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Forwards are tasked with scoring goals and as such, they are the ones that usually steal the limelight. But is the job of a forward limited to putting the ball in the back of the net? Not at all. 'Forward' is a broad term and it means a player whose primary job is to help the team score goals.
Forwards need to have a lot of auxiliary abilities that help better their team's chances in the final third. The ability to take defenders on and beat them is one among those skills. The ability to orchestrate play or playmaking is a crucial part of their game too.
A forward should have an eye for a pass and possess the technical ability to execute his vision in cramped spaces in and around the area. Without further ado, let's take a look at five forwards who have the best passing ability in football right now.
#5 Antoine Griezmann - Atletico Madrid
Antoine Griezmann can play in a variety of roles across the frontline. He is one of the best forwards of his generation and is almost unplayable on his day. The Frenchman packs a lot of technical finesse and has an unbelievable passing range.
Griezmann is great at executing threaded throughballs, outside-of-the-boot passes and even rabonas. He has played the role of a second striker to perfection all throughout his career and that's down to his vision and ability to play killer passes.
The 30-year-old picks up a lot of assists thanks to his playmaking abilities. In 561 appearances across all competitions in his club career, Griezmann has scored 220 goals and picked up 85 assists. In the 2020-21 La Liga season, he registered a pass completion rate of 87.3% which is mighty impressive for a forward.
#4 Karim Benzema - Real Madrid
Karim Benzema is one of the best strikers of his generation. The Frenchman has been a loyal servant to Real Madrid since joining in the summer of 2009. Benzema has scored 281 goals and provided 147 assists in 562 matches across all competitions for Real Madrid.
Not only is Benzema an elite finisher but he is also an excellent passer of the ball. He had no qualms playing the supporting role when Cristiano Ronaldo assumed the position of the main goalscorer during the duo's time together at Madrid.
Benzema is excellent at link-up play and that is, in no short part, thanks to his excellent technical abilities. In the 2020-21 La Liga season, Benzema clocked a pass completion rate of 84.6%. It is quite astounding for a player who spends the majority of his time in the final third navigating tight spaces.
#3 Harry Kane - Tottenham Hotspur
Harry Kane is one of the most well-rounded strikers in the world. Not only can he score all kinds of goals and shoot with both feet, but he can also stitch passes together and create chances for his teammates.
Kane scored 23 goals and provided 14 assists from 35 appearances in the Premier League in the 2020-21 season. He won both the Premier League Golden Boot and the Playmaker's Award last term for topping both the goals and the assists chart.
Harry Kane has established a great relationship with his fellow forward Son Heung-Min. They share a telepathic connection on the pitch. Kane and Son are so effective together as both of them are technically sound campaigners who can pick a pass.
Kane's passing and playmaking abilities are so good that even when he is not scoring, there is a lot he can contribute to his team.
#2 Neymar Jr. - Paris Saint-Germain
It's hard to find players who have as much natural flair for the game as Neymar has. The Brazilian typifies the street-smart, quick-thinking version of football we've all come to love and enjoy. Neymar is a joy to watch and that's owing to his technical finesse on the ball.
Hidden in Neymar's arsenal are tricks, flicks and some wonderful passes. He showcases great vision but more importantly, he has the ability to pull off passes that could be inconceivable to many.
In recent times, Neymar has shown a desire to drop deep before carrying the ball forward and threading some incisive passes for the likes of Mbappe to chase down. His passing ability is reflected in the high number of assists he has registered throughout his career.
In his club career, Neymar has scored 262 goals and provided 163 assists in 437 appearances across all competitions.
#1 Lionel Messi - Paris Saint-Germain
Was this ever up for debate? Lionel Messi is the closest thing we have to a complete footballer. Not only is he one of the greatest dribblers the game has ever seen, he is also one of the most wonderful passers of the ball.
All that La Masia seasoning has done Messi a world of good. He sees movements and picks up runs that no one else does. He also has an incredible passing range which allows him to pull off some mind-blowing passes.
If Messi does lose a yard of pace over the next few years, he could easily slot into central midfield thanks to his passing ability and spatial awareness. In 778 appearances for Barcelona across all competitions, Messi has scored 672 goals and provided 305 assists.
