Top 25 Strikers in World Soccer Right Now

The role of a striker has changed dramatically, shaped by each team’s approach. You can have the best playmaker or toughest midfielder, but without a striker who can score goals, it all falls short.

Modern strikers are no longer just goal scorers; they contribute in multiple ways on the pitch. Still, goals remain the most important measure of their success. Many top forwards continue to deliver stunning goal tallies season after season.

Here is Sports Illustrated’s ranking of the 25 best strikers currently playing worldwide.

25. Jonathan David

Jonathan David has been consistently scoring for years. After joining Lille in 2020, he hit double figures immediately and improved to 19 goals in his second season. Over the next three years, he scored 25 or more goals annually, a feat even more impressive considering Lille is not among football’s giants.

In 2025, Juventus signed him, and surrounded by a strong squad, David looks set to shine on the biggest stages.

24. Patrik Schick

Patrik Schick fits the profile of a big striker with great ball control. Though he might seem awkward, his skill is undeniable. After some quiet seasons, he exploded in 2024–25 with 27 goals, filling the void left by the injured Victor Boniface. His performance was so commanding that Boniface moved on that summer.

23. Samu Aghehowa

The pendulum of striker styles has swung back towards physical forwards, and Samu Aghehowa embodies this trend perfectly. At 6’4" and 90 kg, the Spanish international dominates aerial battles and holds up play with strength and finesse. He scored 27 goals in 2024–25 for Porto, showcasing versatility through headers, volleys, and even an overhead kick.

22. Jean-Philippe Mateta

Jean-Philippe Mateta took time to find his feet but has blossomed at Crystal Palace. Initially scoring only 10 goals in 67 appearances, he transformed into a lethal two-footed finisher in 2023–24. With 36 goals over two calendar years, Mateta earned a spot in France’s national team and made an impact in World Cup qualifying.

21. Ollie Watkins

Ollie Watkins has been pivotal to Aston Villa’s rise since joining from Brentford in 2020. Villa climbed from fighting relegation to Champions League contenders, with Watkins scoring 27 goals in 2023–24. Despite offers elsewhere, he stayed loyal, signaling more growth to come.

20. Nick Woltemade

Nick Woltemade became Newcastle’s replacement for Alexander Isak after the latter's record £125 million move to Liverpool. Unlike a typical tall striker, Woltemade is intelligent, presses relentlessly, and boasts a delicate first touch. His start at Newcastle suggests he’s destined for fan favourite status.

19. Omar Marmoush

Omar Marmoush sparked life into Manchester City’s attack after a prolific run at Eintracht Frankfurt where he scored 20 Bundesliga goals. His sharp technique and fearless decision-making were evident, highlighted by a long-range strike late in the Premier League season.

18. Ferran Torres

Ferran Torres struggled to settle at Manchester City and Barcelona but finally found form at Barcelona as a central striker following Robert Lewandowski’s decline. Clinical finishing and a strong partnership with Lamine Yamal have led to a surge in goals, positioning Torres as Barça’s future lead striker.

17. Matheus Cunha

Matheus Cunha brings flair and creativity, capable of threading passes, weaving through defenses, and scoring from range. His efforts kept Wolves in the Premier League during 2024–25. Now at Manchester United, expectations are high for him to make an even bigger impact.

16. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo defies age, excelling even in his forties in the Saudi Pro League. His recent eight goals in the 2024–25 Nations League propelled Portugal to victory. No matter the league, when Ronaldo plays, he scores. A legend and one of the greatest scorers ever.

15. Viktor Gyökeres

Viktor Gyökeres scored an incredible 97 goals in two seasons for Sporting CP, helping win consecutive titles. Yet he still needs to prove himself in the Premier League with Arsenal. His start shows promise, but improvement is needed to match his Portuguese form.

14. Benjamin Šeško

Benjamin Šeško fulfilled his potential in 2024–25, netting 21 goals for RB Leipzig. With aerial prowess and sharp movement, the Slovenian joined Manchester United in 2025, hoping to continue his rise despite the club’s struggles.

13. João Pedro

João Pedro has never been a consistent scorer but offers hard work, link-up play, aggression, and flair. At Chelsea, especially under Liam Rosenior, he’s begun scoring more regularly, showing signs of a breakthrough.

12. Marcus Thuram

Marcus Thuram proved a bargain free transfer for Inter Milan, seamlessly replacing Romelu Lukaku. His link-up play and goal threat helped Inter win Serie A in 2023–24 and reach the Champions League final the next year.

11. Serhou Guirassy

Serhou Guirassy rose from struggling in Ligue 2 to starring in the Bundesliga, scoring 30 goals in 30 games at Stuttgart before moving to Borussia Dortmund. He netted 38 goals including 13 in the Champions League in his debut season, making him one of the world's elite forwards.

10. Alexander Isak

Alexander Isak redeemed himself after a slow start in England, scoring 62 goals for Newcastle in three seasons before Liverpool paid a British-record £125 million for him. Known for varied finishes, Isak faces big expectations to bring silverware to Anfield.

9. Victor Osimhen

Victor Osimhen shone in Napoli’s historic 2022–23 Serie A title win. Though his loan to Galatasaray in 2024–25 removed him from Europe’s spotlight, he kept scoring regularly. The Nigerian forward could succeed anywhere.

8. Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski hasn’t received all the credit due. After dominating Bundesliga for a decade, he continues to score efficiently at Barcelona. Not the fastest or flashiest, he is a clinical finisher and remains one of the game’s best nearly two decades in.

7. Hugo Ekitike

Hugo Ekitike revived his career at Eintracht Frankfurt after struggling at PSG. His elegant movement and sharp finishing earned him a 2024–25 summer move to Liverpool, where he started strongly.

6. Julián Álvarez

Julián Álvarez played understudy to Erling Haaland at Manchester City, but proved a threat even with limited time. Moving to Atlético Madrid in 2024, he scored 29 goals, blending intelligence, pace, and relentlessness to forge his own path.

5. Lautaro Martínez

Lautaro Martínez is powerful, precise, and relentless. He combines old-school toughness with modern pressing and finishing. Scoring over 20 goals in almost every recent season for Inter, he thrives both as a solo striker and in partnerships.

4. Ousmane Dembélé

Ousmane Dembélé overcame injuries and inconsistency to become PSG’s key figure after Kylian Mbappé left. Shifting centrally, he scored 35 goals and assisted 16 in a historic quadruple-winning campaign, finally fulfilling his vast potential.

3. Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland combines size, speed, and relentless goal-scoring ability. At Manchester City, he quickly silenced doubters, delivering goals even when the team struggled. His straightforward yet unstoppable style makes him arguably the best striker in the world.

2. Kylian Mbappé

Kylian Mbappé is simply the most complete forward today. Boasting blistering pace, skill, power, and an uncanny eye for goal, he scored 43 goals in his first Real Madrid season—more than any other player ever. As his teammates catch up, he’ll dominate for years.

1. Harry Kane

Harry Kane is a natural scorer like few others. Even half-chances rarely go wasted. The Premier League’s second-highest scorer with 213 goals, Kane added trophies after moving to Bayern Munich. Once criticized, he now backs up his talent with silverware.