It is no surprise that attacking players tend to be the centre of attraction, whether in the form of mega-cash transfers, front-page praise or collecting individual awards that seem to be in style.
Narrowing down the world’s best young forwards to a top 10 is a real challenge, but we had the opportunity to compile a list based on long-term success and their current ability level. We’re sure that some will probably disagree with us.
Here are the best strikers in world football right now in 2026:
20. João Pedro (Chelsea FC, Brazil)
João Pedro is one of the top attacking talents in world football right now. The Brazilian caught the eyes of major teams during his time at Brighton, which led to his move to Chelsea FC.
The centre forward has been in good form for Chelsea this season. Over the years, he has enjoyed a good rating in the EPL.
João Pedro played a significant role as Chelsea went on to win the Club World Cup in 2025. He is known for his versatility and can be deployed in attacking midfield and left wing.
19. Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah, Italy)
Mateo Retegui is one of the fastest rising players in world football. After producing a dominant performance in the Italian Serie A with Atalanta BC and winning the Serie A Best Striker for the 2024/25 season, he was on the move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah.
Mateo Retegui began his professional career with Boca Juniors before moving to Genoa in Italy and eventually earning a move to Atalanta.
18. Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa, England)
Ollie Watkins is considered to be one of the best strikers in the English Premier League. The England international has been a key part of the Aston Villa attacking strategy over the years.
Ollie Watkins is a highly rated forward and one of the driving forces in the Unai Emery team. He has been shown to be a consistent striker, scoring 19 goals in 37 appearances.
This season, Watkins has already made an impact on the team with his consistent goal contributions.
17. Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
Ousmane Dembele has been an outstanding player for Paris Saint-Germain, helping the club to domestic and continental success. He is known for his explosive and unpredictable tactics, combining his pace, power and flair.
The Frenchman is versatile and could be deployed in multiple positions from the wings and also as a second striker. He is an ambitious player capable of playing with both feet at high speed. His performance earned him the Ballon d’Or for the 2025 season.
16. Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr, Portugal)
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest footballers in world football, known for his consistency over the years. Having won major trophies across England, Spain and Italy, the Portuguese have continued to put on the show in the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr.
Ronaldo is one of the players with multiple Ballon d’Or awards, only second to Lionel Messi, who leads with eight awards.
In the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr, he has continued to be one of the top players with the most goal contributions since his move to the club.
15. Nick Woltemade (Newcastle United FC, Germany)
Woltemade is already making impressions in the Premier League with his showing for Newcastle United. His impact on the team has been significant with his superb goal contributions this season.
German was brought in as a direct replacement for Isak, who joined Liverpool in a big-money move. His scoring has surprised many, with a lot of expectations already on his shoulders for the seasons ahead.
Nick Woltemade is known for his work rate and could be a key player in the long run.
14. Omar Marmoush (Eintracht Frankfurt, Egypt)
Omar Marmoush is one of the new arrivals at the Etihad Stadium as Pep Guardiola seeks to strengthen his team with the best legs. The Egyptian was one of the best players during his Eintracht Frankfurt career.
In the Premier League, he has shown to be bold, electric, and sometimes unpredictable even though his performance is yet to match with that of his Eintracht Frankfurt days. That said, the forward is gradually adapting to the Pep Guardiola system.
Marmoush is known for his versatility as well as his pace and dribbling. He is a versatile player and can be deployed as a winger or a second striker or in other attacking roles.
13. Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan, France)
Marcus Thuram is one of the top-level and experienced players in the Italian Serie A, bringing his maturity to the team. The Frenchman has been a valuable addition to the team over the last couple of seasons.
12. Ferran Torres (FC Barcelona, Spain)
Ferran Torres has been one of the game changers in the Barcelona setup in the last couple of seasons. The Spaniard has been a key contributor in the offence since his €55.00m move from Manchester City in 2022.
Ferran Torres is a versatile player known for his ability to play as a centre forward or winger. His role at Barcelona allows him to thrive and maintain a high level of consistency in the team.
11. Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal FC, Portugal)
The inclusion of Viktor Gyokeres on the list is largely due to his top form at Sporting CP in the Portuguese top flight, where he won the league and earned several records, including the Taça da Liga top scorer, Primeira Liga Player of the Year and top scorer.
