Kane comfortably tops the list of the best strikers in the world.
| Appearances | 51 |
| Goals | 61 |
| Assists | 7 |
