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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The Ballon d’Or is widely regarded as the top individual trophy for footballers, as it is given to the best player of that year. Lionel Messi is often considered the best-ever football player, proven by his record eight Ballon d’Or wins. 

The football world has plenty of top-tier players competing for the award in 2025. The post-Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo era of the Ballon d’Or has led to more players competing for the Golden Ball. 

Here are the current top choices for the 2025 Ballon d’Or:

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

The Premier League is often considered the world’s best domestic football league. Since Liverpool is the runaway favourite to win the Prem, it is expected that their biggest star is a Ballon d’Or candidate. Mohamed Salah has been with LFC since 2017, making him the club’s superstar for a long time, and he could get recognition for his efforts.

Across all competitions for Liverpool, Salah has 32 goals and 23 assists as of April 15, 2025. His performance has been impressive due to his goal contributions being the primary reason Liverpool is en route to winning another Premier League title. However, what hurts his candidacy is Liverpool’s absence from the cup competitions.

Raphinha (Barcelona)

Raphinha has been superb for Barcelona this season, as he has fully moved to the left-wing position. Manager Hansi Flick put him there to maximise his front three, consisting of Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Robert Lewandowski. It has worked well, considering Barça has made it far in the Champions League and is in La Liga’s title race.

Across all competitions for Barça, Raphinha has 28 goals and 22 assists as of April 15, 2025. The Brazilian has surpassed expectations due to his impressive stats, as he has elevated his game from being the talisman for Leeds United to becoming the best player on a European giant.

Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)

Regarded as one of the best players in the world when he was with Paris Saint-Germain, Kylian Mbappé showed the same competence in Real Madrid. He has been hailed by former Real Madrid president Ramón Calderón as the player to follow in the legendary footsteps of Ronaldo Nazário. 

Since he was converted to a striker, Mbappé has become a pure goalscorer. He has dished out four assists as of April 15, 2025, but he has scored 32 goals. With Real Madrid’s potential success in La Liga, the Frenchman’s status as the best player could win him the award.

The Ballon d’Or is a prestigious award, and all the best candidates are worthy of winning it. It will be a toss-up among three superstars, but there is still a lot of football to be played.

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Real Madrid edged out Alavés with a tight 1-0 win in La Liga on Sunday, April 13. The match saw Kylian Mbappé receive a red card for a reckless tackle in the first half. 

Eduardo Camavinga scored the lone goal for Madrid in the 34th minute. The incident occurred in the 38th minute when Mbappé’s high challenge on Antonio Blanco was deemed dangerous.

The second half saw Vinícius Júnior fouled by Manu Sánchez, levelling the player count as Sánchez was also sent off. The game drew a tight fight for Madrid, who now trail Barcelona in the La Liga race. 

After the match, Real Madrid’s assistant coach Davide Ancelotti spoke about Mbappé’s moves, saying the star isn’t a violent player, is aware of the mistake, and has already apologised.

This was the forward’s first red card since joining Madrid last summer, though he was sent off three times during his PSG tenure.

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