He has since moved to Arsenal and is gradually getting to his top form at the London-based club.
10. Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund, Guinea)
Serhou Guirassy is one of the best centre forwards in the German Bundesliga. Having established himself as a reliable goal contributor with Stuttgart, he switched to Dortmund and has since maintained a solid position as one of the key contributors in the team.
9. Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool FC, France)
Hugo Ekitike has had an immediate impact on the Liverpool first team since his £79 million move. The French star scored five goals in under ten league games this season. He is currently one of the main starters in the team.
8. Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Nigeria)
The list would be considered incomplete without the addition of Victor Osimhen, who has continued to prove his worth on the pitch. The Italian Serie A winner with Napoli is currently in the books of Galatasaray in the Turkish league.
The Nigerian has been unstoppable with his goal-scoring form and currently forms a key part of Galatasaray's attacking strategy in the Turkish football league.
7. Alexander Isak (Liverpool FC, Sweden)
Another star from the Premier League. Alexander Isak is one of the best strikers who plays equally well with the head and both feet.
He was a key player for Newcastle United, with his goal contributions helping the club to secure Champions League football and the League Cup.
However, he took a different path with the move to Liverpool FC, where he is yet to hit the ground running at Anfield.
6. Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan, Argentina)
Lautaro Martinez is the undisputed best forward in the Italian Serie A and has maintained his top form over the years. The Argentine has been part of Inter Milan's setup for several years, leading the club to two UEFA Champions League finals.
Martinez has been a brilliant forward for club and country, having won the FIFA World Cup with Argentina in 2022.
This season, he has picked up from where he stopped with his impressive goalscoring abilities and consistency in the Italian top flight.
5. Robert Lewandowski (FC Barcelona, Poland)
Robert Lewandowski is one of the biggest forwards in world football and has maintained his position over the years, from his days at Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich and now in Barcelona.
Lewandowski joined FC Barcelona in 2022 from Bayern Munich with an impressive record and multiple trophies, including the Champions League. He was arguably the best player in the world in 2020 and has continued with his high-profile performance over time.
4. Julian Alvarez (Atlético Madrid, Argentina)
Having played a crucial role in Manchester, where he won every bit of trophy from the English Premier League and FA Cup to the UEFA Champions League and the Club World Cup, he is considered to be one of the elite forwards in world football currently.
Julian Alvarez literally won every major trophy with both club and country after lifting the FIFA World Cup with Argentina in 2022. He is currently in the books of La Liga side Atlético Madrid, where he plays a lead role and is part of the club's strategy to remain competitive in the league.
3. Erling Haaland (Manchester City FC, Norway)
Haaland is already a football legend. What hasn’t been said about him? Partly a man, partly a robot, he is a goalscoring machine and the most lethal number nine in the game.
The Norwegian is scoring more than a goal per game for Manchester City following his big move from Borussia Dortmund last summer, although there has been some criticism of other aspects of his game.
Apart from individual awards such as the 2020 Golden Boy, Haaland is a two-time winner of the Austrian Bundesliga.
But in Manchester City, he gained real glory, winning the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and FA Cup.
2. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid CF, France)
Kylian Mbappe is taking the Spanish La Liga by storm with his breathtaking performance for Real Madrid in the 2025/26 season. The Frenchman has been a strong man, a goal scorer and a major contributor to the team.
He moved to Real Madrid in the summer of 2024 following the expiration of his contract at French giants Paris Saint-Germain. His initial contract would see him remain at the club until the summer of 2029.
Mbappe is also one of the most valuable footballers in the world, with his Transfermarkt rating in the region of €160.00m, with his highest valuation of €200.00m in December 2018.
1. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England)
Harry Kane is one of the biggest footballers in the world, known for his consistency and versatility. The striker was on the move to the Allianz Arena after a successful career in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur.
His move to Germany has yielded better results for the Englishman, who has already won the Bundesliga top scorer award twice in a row as the league's player of the year.
Harry Kane's arrival has brought significant change and stability to Bayern Munich's attacking strategy and the team's overall success in the domestic scene and in Europe.