'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The glamour and glitz to the beautiful game of football is provided by the forwards. Their various skills, glorious dribbling, creativity and serial goal-scoring are a treat to the eye. It is the forwards who take all the limelight and they are the ones who tend to have the biggest fan following.
Being a forward isn't easy and it requires immense skill and talent, and above all dedication. Forwards dictate the terms of a game, and it is their goals that entertain football fans. A team with a good attack can win games on any given day and teams like Barcelona, Manchester City and PSG are prime examples of such teams.
Forwards attract a lot of interest in the transfer market, and it is them who get transferred for the big bucks. The most expensive and valuable players are forwards, and it gives us a clear idea that quality forwards are the most important players for a team.
On that note, here's a look at the top 10 forwards in the world.
#10 Paulo Dybala
Paulo Dybala is a top-notch footballer and has been touted by many as the next big thing in football. The Argentine maestro is capable of living up to that billing and has also been compared to his Argentine teammate, Lionel Messi on many occasions. The former Palermo player was the main man for Juventus till last season, but lost that position to new arrival, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Also Read: 5 Players who could be the next Messi
He can play in various positions and has experienced success in all those positions. However, when given an option, Dybala would choose the role of second-striker. The Juventus frontman has scored 9 goals and assisted 6 in 32 games this season, and has been a key player for them. He might not have the greatest of stats, but don't let them fool you because on his day, he can win games with utmost ease.
He has been a vital cog for the club, and has delivered the goals and assists when needed this season. It isn't just about the goals and assists with this bloke as he can contribute with his passing range and set-piece abilities. He is the complete package and hence, occupies the No.10 spot on the list.
Also see : EPL Transfer News, La Liga Transfer News
#9 Harry Kane
England skipper, Harry Kane is one of the best centre-forwards of his generation and is on the right track to achieve greatness. A goal-scoring monster, Kane has been instrumental in Tottenham Hotspurs' rise to the top. Harry Kane has scored more than 20 goals in each of the last 4 Premier League seasons, and has scored 16 this season. With 11 games left, one can expect him to cross 20 goals with maximum ease.
The 25-year-old is an aerial threat in set-piece situations and can himself score goals from direct free-kicks. He is good with both his feet and can also score from distance. The former Leicester City player is also very reliable with penalties and has a very high conversion rate. The former Arsenal youth player has scored 22 and assisted 6 goals in 34 games this season.
#8 Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard is a great player who has the ability to do inhumane stuff on the football field. He has been Chelsea's talisman since, 4-5 seasons and has always mesmerized viewers with his skills. His dribbling skills and creativity are a treat to the eye, and he is without a doubt, one of the most creative players in the world.
He creates a bucket-load of chances and averages 3 key-passes per game. He also has great speed and is also reliable in front of the goal. The former Lille player has scored 15 goals and assisted 11 in 37 games. He will have to play a key role in Chelsea's quest for a top 4 finish in the Premier League, and also has a key role to play in their Europa League campaign.
While he is a great player and many might be of the opinion that he deserves to be higher on the list, his inconsistency drags him down. He can be in the form of his life for 5-6 games, and in the next 5-6 games, the same player can go without contributing in a single goal. It is this inconsistency that has dragged him down to 8th position.
#7 Sergio Aguero
The former Atletico Madrid player joined Premier League club, Manchester City back in 2011 and has been a great servant for the club. He has consistently scored goals for the club and has scored more than 20 goals in 5 of the last 7 seasons. The Manchester City No.10 has already scored 18 this season and with more than 10 games to go, scoring 20 goals will be as easy as anything can be.
The Argentine star is very consistent and can guarantee the team a goal in almost every game. The centre-forward has scored 25 goals and assisted another six in 34 games this season. He is a clinical finisher and is also a good header of the ball, and has scored quite a few goals from headers. For a centre-forward, he is surprisingly creative and also enjoys dribbling.
