Best strikers in the world 2024

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The likes of Eusebio, Pele, Ferenc Puskas and Ronaldo are among the most legendary strikers to have led the line... but who is the best in the world at this current moment in time?

After weighing up recent form, impact for club and country as well as long-term success, we've pieced together a top-10 list. It should come as no surprise that you'll probably disagree with a few of our picks.

RadioTimes.com brings you our definitive list of the 10 best strikers in the world in 2024.

10. Serhou Guirassy (Dortmund)

A whole host of strikers could have feasibly sneaked onto our list based on current form, but Guirassy has been at the top of his trade for more than a mere patch.

A relatively late bloomer, Guirassy bounced around a number of clubs prior to finding the net with regularity for Amiens and Rennes in Ligue 1. At Stuttgart, he netted 44 goals in 58 games and has started life at Dortmund in terrific form.

9. Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP)

Gyökeres' rise from Championship back-up to continental main man since the turn of the decade has been nothing short of staggering.

The Swedish striker failed to make a single Premier League start in four years with Brighton and endured a goalless 11-game loan spell at Swansea in 2020/21. Then he moved to Coventry, netted 40 in 97 for the Sky Blues, and earned a big switch to Sporting CP where he has struck almost a goal per game with more than 60 appearances to his name.

8. Alexander Isak (Newcastle)

The second Swedish striker on the list may boast an even higher ceiling than the last. Isak is one of the top forwards in the Premier League with a massive future ahead.

The 25-year-old made a breakthrough at Dortmund as a teenager but moved on to Real Sociedad, where he truly made a name for himself. He found the net 21 times in just 30 Premier League appearances for Newcastle last term. His movement is first rate and graceful, but his finishing is lethal.

7. Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)

Victor Osimhen established himself as one of the world's best strikers by guiding Napoli to Serie A glory in 2022/23 for the first time since 1990 with a shedload of strikes.

However, simmering tensions between the player and his club as transfer speculation swirled led to Osimhen eventually being cut from the squad. He secured a last-ditch loan move to Galatasaray in 2024 and will be highly sought-after in transfer windows to come.

6. Lautaro Martinez (Inter)

Lautaro Martinez broke the 20-goal barrier for the third season in a row last year – with the fewest appearances in a campaign since 2019 – and can lay claim to being one of the most complete forwards on our list.

Capable of dropping deep to link up play and running in behind, the Argentina international is a defensive nightmare and has racked up plenty of silverware for club and country.

5. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)

One of the deadliest marksmen in the game, Robert Lewandowski continues to find the back of the net with regularity in the twilight years of his career.

The Polish talisman bagged 23 goals in his first season for Barcelona to lead the club to La Liga glory – and he's continued that form into last season and the current one. A bit of a throwback, Lewandowski does his best work in the box thanks to his movement and finishing.

4. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)

We still can't really find a reason to drop Lionel Messi from the upper echelons of this list. Granted, he's playing in a weaker league in his twilight years, but his international form remains outstanding.

After inspiring Argentina to the biggest prize in the game at the 2022 World Cup, you could not blame the former Barcelona superstar for quitting the dramas of PSG for the glamour of Inter Miami. He remains an utter joy to watch and had an instant impact at his US club.

3. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

Seriously, has anyone checked that Erling Haaland isn't actually a robot sent from the far future to score goals? He is tracking at a rate of almost a goal per game for Manchester City following a blockbuster switch from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022.

As well as winning the 2020 Golden Boy award, Haaland has two Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy and FA Cup on his résumé after a stunning first two seasons at the Etihad.

2. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)

Ahead of Haaland... controversial? Yes. Correct? Absolutely. Kane's goalscoring record has been quite frankly ridiculous for Bayern Munich since his move, while his exploits at Tottenham, in a team that simply couldn't match his talent, look even more impressive in hindsight.

Spurs and England's all-time leading goalscorer boasts three Premier League Golden Boots and the 2018 World Cup Golden Boot on his mantelpiece. As well as being lethal in front of goal, Kane gets one over Haaland with his world class playmaking talent, his ability to drop deep and link up play.

1. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)

Finally, Mbappe has landed in a league worthy of his sky-high ability. The Frenchman's fast feet, rapid pace and deadeye finishing make him the world's best striker.

A hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final earned him the Golden Boot and his trophy cabinet is running out of space, although there is still room for the Champions League and a Ballon d'Or...

Who is the best striker in the world?

We're firmly in the post-Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo era, and PSG hotshot Kylian Mbappé emerges as the top dog thanks to his superior all-round game.

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Alex Harris