Discover the Best Striker in the World and the Top Strikers in Football

Introduction 

Football is a beloved sport around the world, and many follow the best players in the game. The striker position is an important one for any team looking to score goals and win games. It takes a certain kind of player to be successful at this role, requiring technical and tactical skill as well as physical strength. In this article, we will discuss who has been labeled by football fans and experts as the best striker in the world, as well as other top strikers.

Who are the Best Strikers in the World in 2023?

Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

Erling Haaland, a Norwegian footballer, currently serves as a striker for Manchester City. Born on July 21, 2000, in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, Haaland stands tall at 1.94 meters (6 feet 4 inches). Renowned for his exceptional goal-scoring skills and impressive physical attributes, Haaland has firmly established himself as one of the most promising young strikers in the world.

Haaland embarked on his football journey with Bryne FK during his youth career, and his talent was evident as he scored an impressive 18 goals in 14 appearances for the club. Subsequently, he caught the attention of Molde, where he spent two fruitful seasons before making a move to Red Bull Salzburg in 2019. At Salzburg, Haaland continued to shine, netting 17 goals in just 16 appearances. His remarkable form led him to join Borussia Dortmund in 2020, where he made a significant impact by scoring 62 goals in 67 appearances. In 2022, Haaland made a notable transfer to Manchester City, signing a five-year contract with the club.

On the international stage, Haaland has represented Norway at various youth levels and the senior national team. Impressively, he has recorded 24 goals in 25 appearances for the senior squad. His extraordinary goal-scoring abilities and performances have garnered admiration and accolades from both fans and experts.

Kylian Mbappé (PSG)

Kylian Mbappé is a professional football player from France who is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world. He was born on December 20, 1998, in Paris, France. Mbappé started his football journey at a young age and joined the local club AS Bondy at the age of six. He quickly developed his skills and caught the attention of top French clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain and AS Monaco.

Mbappé made his senior debut for Monaco in 2015 and went on to have a breakout season in 2016-2017, scoring 26 goals in 44 games and helping Monaco win the Ligue 1 title. His performances attracted the attention of major clubs across Europe, and in 2017, he joined Paris Saint-Germain on loan, with the move becoming permanent in 2018.

At Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappé has continued to excel, becoming one of the key players for the team. He has won several titles with the club, including multiple Ligue 1 titles. Mbappé has also achieved success at the international level, representing the French national team. He played a crucial role in France’s victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where he won the FIFA World Cup Best Young Player award.

Lionel Messi (PSG)

Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina. Messi primarily plays as a forward or attacking midfielder.

Messi began his youth career at Grandoli and Newell’s Old Boys before joining Barcelona’s youth academy in 2000. He made his senior debut for Barcelona in 2004 and played for the club until 2021, winning numerous titles, including ten La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles, and four UEFA Champions League titles. In 2021, Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain and later signed with Inter Miami in 2023.

For the Argentina national team, Messi has had a highly successful career. He has represented Argentina in multiple tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup and the Copa América. In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Messi helped Argentina win the tournament, earning the title of World Cup Winner. He has also won the Copa América in 2021. Messi is Argentina’s all-time top scorer, with 103 goals in 175 international appearances.

Harry Kane (Tottenham)

Harry Edward Kane, born on July 28, 1993, is an English professional footballer who currently plays as a striker for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and the England national team. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters) tall, Kane is known for his goal-scoring prowess and link-up play.

Kane began his football career playing for local club Ridgeway Rovers before joining the youth academy at Arsenal. However, he was released by Arsenal at a young age due to his small size. He then had brief stints with his old club Rovers and Watford before being scouted by Tottenham Hotspur.

Since joining Tottenham Hotspur in 2009, Kane has been an integral part of the team. He has made over 300 appearances for the club, scoring more than 200 goals. He has also had loan spells at Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich City, and Leicester City during his early career.

On the international stage, Kane has represented England at various levels, including the U17, U19, U20, and U21 teams. He made his senior international debut in 2015 and has since become one of England’s most prolific goal scorers, with over 80 appearances and more than 50 goals for the national team.

Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)

Robert Lewandowski is a Polish professional footballer who currently plays as a striker for the Spanish club Barcelona and the Poland national team. He was born on August 21, 1988, in Warsaw, Poland. Standing at 1.85 meters (6 feet 1 inch) tall, Lewandowski has established himself as one of the best strikers in the world.