#6 Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann plays for LaLiga heavyweights, Atletico Madrid. He has been their talisman since his arrival, and has delivered for them on many matchdays. While he isn't the best player statistically, his contribution to the team is unparalleled. A great set-piece taker, good passing range and expert finisher, are just some of his qualities.
The World Cup winner is a complete player, and one without whom Atletico will struggle. The Frenchman has scored 18 goals and provided 8 assists in 36 games this season. He started the season poorly, but has now found form and has gone on a scoring spree. He is a centre-forward by nature, but due to his physique, he can play as a second striker when there is a traditional No.9 in front of him.
The former Real Sociedad player deserves a lot more credit for the work he does than what he receives.
All stats via Transfermarkt
#5 Robert Lewandowski
Perhaps the best centre-forward in the world, Robert Lewandowski is a proven goal scorer. He has been a consistent goal scorer for Bayern Muenchen over the years and is a replica of the traditional No.9. Strong, tall, good finisher and physical, Lewandowski is a good header of the ball and has mastered the art of scoring goals. He has also increased his creative output this season and has 11 assists, compared to the 4 last season.
The Polish star has scored 27 goals in 33 games this season and is at his very best in the Champions League. He is the top scorer in the tournament this season, showing that he has the ability to perform at the top level. The former Borussia Dortmund striker has dominated the German Bundesliga over the last 5-6 seasons, and his consistency is simply unbelievable.
#4 Neymar
Neymar is an excellent player, and has the ability to become the best player in the world. He has a lot of tricks up his sleeve and can mesmerise viewers with his magical skills. He has the talent to become the best player in the world, but has been plagued by injuries over the last couple of years.
He suffered an injury last season, which ruled him out for nearly half he season. Even this season, he has been troubled by injuries and has missed many games. He is still ruled out for a month, which means that his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or are once again in danger.
The former Barcelona player has scored 20 goals and assisted 11 goals in 23 games. His playing style his very similar to Lionel Messi's style, and can go on to become as great as him.
#3 Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe is just 20 years old, and it is hard to believe that he is one of the best players in the world. He can literally do anything- score long range goals, create goals, score from headers and dribble his way to the goal. He has blistering speed, and is perhaps, the fastest footballer on Earth. He has the ability to do anything, and is like a mixture of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, showing his prowess.
The former Monaco player currently plays for Ligue 1 heavyweights, PSG. He is currently dominating the league, and has to move out to prove himself at more difficult levels. The Frenchman has scored 29 goals and assisted 14 times in 32 games. He has scored 4 and assisted 2 in 7 Champions League games, including a majestic performance against Manchester United.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo
One of the best players in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo is a legendary player, who has proved himself time and again at the biggest stage. Ronaldo has always performed at the highest stage, and never wilts under pressure. He has many records to his name and has also won the Ballon d'Or on 5 occasions.
He plies his trade for Serie A team, Juventus and has contributed in nearly 50% of their goals this season. He carried Real Madrid on their shoulders, and was a one man army for them. Without him, Real has struggled quite badly and has been knocked out of all competitions already.
He has scored 21 goals and assisted 12 in 35 games this season. He is adept with both his feet and can score from direct free-kicks. He is also an aerial threat from set-piece situations, and is the complete package.
#1 Lionel Messi
Ronaldo's sole competitor, Lionel Messi has enthralled fans for many years, and his battle with Ronaldo has been even more interesting. The Barcelona skipper is a great player, and has been involved in a goal every 50 minutes this season. He has been the best player this season by far, and is the front runner for the Ballon d'Or. He has already won the award a record 5 times, and could break the record and make it 6.
The Argentine sensation has scored 33 goals and assisted 18 goals in 34 games this season. His dribbling skills are sublime and with his pace, he is simply unstoppable. He can score goals from direct free-kicks and is perhaps, the best free-kick taker of this generation. He isn't just a serial goal scorer and is as creative as anybody. In fact, he is on top of the pile for both goals scored and supplying assists. Hence, there is no doubting his top spot on the list.
