A comprehensive list of some of the best strikers in the world in 2023
The need for a player who can comfortably lead the attacking line and score goals with regularity has made the role of a striker one of the most important in football.
It’s not a surprise that the forwards get the most praise and attention in a team, especially when they are getting the job done.
But who are the best strikers in the world at the moment? This list will take you through 11 of the best in 2023.
Best Strikers in the world
11. Mateo Retegui, Tigre
Born on April 29, 1999, Mateo Retegui is the latest sensation in Italy following his immediate impact in the Azzurri.
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Italy’s manager, Robert Mancini, has been a happy man after watching the 23-year-old repay the faith in him with two goals in his first two matches during the international break.
But his performance in those games was not a fluke as the Argentina-born striker has been sensational for his club, Tigre, where he is on loan from Boca Juniors.
He has scored an incredible 30 goals in just 53 matches, seven of which have come in just nine matches in 2023 and takes his place as one of the best strikers in the world.
10. Jonathan David, Lille
At 23, the Canadian star, Jonathan David has established himself as one of the best strikers in the world with his exploits in France. He has continued to impress at Ligue 1 club, LOSC Lille.
Known for his incredible speed and ability to link up superbly with others, David, who is on the radar of some of Europe’s biggest clubs, has scored 19 goals this season in the French Ligue 1 alone and assisted four more.
This puts him at par with former World Cup winner and PSG superstar, Kylian Mbappe, who has scored 19 goals as well.
David has proven to be a consistent goalscorer, having scored double figures in the last four seasons across Belgium (for Gent) and France.
09. Goncalo Ramos, Benfica
Born on June 20, 2001, the Benfica forward is the youngest of the best strikers in the world list at the age of 21.
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Goncalo Ramos has shown his potential for club and country and was one of the stars of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar for Portugal.
In just two starts, the youngster netted three goals and assisted one, in addition to the 19 goals he has contributed in 22 starts in the league for Benfica.
He has also been a key player for the Portuguese giants, helping the club book a spot in the last eight of the UEFA Champions League with seven and three assists.
08. Marcus Rashford, Manchester United
After struggling throughout the 2021/2022 season, Marcus Rashford looks rejuvenated and to be enjoying football again having carried his club on his young shoulders this season.
Playing with absolute confidence under the guidance of Dutch manager, Erik Ten Hag, the 25-year-old English star has been the main man for Manchester United this season.
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He has scored 15 non-penalty goals in the league this season for the Red Devils, with six more in Europe to fire United to the quarterfinal of the UEFA Europa League.
07. Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr
It’s difficult to write a list of the best strikers in the world without a mention of the man who continues to defile logic.
An unceremonious exit from Europe’s top five leagues given the painful breakup with his ex, Manchester United, has not stopped Cristiano Ronaldo after he found happiness in Saudi Arabia.
has become one of the stars for the Saudi Arabian side, Al Nassr, where he has scored 11 goals and assisted two more in just nine matches. But that’s not all.
The 38-year-old is still on fire for his national team, Portugal, with whom he recently set another record as he became the most-capped player of all time in the last international break.
He made his 196th and 197th appearances and marked the milestone with four goals in two matches to take his tally to a ridiculous 121 goals for Portugal.
06. Victor Osimhen, SSC Napoli
Nigeria’s colour at the elite level has been flown with panache by Napoli star, Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen has become a fan favourite and a hero of some sought football lovers in the Italian city of Naples.
Known for his athleticism, never-die attitude and finishing, the 24-year-old is at the front of Napoli’s quest to end a 33-year wait for the Scudetto in Italy.
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Napoli currently sit at the top of the Serie A and they have in part their Nigeria Super Eagles star and his goals to thank for that.
Osimhen has scored 21 goals in 23 appearances in the Serie A and also contributed to fire the club to a history quarterfinal place in the Champions League.
05. Harry Kane, Tottenham
The England captain is not just one of the best to have done it in the Premier League but remains one of the most prolific scorers at the moment.
He recently became the all-time goalscorer for Tottenham and England and has his eyes set on Alan Shearer’s PL record next.
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Despite a poor season by standards which has cost Spurs their manager, Antonio Conte, the 29-year-old has still managed to score 23 goals and assisted four more this season.
04. Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona
The former Bayern Munich net-buster has joined the list of veteran strikers in the world as he approaches 35.
Last summer, Robert Lewandowski swapped the German Bundesliga for the Spanish LaLiga after a sensational move from Bayern to Barcelona.
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But while his team has changed, it is the same lethal finisher as he has simply continued with the Catalans where he stopped in Bavarian - banging in goals.
The 34-year-old has scored 17 goals and assisted six more this season for Barcelona and before he moved to the club, he was presented with the Ballon d’Or to join an elite list of former great strikers who were so rewarded and recognised.
03. Karim Benzema, Real Madrid
Speaking of the Ballon d’Or, meet the current holder of the prestigious award, Karim Benzema of Real Madrid.
The main man at the Santiago Bernabeu following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and last season, he produced an excellent display which saw him lead Los Blancos to Champions League glory en route to taking home the Ballon d’Or.
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However, the current campaign has been blighted by injuries which have limited Benzema to just 17 appearances in the LaLiga. But he has still managed to bag 14 goals and provided three assists.
Renowned for his elegance on the ball and brilliance off it, the 35-year-old is back on the pitch for Real and has fired them to another cup final following an excellent hat-trick.
02. Kylian Mbappe, France
The position of the French and PSG megastar as one of the best in the world cannot be disputed at this moment.
Mbappe currently sits joint-top scorer in Ligue 1 with 19 goals and also scored seven goals in seven starts in the Champions League, even though his goals were not enough to take PSG beyond the first knockout round.
The 24-year-old is a complete package as far as strikers go, with his speed, tricky and finishing at a very high level.
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01. Erling Haaland, Manchester City
Topping this list is another striker known for his pace and clinical finishing, Erling Haaland.
Haaland, who joined English Champions City last summer, has been in blistering form for the club in all competitions.
He has scored more goals than games played this season for club and country and only injuries have tried to slow him down after over 40 goals this season across competitions.
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