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Scoring goals is the ultimate objective of football, and it is the job of the forwards to come up with the goods for their sides. That is the reason why strikers are always under the spotlight as compared to the other players on the pitch.
Earlier, strikers were required to be strong and quick, and their only task was to put the ball into the back of the net. However, modern centre-forwards are required to do more than just score goals. They need to get fully involved in the game by linking up with their teammates, and sometimes need to dictate the game by themselves on the pitch.
On that note, we pick three forwards who are arguably the best in the world right now based on current form:
#3 Erling Braut Haaland (RB Salzburg)
Erling Braut Haaland is one of the most lethal marksmen in world football at the moment. The 19-year-old has made a sensational start to the season, scoring an astonishing 26 goals in just 18 appearances across all competitions for club and country.
Not only is the teenager tearing up the Austrian League with RB Salzburg, he is also scoring against the best teams across Europe in the UEFA Champions League. The Norwegian - who is the son of former Leeds United and Manchester City man Alf-Inge Haaland - has seven goals to his name in just four appearances in Europe's elite competition and currently tops the goalscoring charts.
Haaland - who idolises Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic - was expected to become one of Europe's best by many; he was one of the most hyped talents in Norway. However, nobody expected that his rise to the top would be so meteoric.
The teenager has caught the eye of many of Europe's elite, and a big-money move to one of them in January or the summer transfer window seems inevitable.
Also check out: Champions league top scorers Champions League Schedule Champions League table
#2 Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
Raheem Sterling, who was deemed a flop by many during his initial years at Manchester City, has now transformed into one of the best footballers in the world. The 24-year-old has been a pivotal figure for both Manchester City and England over the past few years and has been performing consistently week in, week out for his club and country.
The Englishman has scored 14 goals in 17 appearances across all competitions for club and country combined this season, which is an incredible number for a player who is mostly deployed as a winger. Not only does Sterling score important goals for his side, he also possesses the ability to create opportunities for his teammates.
The 24-year-old averages almost two key passes every game and has three assists to his name already this season.
Sterling used to be one of the most criticized players in English football. However, he has worked his socks off to become one of the best players in the league and is now getting the respect he deserves - both from the fans and the media.
#1 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Is Robert Lewandowski the best forward in world football right now? Most would say yes.
The 31-year-old, who has long been regarded as one of the most deadly marksmen around, is currently THE most in-form forward in the world. The Polish hit-man has been in incredible goalscoring form this season and has already bagged 23 goals in 18 appearances across all competitions for club and country, which averages to more than one goal per game.
Lewandowski has scored six goals in this year's Champions League campaign and has entered the top 5 list of all-time goalscorers in the competition, which is an incredible achievement in itself.
The Polish striker seems unstoppable at the moment and if he continues his goalscoring form for the remainder of the season, he'll be one of the favourites to win the Ballon d'Or next year.
