Best Striker in the World: Top 10 Rankings Based on Current Form

The striker’s role in modern football goes beyond just scoring goals—it’s about adapting to various systems, creating chances, and leading the attacking line with intelligence and flair. With each season, only a select few manage to rise above the rest and earn their spot as world-class goal scorers. Our list of the best strikers in the world includes some legends who have been tearing it up for seasons together. However, it also includes some young superstars who have already proven their worth in world football, such as Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.

There is a reason why strikers tend to be in the limelight so often. Goals, after all, win you games, even though there are a plethora of other ways in which strikers can help a team. Be it hold-up play, creating chances for others, or simply making proper use of the space afforded to them, strikers can be useful not just in attack, but oftentimes in defence as well. Here, we look at our comprehensive list of the best strikers in the world. This will answer a simple question: Who is the best striker in the world at present?

Criteria for Ranking the Best Strikers in the World

Impact: The most critical factor in ranking the top strikers globally is their impact on the pitch, from clutch goals in decisive moments to game-winning performances in league and international fixtures. These are the players who shift momentum and deliver when it matters most.

Longevity: While one great season can catch attention, only those who have performed consistently over multiple years make this list. Sustained excellence, durability, and staying at the top level of the game are what elevate a striker’s legacy.

Achievements: Goals alone don’t guarantee greatness. We’ve considered individual accolades, team trophies, and personal milestones achieved during the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons. Strikers who were instrumental in winning league titles, European honors, or international tournaments ranked higher. So, who is the best striker in the world currently? Let’s find out!

Top 10 Best Strikers in the World (May 2025 Rankings)

10) Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

Ollie Watkins’ performance for Aston Villa this campaign has completely gone under the radar this season. In this campaign, the English striker has scored an impressive 16 goals and 13 assists this season, highlighting his prowess in front of the goal. Ollie’s fantastic campaign has helped Aston Villa this season as they rank 7th in the league.

Although the striker may see a dip in form compared to last season. Still, with his last season’s performance and current stats, he is one of the best strikers in the world currently.

Stats	Season 2023/24	Season 2024/25
Appearances	53	49
Goals	27	16
Assists	13	13

9) Mateo Retegui (Atalanta)

The Argentine-born striker has caught everybody’s attention with his impressive scoring and creativity on the field for his club, Atalanta. Mateo Retegui scored 9 goals for his club last season. His ability to hold the play and score from all positions across the pitch makes him one of the best strikers in the world in 2025. It remains to be seen if he can sustain his clinical performance, but for now, he has shown no signs of slowing down. 

Retegui has come all guns blazing this season as well for his club with 26 goals and 6 assists in 44 games so far. He has been influential for his club in Serie A, they’re currently sitting in 3rd position with 64 points in 33 games.

Stats	Season 2023/24	Season 2024/25
Appearances	31	44
Goals	9	26
Assists	3	6

8) Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid)

Julian Alvarez is slowly getting into the list of the top 10 best strikers in the world in 2025 with his clinical performances for Atletico Madrid. His ability to connect with the midfield while making space for teammates to exploit makes him the perfect modern striker who could thrive in any tactical system. Last season in the Premier League, Alvarez bagged an impressive 19 goals while also providing 14 assists to his teammates.

He has regained his form and has been going strong this season with 27 goals and 5 assists in 50 games, his goal-scoring spree has gone up as compared to last season for Manchester City in EPL.

Stats	Season 2023/24	Season 2024/25
Appearances	54	50
Goals	19	27
Assists	14	5

7) Robert Lewandowski (FC Barcelona)

The 36-year-old Polish striker came all guns blazing this season for FC Barcelona after a disappointing season for him, he managed to score 26 goals and nine assists across all competitions for his club. Considered one of the best strikers in the world, Robert Lewandowski has regained his form and has scored an impressive 40 goals and 3 assists in 48 games for Barcelona this season.

His ability to convert half chances and goal-scoring skills have put him on the list so high. The Barca number nine is leading the goal scoring list in the Spanish top flight with his 25 goals tally, moving closer to the golden boot.

Stats	Season 2023/24	Season 2024/25
Appearances	49	48
Goals	26	40
Assists	9	3

6) Erling Haaland (Man City)

It is hard to speak of the world’s best forward without mentioning Erling Haaland in the conversation. The big Norwegian continues to dominate the English Premier League as he dons the Manchester City jersey. His 28 goals have helped Man City stay in the top 3 after a disastrous start to the ongoing season.

While Erling Haaland has certainly not enjoyed as strong a season as last campaign, it is important to remember his time on the sidelines due to injuries. Despite that, he continues to remain the best football striker in the EPL and he will look to emulate his previous performances as the end of the season approaches. 

Stats	Season 2023/24	Season 2024/25
Appearances	45	40
Goals	38	30
Assists	7	4

5) Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)

The Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez has been one of the crucial cogs in Inter Milan’s extremely successful campaign and has carried his last season’s form. His ability to find himself in scoring positions and his finishing abilities. In this current Serie A campaign, the Inter Milan striker has scored an impressive 16 goals and found himself in a tough battle for the list of the best football strikers in the world.

