The striker position is integral to any team’s success as the players in that role are typically the pivotal pieces that determine the match’s result. Since it is a big-time role, you must distinguish between the best and mediocre strikers.

Any top-tier striker is a game-changer, but some have separated themselves from the rest. However, you must learn first how to determine an elite striker before looking into the top names.

What makes a good striker?

In football, only a few types of players can affect a game as much as a good striker. Here are the traits that make them what they are:

• Clinical finishing - The biggest role a striker has to play is to score the goals. Passes will be made to the striker, and it is up to them how to finish the opportunity. They must do their best to score goals in the most efficient way possible, which means they must finish most of the chances they are given.
• Ball control - Strikers are meant to score goals, but they should also be superb when the ball is on their feet. They must be able to stand out when defenders are hounding them, so being creative with their dribbling should lead to good results. 
• Link-up play - A striker’s job is not only to score goals, but they can also help the team out by providing options to pass to. With link-up play, strikers can hold their defenders in uncomfortable spots, while the other players make the moves to the right places. 
• Positioning and awareness - A big part of playing as a striker is the positioning they must consider when playing. They have to avoid being called for offside, while the defenders are bothered enough to make mistakes and let him score goals. As long as the striker is aware of what he must do, he can make a difference.

Who are the best strikers in world football?

Now that you know the qualities of a good striker, you should look into which players can be considered the best out of the crop of strikers in football. Here they are: 

Erling Haaland (Manchester City and Norway)

Erling Haaland is one of the most feared strikers in the world. Known for his exceptional mental toughness, Haaland has the resilience to go up against elite defenders and dominate them with his towering frame and power. He outmatches his defenders physically, as he can bully his opponents in one-on-one duels.

His left foot is one of his best weapons as he scores countless goals with powerful shots. Even when he is playing awkward angles, he combines power and accuracy to constantly find the back of the net. His positioning is also elite, as he is relentless with his movement. That has made him an elite number nine that people will see as the pinnacle of the position.

Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid and France)

If you want to see a fast striker, Kylian Mbappé is your guy. He is arguably the fastest player in the world, which makes him a threat to any defender. The combination of his blistering pace with supreme control is unmatched since no defender can keep him under wraps.

Mbappé is more than just a speedy player, as he is also one of the smartest on the pitch. He can read the game, which leads him to exploit his defenders�?lack of pace and awareness with his movement and deft touch when he gets the ball.

Alexander Isak (Newcastle United and Sweden)

Intelligent strikers are hard to come by, but Alexander Isak might be the best example of a striker with an elite football IQ. He has tremendous physical attributes, including his height and deceptive strength. However, his football IQ stands out as he loves manipulating the defence with subtle movements and good positioning.

Whenever Isak is in front of the goal, he has solid composure. He is always dangerous when he has a chance to score due to being extremely clinical. His ability to be calm under pressure makes him one of the scariest players, as he can create a goal out of nothing. He can also drift to either side of the box, which confuses defenders when he takes them on.

Harry Kane (Bayern Munich and England)

Harry Kane is remarkable with his playmaking and goal-scoring, making him one of the most well-rounded strikers. He is a natural finisher with either foot and a strong presence in the air with his headers. Kane is always reliable since he constantly delivers when he is given the ball. 

He is capable of excelling in any situation as he has the power, IQ, and finishing you would expect from an elite striker. Kane is also quite reliable in clutch moments as he finds ways to get shots off and bends them into the net.

Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP and Sweden)

Viktor Gyökeres has flown under the radar compared to the other names on this list, but he has made a serious impact at Sporting CP. He is a relentless striker who is constantly pushing his defenders to their limits. The movement and physicality disrupt his matchups, which opens him up for a chance to score. 

He has a powerful shot, which makes him a constant goal threat anywhere he plays. Forcing defenders to always stay alert makes them anxious every time he has the ball because he can shoot or make a pinpoint pass.

These strikers are good examples of the pinnacle of this position. They are important to any team, as they could become the game-changers when they’re on the pitch. Football has 11 positions, but no one can deny that strikers are essential, especially since they score goals.

