In football, the number nine is the most recognisable position. Prolific center-forwards, who thrive under pressure, deliver when it counts, and carry their teams with their goal-scoring exploits, have been the foundation of the best teams in the world for decades. The number nine position has changed in modern football, with some strikers providing more than simply goals by pressing defenders, creating space for teammates, or dropping deep to link play. One thing hasn’t changed, though: goals win games, and top attackers are evaluated on their ability to score.
A lot of number nines have distinguished themselves in the 2024–2025 season by dominating the greatest leagues and performing on the biggest stages. While some have remained at the top of their game, others have become new football powerhouses in Europe. Their goal-scoring records, the calibre of the opposition they have faced, and their overall influence on their teams are the basis for this rating. Stats may be inflated by goals against inferior opponents, but the best teams stand out from the rest when they routinely score against the strongest teams in domestic leagues and European events.
These 12 strikers have established themselves as the most deadly finishers in international football as the season draws to a close. Each one of them has unquestionably made an impact on the 2024–25 campaign, whether it is by their extraordinary consistency, capacity to deliver in pivotal situations, or outright dominance in front of goal. These are this season’s top 12 football number nines.
12. Argentina’s Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martínez 🌦🇷
Since joining Inter Milan from Racing Club in 2018, Lautaro Martínez has developed into one of the most complete strikers in the world. Inter’s success, notably their 2020–21 Serie A title win and their 2022–23 Champions League final appearance, has been greatly attributed to the Argentine attacker.
Martínez has been Inter’s primary goal scorer this season, tallying 15 goals and dishing out six assists in 31 games across all competitions. He is a great asset in Simone Inzaghi’s system because of his ability to finish in a number of ways, connect up with midfielders, and press from the front.
Lautaro’s performance will be vital as Inter Milan pursues Serie A and Champions League success. He is one of the most dependable strikers in the game right now because of his leadership and consistency.
11. Patrik Schick (Czech Republic, Bayer Leverkusen)🌨🇿
Patrik Schick has had an up-and-down few years at Bayer Leverkusen due to injuries, but when fit, he remains a lethal goal-scorer. After missing much of 2022 due to a long-term injury, Leverkusen signed Victor Boniface as his replacement, but Schick has fought his way back into the team.
In a recent DFB-Pokal quarter-final against Köln, manager Xabi Alonso started Schick as the lone striker. With Leverkusen trailing 2-1, Boniface was subbed on in the 76th minute, and both forwards ended up scoring in a dramatic 3-2 win. While Alonso typically prefers to play with one striker, he has acknowledged the possibility of using both players together, stating:
“If we think they can link up and understand what the team needs, it’s an option.”
Schick remains a key part of Leverkusen’s title push and, when fit, is one of the most complete centre-forwards in the Bundesliga.
10. Jonathan David (Lille, Canada)
Jonathan David, who has been one of Ligue 1’s most reliable goal scorers in recent years, is still in high demand as his Lille contract expires this summer. The Canadian forward has scored 104 goals for Lille in all competitions and has scored ten goals or more in each of his five Ligue 1 seasons.
David has already scored 20 goals this season, placing him among the top attackers in Europe once more. The greatest teams in Europe have made him a top target because of his ability to time runs, connect with teammates, and finish with both feet.
According to reports, Barcelona is in the lead to sign him, and talks are already well underway. David has expressed his affection for the club in his own words:
“It’s a dream to play for a team you grew up cheering for.”
His performances have solidified him as one of the top attackers in the world at the moment, regardless of whether he is able to sign a contract to join Camp Nou.
9. Nottingham Forest, New Zealand’s Chris Wood 🌳🌿
Chris Wood is one of the few players who has surpassed expectations this season. The 33-year-old New Zealand international has been playing brilliantly for Nottingham Forest, helping the team maintain an improbable top-four campaign with 14 goals in 22 Premier League games.
Prior to making the deal permanent, Wood joined Forest on loan from Newcastle United in January 2023. He has only been with the team for a little more than two years, yet he has already surpassed Bryan Roy’s previous record as their all-time Premier League top scorer.
Since manager Nuno Espírito Santo took over in December 2023, his influence has only increased. Since Nuno joined Nottingham Forest, Wood has scored 25 of his 29 goals, demonstrating how successful the tactical system has been for the seasoned attacker.
8. Julián Álvarez (Argentina’s Atletico Madrid)🌦🇷
Julián Álvarez moved to Atletico Madrid, where he has finally been given the opportunity to shine as a first-choice striker, after spending a significant amount of his time at Manchester City as Erling Haaland’s backup. With 16 goals this season and a key role in Atletico’s assault, the Argentine forward has made the most of his increased playing time.