Lewandowski began his youth career at Partyzant Leszno and MKS Varsovia Warsaw before moving on to his senior career. He has played for various clubs throughout his career, including Delta Warsaw, Legia Warsaw II, Znicz Pruszków, Lech Poznań, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and now Barcelona. Notably, he has achieved great success with Bayern Munich, where he played from 2014 to 2022, scoring an impressive 238 goals in 253 appearances.

Internationally, Lewandowski has represented the Poland national team since 2008, earning over 140 caps and scoring 79 goals as of the provided information. He has been a key figure for Poland in major tournaments such as the UEFA European Championship and the FIFA World Cup.

Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)

Karim Benzema is a French professional footballer who plays as a striker. He was born on December 19, 1987, in Lyon, France. Benzema is known for his aggressive and prolific goal-scoring behavior and is regarded as one of the best strikers in the world.

Benzema started his football career with local club SC Bron Terraillon before joining the youth academy of Olympique Lyonnais in 1996. He made his professional debut for Lyon in the 2004-2005 season and went on to play for the club until 2009. During his time at Lyon, Benzema won multiple titles, including three league titles.

In 2009, Benzema joined Real Madrid, one of the top clubs in Spain. He has been a key player for Real Madrid, contributing significantly to the team’s success. As of today’s date, July 3, 2023, Benzema is still a part of the Real Madrid squad. However, there have been reports that he has received a lucrative offer to join a Saudi Arabian club.

Throughout his career, Benzema has achieved numerous accolades and titles. He has won several domestic and international trophies, including 5 UEFA Champions League titles, 5 FIFA Club World Cups, 4 European Super Cups, 4 National Leagues, 3 Spanish Cups, 4 Spanish Super Cups, and 1 Nations League. He has also received individual awards such as the Ballon d’Or, UEFA Best Player, FIFA/FIFPRO World XI, Pichichi Trophy, and more.

On the international stage, Benzema has represented the French national team. He has earned 97 caps and scored 37 goals for France. He has participated in major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship.

Victor Osimhen (Napoli)

Victor Osimhen is a Nigerian professional football player who currently plays as a striker for Serie A club Napoli and the Nigeria national team. Born on December 29, 1998, in Lagos, Nigeria, Osimhen has made a name for himself in the world of football with his speed, agility, and goal-scoring ability. Victor Osimhen stands at a height of 1.85 meters (6 feet 1 inch).

Osimhen started his youth career at the Ultimate Strikers Academy before making his professional debut with VfL Wolfsburg in 2017. He had loan spells at Charleroi during the 2018-2019 season, where he scored 12 goals in 25 appearances. In 2019, he joined Lille and had an impressive season, scoring 13 goals in 27 appearances.

In 2020, Osimhen made a move to Napoli, where he continued to showcase his talent and became a key player for the team. As of today, he has made 83 appearances for Napoli, scoring 50 goals.

Internationally, Osimhen has represented Nigeria at various levels. He was part of the Nigerian U17 team that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2015. He has also played for the Nigeria U23 team and made his senior debut for the Nigeria national team in 2017. He has scored 17 goals in 25 appearances for the national team.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)

Cristiano Ronaldo, whose full name is Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, is a Portuguese professional footballer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. He was born on February 5, 1985, in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. Ronaldo primarily plays as a forward and is known for his incredible athleticism, goal-scoring ability, and versatility on the field.

Ronaldo began his football career at a young age, playing for local clubs Andorinha and Nacional before joining the youth academy of Sporting CP in 1997. He made his senior debut for Sporting CP in 2002 and quickly gained attention with his impressive performances, which led to his transfer to Manchester United in 2003. At Manchester United, Ronaldo achieved great success, winning numerous domestic and international titles, including three English Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League.

In 2009, Ronaldo made a high-profile move to Real Madrid for a then-world record transfer fee of $131 million. During his time at Real Madrid, he established himself as one of the best players in the world, winning numerous individual awards and helping the team win multiple Champions League titles. In 2018, Ronaldo joined Juventus in Italy, where he continued to excel and contribute significantly to the team’s success. In 2021, he returned to Manchester United and later joined Al Nassr in 2023.

In addition to his club career, Ronaldo has represented the Portugal national team since 2003. He has participated in multiple UEFA European Championships and FIFA World Cups, helping Portugal win the 2016 UEFA European Championship and achieve success on the international stage.