Martinez is leading Inter’s attack as their captain and remains one of the key players in their ambitions to defend the Serie A title this season. He is the club’s 2nd highest goal scorer this season with 12 goals behind Marcus Thuram (14).

Stats	Season 2023/24	Season 2024/25
Appearances	44	45
Goals	27	21
Assists	7	6

Also Read: Ranking the 10 Best Strikers in Premier League 2025

4) Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting CP)

The Swedish centre-forward, Viktor Gyokeres, has been in fantastic form since 2023 and has been influential for the Portuguese club, Sporting CP, in the Primeira Liga. This campaign, he has already displayed his prowess in front of the goal as he is currently the top goal scorer in the League with 34 goals so far.

His consistent performances certainly rank him as one of the best strikers in the world. Even though he plays in the Portuguese league, his goal scoring skill is phenomenal and needs to be mentioned on this list of the best striker in the world.

Stats	Season 2023/24	Season 2024/25
Appearances	50	47
Goals	43	48
Assists	15	12

3) Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)

Despite being hounded by injuries this season, Kylian Mbappe continues to remain one of the best striker in the world in 2025. He was instrumental in PSG’s dominance in the Ligue 1 last season, where he also scored 45 goals & 11 assists for Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 last season. It is important to remember that Kylian Mbappe has scored 32 goals and 4 assists in the league this season after a slow start for Real Madrid after completing his transfer.

The French striker recently bagged a stunning hat-trick against Man City in the UEFA Champions League to carry Los Blancos in the last 16. He is currently the second top scorer in La Liga and managed to pick up his form at the right time.

Stats	Season 2023/24	Season 2024/25
Appearances	49	49
Goals	45	32
Assists	11	4

2) Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)

It obviously had to be the goal machine to top the best striker in the world list, Harry Kane. The English striker made the move to Germany in the summer transfer window last season and has been simply sensational for Bayern Munich since then. His 31 goals in his first season away from home have truly rocked everyone.

Unfortunately for him, trophies continue to elude him as Bayern finished 3rd in the Bundesliga. But this didn’t stop Harry Kane from losing his concentration and continuing his fine form from last season. Maybe that’s the price you pay for being the best striker in the world! The English striker is closing in on winning his first-ever trophy in his career.

Stats	Season 2023/24	Season 2024/25
Appearances	45	43
Goals	44	36
Assists	12	12

1) Alexander Isak (Newcastle United)

Newcastle United’s journey has been one of the inspiring stories this season in the English Premier League, with Alexander Isak being the crucial player for the team. His ability to adapt and constantly find himself in goal-scoring positions for the Magpies. The Swedish striker has scored an impressive 25 goals for his side in the Premier League last season, and he continues with his fine form this season as well, with 25 goals and six assists in 38 games so far.

While his stats may not be as impressive as others in this list. But who can argue about his influence in the EPL with his team, he has been scoring against all big team, cementing his place as the best striker in the world.

Stats	Season 2023/24	Season 2024/25
Appearances	40	38
Goals	25	25
Assists	2	6

Also Read: Ranking The 10 Best La Liga Strikers Of All Time

Who Is the Best Striker in the World Right Now?

Rank	Player	Country	Club
1	Alexander Isak	Sweden	Newcastle United
2	Harry Kane	England	Bayern Munich
3	Kylian Mbappe	France	Real Madrid
4	Viktor Gyokeres	Sweden	Sporting CP
5	Lautaro Martinez	Argentina	Inter Milan
6	Erling Haaland	Norway	Manchester City
7	Robert Lewandowski	Poland	FC Barcelona
8	Julian Alvarez	Argentina	Atletico Madrid
9	Mateo Retegui	Italy	Atalanta
10	Ollie Watkins	England	Aston Villa

Also Read: Ranking the Top 10 Premier League Strikers of All Time

Emerging Talents to Watch in 2025

Some of these players had a terrific last season for their club and country and will continue to shine in the 2024/25 season with their skills as strikers by scoring goals and creating chances for their respective sides, while a few names are enjoying their breakout campaign.

Rank	Player	Age	Club	Country
1	Benjamin Sesko	21	RB Leipzig	Slovenia
2	Lucas Stassin	20	Saint-Etienne	Belgium
3	Santiago Castro	20	Bologna	Argentina
4	Jhon Duran	21	Al Nassr	Colombia
5	Ange-Yoan Bonny	21	Parma	France
6	Vitor Roque	20	Real Betis	Brazil
7	Oumar Diakité	21	Stade Reims	Ivory Coast
8	Orri Oskarsson	20	Real Sociedad	Iceland
9	George Ilenikhena	18	Monaco	Nigeria
10	Matías Fernandez-Pardo	20	LOSC Lille	Spain

Also Read: Ranking The 10 Best Barcelona Strikers Of All Time

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