Top 10 strikers in the world right now

The aim of a football match is to score goals and these players definitely know how to find the back of the net. These goal-scoring machines are renowned for their goalscoring abilities and instinctive finishing which made them invaluable to their teams. Some of these strikers would almost be anonymous throughout the game before they popped up and scored a crucial goal.

There are plenty of amazing out and out strikers in the world of football right now and ranking the top 10 among them is no easy task. Without much ado, let us take a look at the top 10 strikers in world football right now:

Note: Wingers, false 9s or supporting strikers have not been considered. Ranking has been done based on performances in the calendar year.

#10 Diego Costa

Chelsea forward Diego Costa was definitely not at his best for Chelsea last season, but if his start to this season is anything to go by, the angry Spanish forward is one of the favourites to win the Premier League golden boot this season.

At the start of the 2015/16 season, Costa like most of the Chelsea squad struggled under Jose Mourinho, but ever since Conte has taken over, Diego Costa looks like a player reborn.

A player similar in playing style to Didier Drogba, Costa’s physical attributes and get in your face attitude has proved to be a nightmare for defenders in the Premier League and although he might step out of the line a few times, there is no question on the quality of Costa as a striker.

Diego Costa has scored 9 goals in 11 Premier League appearances and Conte and Chelsea fans will be hoping that Costa continues his good form for the rest of the season and guide Chelsea to the Premier League title.

#9 Edinson Cavani

Often maligned for missing plenty of extremely presentable chances, Edinson Cavani has been answering his haters by plundering goals left, right and centre for Paris Saint-Germain this season.

Ever since the departure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Manchester United, Cavani has thrived playing in the centre-forward position he covets and has scored an incredible 14 goals in 12 games this season.

A quick, strong, opportunistic and prolific forward with good technique, the Uruguayan forward is known for his tireless work-rate. Under Unai Emery’s tutelage, Cavani has started to rediscover his old goalscoring swagger and is starting to look like the world beater he was when he was at Napoli once again.

#8 Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku had a season to remember for Everton last year. The Belgian has been in amazing form having scored 25 goals in 46 appearances for the Toffees last season. The big Belgian did not get too much time to prove himself at Chelsea, but ever since he moved to Everton, Lukaku has shown that he is among the best strikers in the Premier League.

This season as well, Lukaku has started in blistering fashion having scored 14 goals in 23 appearances. Blessed with an imposing physique, quick feet, good dribbling and finishing skills, Lukaku is one of the most in-form strikers in the Premier League at the moment.

The big Belgian has been touted to achieve huge things in the future with Ronald Koeman himself saying:

"No one knows what will come after this season. If Romelu was to play at Everton until the end of his career, I know he has left something (behind). His potential is greater and higher than Everton, as a final destination."

If Lukaku keeps playing like the way he is, it is safe to say that he will soon be playing in one of Europe's superclubs.

#7 Jamie Vardy

The man who took English football by storm, Jamie Vardy definitely deserves his place on this list. Absolutely sensational this year, the England frontman defied all expectations and played like a champion throughout popping up with some stunning goals at crucial moments.

Vardy along with Mahrez and N’golo Kante were the architects of the fairytale triumph for Leicester City and the magnitude of Vardy’s performances can be seen by the respect Atletico Madrid’s star forward Antoine Griezmann had.

When asked about who are the top three players of this year, Griezmann made the surprise choice of Jamie Vardy in his top three.

“Cristiano Ronaldo first, as he’s won two titles, then Lionel Messi because he’s unique and after that maybe Jamie Vardy for winning the English title with Leicester.”

Although Vardy has not hit the heights of last season this time around, the Leicester City man’s performances this year definitely merit a place on this list.

#6 Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic made a high-profile move to Manchester United this summer, and although he has not been at his best at Old Trafford this year, the enigmatic Swede still remains one of the most threatening strikers in the world.

50 goals in 51 appearances for PSG last year made him one of the top marksmen in the world. Due to his prolific goalscoring and spectacular strikes, Ibrahimovic is regarded by many to be one of the greatest strikers of all time.

Often compared to Van Basten for his supreme finishing and athletic ability, Zlatan Ibrahimovic himself picked Ronaldo Nazario as his idol while growing up.

"The best opponent of my career? I've played against many, many good players, so I don't know who to keep. But I would say Ronaldo, 'El Fenomeno'. Why? Because he was my idol and because, as a football player, he was complete," he told Sports Illustrated.

