Who comes to mind when you think of clinical finishing? Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane, and Karim Benzema are a few examples of strikers who lead the line. But how do they rank among the top strikers in the world this 2023/24 season? Let's take a look.
10. Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)
Call the Saudi Pro League what you want in terms of competition. But one thing is sure: Cristiano Ronaldo still ranks as one of the most elite strikers in the world.
The 38-year-old still brings it every match, scoring 12 goals in 11 appearances for Al Nassr this season.
9. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
He may be in a temporary drought at Barcelona, but Robert Lewandowski still shows razor-sharp instincts for goal. The Polish striker notched 23 goals in 34 league games en route to Barcelona's La Liga triumph last season.
The 35-year-old is still on the mark this campaign, scoring six goals in 13 appearances. The third-highest goal scorer in Champions League history will be Barcelona's main striker for seasons to come. Defenders still must beware of Lewy inside the box!
8. Lautaro MartĂnez (Inter Milan)
The Argentine forward has emerged as one of Serie A's most feared strikers, scoring 20 goals in consecutive seasons. He also combines a warrior's spirit with a poacher's instincts in front of the goal, a crucial ingredient to Argentina's latest success as Copa America and World Cup champion.
7. Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
He may not be as prolific as some of the goalscorers on the list, but Gabriel Jesus is a No. 9 that deserves to be on the list. When healthy, Jesus is a dribbler extraordinaire who works incredibly hard off the ball for his teammates.
He provided the initial spark the Gunners needed last season to become title contenders. Can he help deliver Arsenal the Premier League title this season?
6. Karim Benzema (Al-Attihad)
The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner makes the list even if he decided to wrap up his iconic career at Real Madrid and head to the Middle East. It's pure momentum.
He made up for Cristiano Ronaldo's absence at the Santiago Bernabéu by scoring 44 strikes in 46 matches during the 2021/22 season. While it may be hard to define Benzema's style of player, his finishes ooze class. And he'll continue his goalscoring addiction for Saudi Pro League's Al-Attihad.
5. Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
He was named Serie A's best striker of the 2022/23 season. The Prince of Napoli, Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, is the first Nigerian player to make the top 10 of the 2023 Ballon d'Or rankings.
He's the Rolls Royce of attackman, and he could very well find himself in the Premier League very soon.
4. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
One could argue that sharpshooter Harry Kane has been the best striker for years. Once deemed a “one season wonder” in 2014, he scored 278 goals during his 19-season Spurs career. Now the England international is tearing it up for Bayern Munich, striking 19 times in just 15 appearances. He had three hat tricks after ten games.
3. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
Lionel Messi, the most recent Ballon d'Or recipient, is neither your traditional striker nor a winger. He's a number 10 that offers everything up front.
Messi is the system, and he's still showing magic at 35, most recently displayed in Argentina's World Cup triumph.
2. Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
Real Madrid may have nixed him from their plans after pursuing him for three-plus years, but Kylian Mbappe is still one of the world's best strikers.
He single-handedly brought France back in the World Cup finals with a hat-trick. He may have lost that one, but he won the one prior as a teenager, where he also became the youngest ever to score a goal in the final along with Pele.
Mbappe needs a Champions League trophy and Ballon d'Or to add to his resume. Should he maintain the dazzling pace and electricity and perhaps leave PSG for a higher-caliber club, the answer is more surely yes.
1. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
By his standards, he's gotten off to a slow start this 2023/24 season. But Erling Haaland still tops the list. The Norwegian plays in the best league in the world in the Premier League, and still scores bangers.
Next year's 2024 Ballon d'Or winner? Probably, if Mbappe has nothing to say about it.
Photos: Instagram/HarryKane, erling.haaland
