Who are the top 25 best strikers in the world?

The best strikers in the world prove their value every time they step on the pitch.

Beyond scoring goals, forwards also contribute to the defensive aspect of football by holding the ball and creating chances. Here are some of the most talented and the world's best strikers.

The best strikers in the world have scored over 25 goals per season for their club and international teams. They have the power to change the outcome of a match when in possession of the ball or create chances.

Who are the best strikers in the world?

The iconic contributions of the strikers remain significant to football history. These are some of the best strikers in the world ever. They are ranked by the number of goals scored.

25. Rasmus Hojlund - Manchester United

Full name: Rasmus Winther Højlund

Date of birth: 4 February 2003

Age: 20 years old (as of 2023)

Place of birth: Copenhagen, Denmark

Club: Manchester United

Appearances: 101

Goals: 32

Rasmus Højlund plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the Denmark national team. Rasmus played international football for Denmark from under-16 and under-21. He was signed from Atlanta to Manchester United for a fee of £72 million.

24. Santiago Gimenez - Eredivisie

Full name: Santiago Tomás Giménez

Date of birth: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Place of birth: 18 April 2001

Age: 22 years old (as of 2023)

Club: Eredivisie

Appearances: 165

Goals: 59

Santiago Gimenez is a striker for the Eredivisie club and Mexico national team. He played for the Mexico under-15, under-18, under-20 and under-23 teams.

23. Phil Foden - Manchester City

Full name: Philip Walter Foden

Date of birth: 28 May 2000

Age: 23 years old (as of 2023)

Place of birth: Stockport, England

Club: Manchester City

Appearances: 235

Goals: 65

Phil Foden primarily plays as an attacking midfielder and is widely regarded as one of the best young strikers in the world of football. Phil Foden has already made over 100 appearances for Manchester City and has won several trophies, including two Premier League titles and an FA Cup.

22. Dominic Calvert-Lewin - Everton

Full name: Dominic Nathaniel Calvert-Lewin

Date of birth: 16 March 1997

Age: 26 years old (as of 2023)

Place of birth: Sheffield, England

Club: Everton

Appearances: 263

Goals: 78

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is known for his aerial ability, strength, and work rate. He has been a regular starter for Everton since 2016. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored over 40 goals for the club. Dominic has also represented his country internationally, debuting for the England national team in 2020.

21. Darwin Núñez - Liverpool

Full name: Darwin Gabriel Núñez Ribeiro

Date of birth: 24 June 1999

Age: 24 years old (as of 2023)

Place of birth: Artigas, Uruguay

Club: Liverpool

Appearances: 198

Goals: 90

Darwin Núñez is a right-footed player with an athletic frame and excellent acceleration. His sprinting speed is the defining feature of his athletic abilities. Darwin Núñez excels at attacking open spaces and creating shots in various situations.

20. Victor Osimhen - Napoli

Full name: Victor James Osimhen

Date of birth: 29 December 1998

Age: 24 years old (as of 2023)

Place of birth: Lagos, Nigeria

Club: Napoli

Appearances: 201

Goals: 103

Victor has earned recognition as one of the premier strikers globally and is widely regarded as one of the top players in the world. Renowned for his exceptional finishing, speed, strength, and athleticism, he achieved the impressive rank of 8th in the 2023 Ballon d'Or awards held in Paris, France. Notably, Victor Osimhen made history by becoming the first Nigerian to secure a position in the prestigious top ten of the Ballon d'Or.

19. Diogo Jota - Liverpool

Full name: Diogo José Teixeira da Silva

Date of birth: 4 December 1996

Age: 26 years old (as of 2023)

Place of birth: Porto, Portugal

Club: Liverpool

Appearances: 342

Goals: 117

Diogo Jota is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for the Premier League club Liverpool and the Portugal national team. He mainly plays as a forward and can also operate as a winger. Diogo Jota began his career at the Porto academy and played for Pacos de Ferreira, Atlético Madrid, Wolves and Liverpool.