Neymar (PSG)

Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, commonly known as Neymar or Neymar Jr., was born on February 5, 1992, in Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil. He is a Brazilian professional football player who plays as a forward for Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazilian national team. Neymar is considered one of the best players of his generation and has made a significant impact in the world of football.

Neymar began his career at a young age and gained attention for his impressive soccer abilities. He rose to prominence while playing for Santos FC, where he won four consecutive Player of the Year awards and became one of Brazil’s most popular public figures. In 2013, Neymar made a move to Europe and joined FC Barcelona, where he became a key player for the club and won numerous domestic and international titles. After his successful stint at Barcelona, Neymar transferred to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. Throughout his career, he has scored over 100 goals for multiple clubs.

Internationally, Neymar has represented Brazil at various levels, including the U17, U20, and U23 teams. He has been a vital player for the Brazilian national team since making his senior debut in 2010. Neymar has participated in major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and helped Brazil win their first Olympic gold medal in 2016.

Ivan Toney

Ivan Toney is an English professional footballer who currently plays as a striker for Brentford, a Premier League team. He was born on March 16, 1996, in Northampton, England.

Toney began his youth career at Northampton Town and made his professional debut for the club in 2012, becoming the youngest player ever to represent the team. After scoring 13 goals in 60 appearances for Northampton, he joined Newcastle United in 2015. During his time at Newcastle, Toney had loan spells at Barnsley, Shrewsbury Town, Wigan Athletic, and Scunthorpe United.

However, it was at Peterborough United where Toney truly made his mark, scoring 49 goals in 94 appearances. In 2020, he transferred to Brentford, where he continued his impressive goal-scoring form. In the 2020/2021 season, Toney scored 31 goals for Brentford in the EFL Championship, making him the league’s top scorer. He also won the EFL Championship Golden Boot and helped Brentford gain promotion to the Premier League. Additionally, Toney was called up to the England national team in September 2022.

Jonathan David

Jonathan David is a Canadian professional footballer who currently plays as a forward for Lille in Ligue 1 and the Canadian national team. He was born on January 14, 2000, in Brooklyn, New York, and stands at a height of 1.75 meters (5 feet 9 inches).

David began his youth career playing for various clubs, including Gloucester Dragons and Ottawa Gloucester Hornets. In 2018, he made his senior debut with Gent, where he played for two seasons before moving to Lille in 2020.

Internationally, Jonathan David has represented Canada at various levels, starting with the U17 team in 2017 and progressing to the senior national team in 2018. He has earned several caps and scored numerous goals for his country.

Jonathan David’s impressive performances on the field have earned him recognition as an elite striker. He has been regarded as one of the rising stars in European football. With his skill and goal-scoring ability, he has attracted interest from top clubs across Europe.

Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford, born on October 31, 1997, is a professional football player from England who currently plays as a forward for Manchester United and the England national team. He is known for his attacking prowess, dribbling skills, composure, and athleticism.

Rashford began his football career at an early age, playing for Fletcher Moss Rangers before being scouted by Manchester United’s youth system. He made his senior debut for Manchester United in February 2016 and quickly rose to prominence. In his debut Europa League match, he scored a goal and followed it up with another goal in his first Premier League appearance against Arsenal. He continued his goal-scoring streak in subsequent matches, including the Manchester Derby, League Cup, and UEFA Champions League.

At the international level, Rashford has represented England, earning caps in various youth categories before making his senior debut in 2016. He has since become a key player for the national team, participating in major tournaments such as the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship in 2020, where England finished as the runners-up. In total, he has made 53 appearances for England, scoring 16 goals.

Antoine Griezmann

Antoine Griezmann, born on March 21, 1991, is a professional football player from France. He is known for his versatility and plays as a forward for Atlético Madrid and the France national team. Griezmann stands at a height of 1.76 meters (5 feet 9 inches). He began his youth career at Entente Charnay et Mâcon 71 and UF Mâconnais before joining Real Sociedad in 2005.

In terms of his senior career, Griezmann played for Real Sociedad from 2009 to 2014, making 180 appearances and scoring 46 goals. He then moved to Atlético Madrid, where he played from 2014 to 2019, making 180 appearances and scoring 94 goals. Griezmann had a stint at Barcelona from 2019 to 2022, making 74 appearances and scoring 22 goals. He also had a loan spell back at Atlético Madrid during the 2021-2022 season, making 34 appearances and scoring 5 goals. Currently, he plays for Atlético Madrid, with 30 appearances and 13 goals.