"There will never, in my view, be a better player than him."

It is safe to say Zlatan Ibrahimovic has come close to matching his idol in his stellar career.

#5 Sergio Aguero

Arguably the best player in the Premier League, Sergio Aguero is considered by many to be the most talented striker in world football at the moment. The Manchester City forward is renowned for his strength, agility, pace and finishing skills with Lionel Messi describing Aguero as:

“A player with immense power, strength and an incredible work ethic."

If Aguero was not so injury prone, he would have easily been challenging for the Ballon d’Or award. Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand even considered him to be better than Suarez:

“For me now, at the moment, when he’s fit, Augero’s the best No.9 in terms of playing against, he’s a nightmare,”

“Normally, like [Luis] Suarez, I’ll push him on his left all day long and say ‘go on’, because I know he’s going to cut back on his right.

“But with someone like Aguero, he’ll take that left and push it, and it’s hard to get back a yard, especially against someone so quick in the box, and he bangs it with both feet, so for me he was the hardest to play against for a long time.”

The 28-year-old has made a blistering start under Pep Guardiola having scored 14 goals in 15 appearances this season and is quite clearly one of the best strikers in world football at the moment.

#4 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

15 goals in 15 appearances this season already, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is definitely one of the world’s most sought after forwards at the moment. One of the two outstanding strikers in the Bundesliga along with Robert Lewandowski, Aubameyang has played a major role in Dortmund’s rich vein of goalscoring form this year.

Known for possessing blistering pace, the talented forward has intelligent movement as well which enables him to get behind opposition defences. Aubameyang also possesses excellent acceleration being able to reach his top speed in few strides which makes him a nightmare to defend against.

His team-mate Neven Subotic said: "he is one of those players with the rare natural ability of immense speed. He is very difficult to mark. I would not like to defend against him and I don't know anyone who would."

With top clubs all across Europe (especially Real Madrid) interested in securing Aubameyang’s signature, Dortmund face a real battle on their hands to keep the talented Gabon international at Westfalenstadion.

#3 Gonzalo Higuain

Higuain was on fire this year. The Argentine almost singlehandedly guided Napoli to the Serie A title scoring an almost unbelievable 36 goals in 35 appearances before sealing a controversial move to Juventus for a fee of €90 million.

A hardworking striker and a prolific goalscorer, Higuaín is regarded as one of the top strikers of his generation, and is known in particular for his great striking ability, as well as his technical skill, and ability to hold up the ball and lay it off to other players. He is also known for his pace in the final third of the pitch, which makes him an offensive threat during counter-attacks.

At Juventus, Higuain has hit his straps almost immediately. 7 goals in 11 appearances along with a goal against old club Napoli has seen him quickly win over the Bianconeri Ultras and the addition of the Argentine striker has made Juventus one of Europe’s top clubs again.

#2 Robert Lewandowski

Probably the best finisher in the world right now, Robert Lewandowski is undoubtedly Poland’s and Bayern Munich’s star striker. The Polish forward always knows where the goal is and his 42 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern Munich last season proved to be crucial in their Bundesliga and DFB Pokal triumph.

Good in the air, good with both feet and deadly from the penalty spot, Robert Lewandowski is one of the most complete strikers in world football. 7 goals in 9 appearances for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga this season, Lewandowski has started this season right where he left off and he will be looking to outgun Aubameyang and Modeste for the Bundesliga golden boot award again this season.

An integral part of the almost invincible Bayern Munich side, Lewandowski will be hoping to take his game to new heights under new manager Carlo Ancelotti.

#1 Luis Suarez

The Barcelona number 9 has arguably taken his game to new heights ever since he completed a big-money transfer from Liverpool to Catalonia. Scoring and setting up goals for fun, Suarez even outscored Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann in the La Liga last season scoring 40 goals in 35 games, winning the Pichichi award.

Supremely talented and tenacious, Luis Suarez always gives more than a 100% on the pitch. Known for his direct running and skillful dribbles, Luis Suarez tormented defenders all over Europe nutmegging them at will and scoring some spectacular goals as well.

Suarez’s contributions are not only restricted to the attacking side of the pitch. Always a team player, the Uruguayan can often be seen flying into tackles and working hard for the team when Barcelona relinquish possession.

Although Suarez has had a modest start (by his high standards) to this season, there is no denying the fact that Suarez has been the best striker in the world this year.

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