18. Simy Nwankwo - Benevento

Full name: Simeon Tochukwu Nwankwo

Date of birth: 7 May 1992

Age: 31 years old (as of 2023)

Place of birth: Onitsha, Nigeria

Club: Benevento

Appearances: 377

Goals: 118

Simy Nwankwo is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Benevento on loan from Salernitana. He began his career with FC Ifeanyi Ubah and has since featured for several clubs, including Gil Vicente, Crotone, and Portimonense. Simy Nwankwo is known for his prolific goal-scoring ability and has scored over 100 goals in his career.

17. Gabriel Jesus - Arsenal

Full name: Gabriel Fernando de Jesus

Date of birth: 3 April 1997

Age: 26 years old (as of 2023)

Place of birth: São Paulo, Brazil

Club: Arsenal

Appearances: 363

Goals: 138

Gabriel Jesus is a talented and versatile forward who can play in various attacking positions. Gabriel Jesus is well-known for his quickness, technical abilities, dribbling ability, creativity, finishing, movement, and work ethic.

16. Ollie Watkins - Aston Villa

Full name: Ollie Watkins

Date of birth: 30 December 1995

Age: 27 years old (as of 2023)

Place of birth: Newton Abbot, England

Club: Aston Villa

Appearances: 381

Goals: 139

Ollie Watkins is an English professional footballer who currently plays as a forward for Premier League club Aston Villa and the England national team. Ollie Watkins began his career at Exeter City. He has represented England at various youth levels.

15. Andre Silva - Real Sociedad

Full name: André Miguel Valente da Silva

Date of birth: 5 November 1995

Age: 28 years old (as of 2023)

Place of birth: Baguim do Monte, Portugal

Club: Real Sociedad

Appearances: 391

Goals: 140

Andre Silva is a professional soccer player who has played for Porto and AC Milan. He is known for his pace, agility, and ability to score goals, which have made him one of the most sought-after strikers in the world.

He has won several awards and trophies over his career. In 2023, Andre Silva moved to the Spanish top-tier club Real Sociedad on a season-long loan with an option to buy

14. Lautaro Martínez - Inter Milan

Full name: Lautaro Javier Martínez

Date of birth: 22 August 1997

Age: 26 years old (as of 2023)

Place of birth: Bahía Blanca, Argentina

Club: Inter Milan

Appearances: 312

Goals: 142

Lautaro Martínez is a professional soccer player who plays for Inter Milan in Serie A. He began his professional career in his homeland with Racing Club before transferring to Inter in 2018. Since then, Lautaro Martínez has become an integral part of the team, scoring important goals and becoming a fan favourite. He is known for his pace, agility, and ability to find the back of the net.

13. Luis Muriel - Atalanta

Full name: Luis Fernando Muriel Fruto

Date of birth: 15 April 1991

Age: 32 years old (as of 2023)

Place of birth: Santo Tomas, Colombia

Club: Atalanta

Appearances: 454

Goals: 145

Muriel represented Colombia at the U20 level in the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Although Luis Muriel is usually deployed as a centre-forward, he is a versatile forward who can play in various offensive positions.

12. Gerard Moreno - Villarreal

Full name: Gerard Moreno Balagueró

Date of birth: 7 April 1992

Age: 31 years old (as of 2023)

Place of birth: Santa Perpètua, Spain

Club: Villarreal

Appearances: 471

Goals: 212

Gerard Moreno made his reserve debut, coming on as a late substitute. Gerard Moren has played for Villarreal, Mallorca, and Espanyol, where he won the 2021 Europa League and two Zarra Trophies.

11. Erling Haaland - Manchester City

Full name: Erling Braut Haaland

Date of birth: 21 July 2000

Age: 23 years old (as of 2023)

Place of birth: Leeds, West Yorkshire, England

Club: Manchester City

Appearances: 271

Goals: 224

Erling Haaland is one of the best young strikers in the world. He began his career at his hometown club, Bryne, at five. He has established himself as one of the top strikers in the world, scoring an incredible 188 goals. Erling Haaland is known for his power, speed, and ability to score from any angle or distance.

10. Alexandre Lacazette - Lyon

Full name: Alexandre Armand Lacazette

Date of birth: 28 May 1991

Age: 32 years old (as of 2023)

Place of birth: Lyon, France

Club: Lyon

Appearances: 539

Goals: 240

Alexandre Lacazette plays as striker for Ligue 1 club Lyon. He returned to Lyon after signing a three-year contract with the club. He ended as the tournament's joint-best scorer with five goals, earning him the FIFA U-20 World Cup Bronze Shoe in 2011.