Griezmann has represented France at various international levels, including France U19, U20, and U21 teams, before making his senior debut in 2014. He has since earned 121 caps and scored 43 goals for the national team. Notably, Griezmann was part of the French squad that won the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where he either scored or set up eight of the 14 total goals for France.

Ademola Lookman

Ademola Lookman is a professional footballer who currently plays as a winger for Atalanta and the Nigerian national team. He was born on October 20, 1997, in Wandsworth, London, England. Lookman began his youth career at Waterloo FC before joining Charlton Athletic in 2013. He made his senior debut for Charlton Athletic in 2015 and went on to make 45 appearances, scoring 10 goals for the club.

In 2017, Lookman moved to Everton, where he played for two seasons and made 36 appearances, scoring 1 goal. He also had a loan spell at RB Leipzig in 2018, where he made 11 appearances and scored 5 goals. Lookman returned to RB Leipzig in 2019 and played for the club until 2022, making 11 appearances without scoring any goals.

During his time at RB Leipzig, Lookman had loan spells at Fulham and Leicester City. He played for Fulham during the 2020-2021 season, making 34 appearances and scoring 4 goals. In the 2021-2022 season, he played for Leicester City, making 26 appearances and scoring 6 goals.

In terms of international career, Lookman has represented both England and Nigeria at different levels. He played for England’s U19, U20, and U21 squads before switching his allegiance to Nigeria. He has represented Nigeria at the senior level, earning 7 caps and scoring 1 goal.

Currently, Lookman plays for Atalanta, where he joined in 2022. He has made 31 appearances for the club, scoring 13 goals. As of the 2023 season, Lookman’s market value is estimated to be around €30 million.

Lautaro Martínez

Lautaro Martínez is an Argentine professional soccer player who is known for his role as a striker. He was born on August 22, 1997, in Bahía Blanca, Argentina. Martínez began his career in the youth academy of Liniers and later moved to Racing Club. He made his senior debut for Racing Club in 2015 and had an impressive spell with the club, scoring 22 goals in 48 appearances.

In 2018, Martínez joined Inter Milan, a top-tier Italian club, and has been a key player for the team since then. As of June 2023, he has made 173 appearances for Inter Milan, scoring 79 goals in domestic league competitions. He played a vital role in helping Inter Milan win the Serie A title in the 2020-21 season and the Coppa Italia in the 2021-22 season.

Internationally, Martínez has represented Argentina at various levels. He played for the Argentina U20 team from 2016 to 2017, scoring 7 goals in 11 appearances. He made his senior international debut in 2018 and has since earned 48 caps for the Argentina national team, scoring 21 goals. Martínez was part of the Argentina squad that won the Copa América in 2021 and the FIFA World Cup in 2022.

Conclusion

Strikers have the ability to make or break a team. If they can score goals regularly, then their teams will be successful. In this article, we have discussed some of the best strikers in football and what makes them great players. They have achieved great success in their respective clubs and national teams, and they have earned themselves high market values as a result. Football fans should keep an eye on these four strikers to see what new heights they can reach in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is considered the best striker in the world?

The best striker in the world is considered to be Lautaro Martínez, a professional Argentine footballer who currently plays as a striker for Inter Milan and the Argentina national team. He has achieved great success with his club side and international team, and he has earned himself a market value of €85 million as of June 2023.

Who was the best striker in the world in 2022?

Here are some of the names that appear frequently among the best strikers in the world in 2022 according to various sources: Karim Benzema, Robert Lewandowski, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane.

Who is currently regarded as the best striker in the world in 2023?

There are multiple sources with different opinions on the best striker in the world in 2023. Here are some of the players mentioned as the best strikers: Erling Haaland, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mateo Retegui (Tigre), Jonathan David.

Who is considered the best striker of all time?

There are several different rankings and opinions on this topic. Here are some notable strikers who often appear in lists of the greatest strikers of all time: Pele, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Maradona, Ronaldo.

Who was the best striker in the FIFA World Cup 2022?

Here are some notable strikers who were mentioned in the sources: Aleksandar Mitrovic (Serbia), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Enner Valencia (Ecuador), Kylian Mbappe (France).