7 for 7: The Best Strikers in World Football Right Now

In football, few positions carry as much weight as the striker. Goals win games, and the very best of them have the ability to turn matches in an instant, deciding titles, finals, and defining eras. A world-class striker must be clinical, intelligent, and adaptable—able to thrive under pressure and deliver when it matters most.

This is the debut edition of 7 for 7, a new series ranking the top seven figures in seven different categories across the pitch—including strikers, wingers, central midfielders, full-backs, centre-backs, goalkeepers, and managers. Each ranking is based on form, impact, and overall quality, building up to the very best in each position.

7. Omar Marmoush

After a relatively quiet few seasons in Germany, Omar Marmoush has exploded into life during the 2024/25 campaign, establishing himself as one of the deadliest forwards in Europe. The Egyptian international netted 20 goals and provided 14 assists in just 26 games for Eintracht Frankfurt, showcasing his ability not only as a prolific scorer but as a creator as well.

Predominantly used as a striker in Frankfurt, Marmoush has demonstrated his versatility, operating across the frontline and excelling as a second striker when needed. His skillset, versatility, and form have made him one of the most sought-after attacking talents, leading to a blockbuster £60 million move to Manchester City earlier this month.

City, fresh off one their worst runs of form in years, will be hoping Marmoush is the solution to their problems. With his ability to carve open defences and finish clinically, he could prove to be a game-changer in their bid to regain dominance.

6. Alexander Isak

Alexander Isak has gone from a promising young talent to one of the most feared strikers in the Premier League. After an impressive 21-goal campaign in his second season with Newcastle, he has stepped up another level this term, finding the net 16 times in his last 15 matches—a run of form that highlights his elite finishing instincts.

Isak thrives off intelligent movement and lethal precision in front of goal. He doesn’t need many chances to score, and while he isn’t the type to rack up assists, his ability to consistently be in the right place at the right time makes him invaluable. With Newcastle pushing for domestic success and European qualification, Isak has firmly established himself as their talisman.

His red-hot form hasn’t gone unnoticed, with major clubs such as Barcelona, Chelsea, and PSG reportedly circling. Newcastle will be reluctant to part ways with their star striker, but with his stock continuing to rise, his already hefty price tag is only going one way—up.

5. Viktor Gyökeres

The second Swede on this list, Viktor Gyökeres, suddenly took the football world by storm. While playing outside of the traditional ‘top five’ leagues, he has been nothing short of dominant in Portugal, finishing as the Primeira Liga’s top scorer last season and leading the charts once again this term—by a country mile.

His goal-scoring exploits aren’t limited to domestic football either. He has continued to shine on the bigger stage, proving himself in Champions League clashes and international fixtures. Gyökeres is a classic striker with a modern twist—powerful, aggressive, and relentless in his pressing, yet composed and clinical in front of goal.

With almost every top club in Europe’s major leagues tracking him, a big-money transfer this summer feels like a matter of when, not if. Sporting will struggle to hold onto their star forward, but wherever he goes next, he looks set to make a serious impact.

4. Kylian Mbappé

A generational talent, Kylian Mbappé has long been one of the world’s elite forwards, but his recent switch from PSG to Real Madrid has seen him transition from a left winger to a central striker. Though he started his La Liga career by going three matches without scoring, he quickly found his rhythm, scoring nine goals in his last eight games to bring his league tally to 15.

Mbappé is a lethal finisher with blistering speed, dazzling dribbling ability, and the intelligence to exploit any defensive weakness. Already an accomplished winner at both club and international level, the one prize that has eluded him is the Champions League—but with Madrid back on top of La Liga and determined to defend their throne in Europe, he may finally get his hands on the trophy this season.

Under Carlo Ancelotti, a manager who thrives on building teams that dominate Europe, Mbappé is now the focal point of an attack designed to restore Madrid’s formidable status. If his current form is anything to go by, he could soon have only one trophy left for the International Treble (World Cup, Euros, Champions League), joining fellow French legends Thierry Henry, Zinedine Zidane and Didier Deschamps on a very small list.

3. Robert Lewandowski

The oldest player on this list, Robert Lewandowski continues to defy time. At 36 years old, the Polish striker remains one of the most reliable goal-scorers in world football, boasting 29 goals in 31 games this season—a staggering return that highlights his consistency at the highest level.

Throughout his career, Lewandowski has been a model of professionalism and excellence, hitting 30 or more goals in all competitions in nine separate seasons. Even now, he shows no signs of slowing down, maintaining an incredible 0.81 goals-per-game ratio in the Champions League—a better rate than both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

The question now is, what’s next? Can Lewandowski sustain this level into his late 30s? For now, he remains an elite striker, but whether he stays in Barcelona or seeks a new challenge, his remarkable goal-scoring ability is showing no signs of fading.

2. Harry Kane

After years of near-misses and individual brilliance in England, Harry Kane’s move to Bayern Munich was seen as the final step toward silverware. In his second season with the German giants, Kane has been nothing short of outstanding, registering 23 goals and 10 assists in 25 games across all competitions.

The England captain and all-time top scorer for his country, Kane is a complete forward—clinical in front of goal, a superb passer, and one of the most intelligent strikers in world football. While he continues to chase his first major club trophy, his impact at Bayern is undeniable, and he remains one of the most well-rounded forwards on the planet.

1. Erling Haaland

The undisputed best striker in the world right now, Erling Haaland is a force of nature. His blend of power, pace, and finishing is unparalleled, making him the ultimate modern No.9.

Now in his third season at Manchester City, Haaland’s debut 36-goal Premier League campaign in 2022/23 still stands as the all-time record. This season, despite City’s struggles, he has still managed 24 goals in 32 games, proving his ability to deliver even when his team is below its usual standards.

His recent 9.5-year contract shows City’s commitment to building their future around him, and with a crucial Champions League playoff tie against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, he will be vital in deciding whether City can keep their European hopes alive. At just 24 years old, Haaland is not just a dominant striker—he’s a player destined to contend with the world's best for years to come.