9. Kylian Mbappe - Paris Saint-Germain

Full name: Kylian Mbappé Lottin

Date of birth: 20 December 1998

Age: 24 years old (as of 2023)

Place of birth: Paris, France

Club: Paris Saint-Germain

Appearances: 347

Goals: 258

Kylian Mbappe is a world-class player known for his dribbling abilities, exceptional speed, and finishing. In 2018 and 2019, Kylian Mbappe was named to the FIFA FIFPro World11. Because of his ability with both feet, he frequently plays as a winger.

8. Harry Kane - Bayern Munich

Full name: Harry Edward Kane

Date of birth: 28 July 1993

Age: 30 years old (as of 2023)

Place of birth: Walthamstow, London, England

Club: Bayern Munich

Appearances: 485

Goals: 284

Harry is a professional footballer from England who captains the national team. Harry Kane is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in football. He is also one of the highest Premier League goalscorers of all time.

7. Romelu Lukaku - Roma

Full name: Romelu Lukaku Bolingoli

Date of birth: 13 May 1993

Age: 30 years old (as of 2023)

Place of birth: Antwerp, Belgium

Club: Roma

Appearances: 602

Goals: 289

Lukaku is a left-footed striker with a strong physique and a keen eye for goal. He has been known to use his strength to get past defenders. Romelu Lukaku was the first Premier League player to join Jay-Z's management agency, Roc Nation Sports.

6. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - Marseille

Full name: Pierre-Emerick Emiliano François Aubameyang

Date of birth: 18 June 1989

Age: 34 years old (as of 2023)

Place of birth: Laval, France

Club: Marseille

Appearances: 619

Goals: 309

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is known for his speed, finishing ability, and off-the-ball movement. He announced his retirement from international football on 18 May 2022. However, one year later, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang declared a reversal in his decision and expressed his intention to rejoin the national team.

5. Neymar - Al Hilal

Full name: Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior

Date of birth: 5 February 1992

Age: 31 years old (as of 2023)

Place of birth: Mogi das Cruzes, State of São Paulo, Brazil

Club: Al Hilal

Appearances: 589

Goals: 360

Neymar is a Brazilian professional footballer who is widely regarded as one of the best and most skilful players in the world. Footballer Neymar began his professional career with Santos FC in Brazil before moving to Europe to play for FC Barcelona in 2013.

4. Karim Benzema - Al-Ittihad

Full name: Karim Mostafa Benzema

Date of birth: 18 December 1987

Age: 35 years old (as of 2023)

Place of birth: Lyon, France

Club: Al-Ittihad

Appearances: 833

Goals: 447

Karim is a French professional footballer who plays as a striker for Al-Ittihad and captains the club. Karim Benzema is a creative and prolific forward widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all time.

3. Robert Lewandowski - Barcelona

Full name: Robert Lewandowski

Date of birth: 21 August 1988

Age: 35 years old (as of 2023)

Place of birth: Warsaw, Poland

Club: Barcelona

Appearances: 806

Goals: 581

Robert Lewandowski is the captain of the Polish national team and a professional footballer from Poland. He is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the world, having scored over 200 goals in the Bundesliga since joining Bayern in 2014. Robert Lewandowski finished second in the Ballon d'Or, just 33 points behind the winner Lionel Messi in 2021.

2. Lionel Messi - Inter Miami

Full name: Lionel Andrés Messi

Date of birth: 24 June 1987

Age: 36 years old (as of 2023)

Place of birth: Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina

Club: Inter Miami

Appearances: 899

Goals: 726

As of 2023, Lionel Messi is regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all time, having won eight Ballon d'Or awards. He is well-known for his finishing ability, positioning, quick reactions, and ability to make attacking runs to get past the defensive line.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo - Al Nassr

Full name: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro

Date of birth: 5 February 1985

Age: 38 years old (as of 2023)

Place of birth: Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

Club: Al Nassr

Appearances: 993

Goals: 737

Cristiano Ronaldo is a professional soccer player from Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time. He has played for several top clubs, including Manchester United and Real Madrid, and is the all-time top scorer for the Portuguese national team. He is a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, the highest individual honour in soccer and an icon of the sport.