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Harry Kane can finally call himself a champion. The 31-year-old striker got his first major trophy after Bayern Munich won the 2024-25 Bundesliga title. Bayern's win came after Freiburg stopped second-placed Bayer Leverkusen with a 2-2 draw. This result puts Bayern eight points ahead with only two games left.

For Kane, this win ends years of disappointment. Even though he was one of the best strikers in the sport, he had never won a trophy with Tottenham, England, or even Bayern. This led people to say he was 'cursed'. His 2023 move to Bayern made big news as a record signing. However, his first season ended with no trophies, the club’s first time without one since 2012.

Kane and his teammates started celebrating early at a Munich restaurant with beer and champagne. It’s Bayern's 34th German title and another big moment in their strong run. The club will get the trophy next weekend at home against Borussia Mönchengladbach. 

Champions League chase gets tighter

Freiburg's draw kept them in fourth place. They stayed ahead of Dortmund and Leipzig for the last Champions League spot. In the fight to avoid relegation, Holstein Kiel improved their chances with a 3-1 win at Augsburg. They now have important games against Freiburg and Dortmund in the next few weeks.

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What makes a football player iconic? Is it their impressive abilities on the field or their record-breaking scores? Explore today's football world and uncover the players who rattled the current scene with exceptional skills and athletic abilities. 

Mohamed Salah

Born in Egypt, Mohamed Salah is a highly skilled athlete known for his incredible speed and dribbling. He played for football clubs like Fiorentina (on loan), Chelsea F.C., and AS Roma. From 2017 to the present, he has been with Liverpool F.C. 

Mohamed is a renowned right winger and forward for the current EPL club leader. As of writing, he tops the EPL leaderboards as the player with the most goals (27) and assists (18). 

Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe is Real Madrid’s prized player, as he is one of the fastest players in the world. His popularity skyrocketed when he scored a hat-trick in the final game against Argentina in 2022. 

In his career, he became part of several teams, like Monaco and Monaco II. His longest stay was with Paris Saint-Germain; now, he plays for Real Madrid. As of this writing, Mbappe holds second in most goals (22) in the current LaLiga season. 

Vinícius Junior

Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior, most commonly referred to as Vinícius Junior, is a Brazilian football player with agility and elite dribbling skills that are out of this world. Before Real Madrid, he also played for Brazil and Flamengo. 

Despite not being on the current LaLiga leaderboards, his skill and athleticism will forever be remembered for scoring the winning goal in the UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool in 2022. 

Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski is a Poland-born football player who plays for FC Barcelona as their striker. He is known as one of the greatest in football history and has shown his skill through elite goal-scoring feats. 

Lewandowski has proven his worth as a football player when he set a Guinness World Record by scoring five goals in just nine minutes. This incredible feat was seen during the 2015 Bayern Munich vs Wolfsburg match. 

Harry Kane

Harry Edward Kane is an English football player known for his exceptional striking abilities and technical skills. He played for numerous teams, such as Leicester and Tottenham, but currently plays for Bayern Munich. 

According to the Bundesliga league table, Kane is currently the top scorer with 24 goals under his belt. His team, Bayern Munich, is also at the top of the table with their astounding 22 wins, two losses, and 72 points in total. 

Lamine Yamal

Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana is the youngest player on this list, and there is a reason why he quickly became a football superstar. Known for his incredible composure and technical field skills, this young FC Barcelona winger is recognised as one of the most promising players today. 

Despite his age, he has already secured multiple awards, including the Kopa Trophy in 2024 and the ‘Breakthrough of the Year Award�?at the 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid on April 21, 2025. 

Erling Haaland

Erling Braut Haaland is one of today's most dominant and prolific strikers in the football industry. His excellent agility, strength, and calm demeanour made him a fan favourite. Currently playing for Manchester City, his debut with the team became iconic as he became the top scorer during the 2022-2023 EPL. 

The Norwegian football player is also known for his iconic five goals in a single match against RB Leipzig, which tied Lionel Messi’s record for the most goals scored in a single UCL knockout game.

Discover the feats of these legendary players

These are some of the most iconic football players in the current football industry. Their legendary status was born out of skill and their explosive athleticism. Whether it's the number of goals scored in a single match or topping the league table, these players have shown they are worthy of this title. 

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