Top 10 Best Strikers in the World (2025)

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? To make our list of the best striker in the world 2025 edition more transparent, we have also revealed our ranking factors under this segment.

How We Ranked the World’s Best Strikers

Goal Conversion Rate: The primary factor we have considered is the goal conversion rate, which represents and shows the efficiency of a player in converting shots on goal into goals. this is one of our primary and most important factor in ranking the best striker in the world 2025 edition.

Expected Goals (xG): The secondary factor we considered is xG. Their probability of a shot resulting in a goal, we have taken into consideration while compiling this list.

Assists & Link-Up Play: The third parameter we have considered while compiling our list of the best strikers in the world is their ability to assist their teammates and influential in link-up plays.

Big-Game Impact: The fourth factor considered was their ability to turn the game around during big games or crucial derby matches. Their impact on winning a game or turning the result around with their ability.

Consistency Across Competitions: The last ranking factor considered is these players’ consistency across competitions, their ability to perform at the international club competitions, and score consistently played an influential role in compiling our list.

Top 10 Best Strikers in the World 2025

Who is the Best Striker in the World

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!

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 17 goals and 14 assists this season, highlighting his prowess in front of the goal. Ollie’s fantastic campaign has helped Aston Villa this season as they rank 5th 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.

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 28 goals and 8 assists in 48 games so far. He has been influential for his club in Serie A, they’re currently sitting in 3rd position with 74 points in 37 games.

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 29 goals and 6 assists in 53 games, his goal-scoring spree has gone up as compared to last season for Manchester City in the EPL.

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 51 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 behind only Kylian Mbappe; the Polish striker has scored 25 goals in the Spanish top flight, and he is trailing behind with 4 goals, and might miss out on the golden boot this season.

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 21 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.

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 12 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).

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 39 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 strikers in the world.

3) Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)

Despite being hounded by injuries this season, Kylian Mbappe continues to remain one of the best strikers 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 40 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.

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 has finally got his hands on his first ever trophy in his career.

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 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 27 goals and six assists in 37 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 teams, cementing his place as the best striker in the world. The player, with his performance and skill, earned the number one spot in our list of the best striker in the world 2025 edition.

Emerging Talents to Watch in 2025

Some of these players had a terrific last season for their club and country and continued 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 have enjoyed their breakout campaign.

Benjamin Sesko

What a player Benjamin Sesko has turned out to be for RB Leipzig! With 21 goals and 6 assists this season across all competitions, he has been in sensational form. Although his statistical numbers are much but his ability to turn playmaker time to time shows his skills. In the Bundesliga this season, he is averaging xG of 9.89 but has exceeded it with 13 to his name.

Lucas Stassin

Lucas Stassin has been making waves in the French top division with Saint-Etienne this season. The 20-year-old striker has scored 14 goals across all competitions for his club. The Belgian striker had a xG of 7.90, which he had comfortably crossed with 12 goals to his name in Ligue 1. Not to mention his playmaking skills, he has assisted 8 times this season.

Santiago Castro

Santiago Castro has been in impressive form for Bologna this season, with 10 goals and 8 assists in 45 games across all competitions. Although these statistical numbers don’t show his full capabilities and skills on the field. His ability to fake runs to break the defensive line, to connect passes, as well as his ability to contribute defensively, make him one of the best emerging strikers.

Jhon Duran

Unlike others on this list, Jhon Duran is currently plying his trade with Al-Nassr alongside one of the greatest footballers of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo. Before moving to the Saudi Pro League, he scored 12 goals in 29 games for Aston Villa, he continued his goalscoring spree in the SPL. Although he needs to work on his passing and playmaking skills a bit to succeed more, he is doing fine for now.

Ange-Yoan Bonny

Ange-Yoan Bonny, another youngster who has impressed everyone with his skills and work ethic. This season, the French striker has netted 6 goals while assisting thrice in 37 games across all competitions. Although he has underscored from his xG of 9.07 with 6 to his name but time with him, he will surely turn things around with his hard work and his skills.