Atletico Madrid is now ranked second in La Liga thanks to Álvarez’s quick reflexes, pressing prowess, and deadly finishing. His collaboration with Antoine Griezmann has proven especially successful, as the two forwards fit in well with Diego Simeone’s scheme.
7. Borussia Dortmund, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy 🌬🌳
Serhou Guirassy has been a revelation this season and is among the most underappreciated strikers in world football. He plays in the Bundesliga for Borussia Dortmund and doesn’t get as much attention as players from larger teams, but his accomplishments speak for themselves.
The Guinean international has been incredibly reliable, with three assists and 18 goals in 26 games. He is one of Germany’s most dangerous strikers because of his ability to find space in the box and finish clinically.
Guirassy has scored goals against prominent teams, notably Barcelona in the Champions League group stage, demonstrating his abilities against formidable opponents. Even if Borussia Dortmund had a difficult game, Guirassy proved he was one of the finest in Europe.
6. Kylian Mbappé (France, Real Madrid)🌫🇷
For a number of years, Kylian Mbappé has been considered by many to be among the world’s top forwards, and his performances this season have only confirmed that opinion. Carlo Ancelotti, the manager of Real Madrid, recently called him:
“The world’s best striker,”
highlighting his capacity to outperform defenders and flourish in central locations.
Throughout his career, Mbappé has mostly played as a left winger, but this season, he has thrived when playing more centrally. He is a terror for defenders because of his speed, dribbling, and deadly finishing.
With 15 goals in 20 games so far this season, the France captain is among the leading scorers in La Liga, trailing only Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona. Real Madrid will need Mbappé to succeed as they aim for both domestic and European trophies.
This version reverses the rankings as asked, while keeping your structure, precise stats, and professional tone. If you require any other changes, please let me know!
5. Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich)🏴𠁧𠁢 åƠ��𠁧 ¿
Harry Kane’s transfer to Bayern Munich has only cemented his reputation as one of the greatest attackers of his age. With 31 goals in his first season, the England captain quickly adjusted to life in the Bundesliga.
Kane is one of the most flexible strikers in international football since he can score from within the box, long-range attempts, and even free kicks. But his lack of trophies is the one critique that has dogged him throughout his career. After Bayern Munich’s unexpected third-place finish in the Bundesliga the previous season, Kane’s hunt for a major club trophy persisted.
Things appear to be improving this season, as Kane is once again at the top of the scoring statistics and Bayern leads the table by 10 points. Kane could finally silence the sceptics who evaluate him based solely on his trophy cabinet if Bayern wins the Bundesliga and advances far in the Champions League.
4. Sporting CP, Sweden’s Viktor Gyökeres 🌸🇪
Viktor Gyökeres has become a sensation in the European football scene. He swiftly adjusted to the Portuguese division after joining Sporting CP from Coventry City and became as one of its most notable players. He is among the top goal scorers in Europe because of his physical presence and precision finishing skills.
With 22 goals and three assists in 18 Liga Portugal games this season—along with six in the Champions League and six in domestic cup competitions—Gyökeres is presently among the leads in the race for the European Golden Boot. His hat-trick against Manchester City, which put him on the largest stage, was one of his most striking displays in European games. A transfer to one of the top five leagues in Europe appears certain if he keeps up this pace.
3. Alexander Isak (Sweden, Newcastle United)🌸🇪
Alexander Isak has been compared to Thierry Henry ever since he joined Newcastle United, and for good cause. In front of goal, the Swedish forward has a special combination of speed, technique, and poise. His ability to open up his body for accurate strikes is reminiscent of the Arsenal icon, and his tall physique lets him easily slip past opponents.
Isak has scored 19 goals this season, repaying Newcastle’s belief in him. He is a continual threat on the game because of his self-assurance and confidence, whether he is playing off another attacker or leading the line. He has the potential to become one of the game’s most complete forwards if he keeps up this pace.
2. Manchester City, Norway’s Erling Haaland 🌳🌴
Erling Haaland is one of the few football players in history who has successfully blended knack for scoring goals with unadulterated athleticism. The Norwegian forward, who stands 1.94m (6’5″) tall and has lightning-fast speed, is a dangerous presence in the penalty area.
Despite Manchester City’s sporadic setbacks, Haaland has maintained his incredible form in the Premier League, scoring 25 goals so far this season. His finishing is unmatched, despite some claiming he lacks the all-around playmaking skills of other top strikers. With a goal-per-game ratio that is comparable to the greatest of all time, he is still the most prolific striker in world football at the young age of 23.
1. Robert Lewandowski, a Polish player from Barcelona 🌵🇱
Robert Lewandowski bravely moved to La Liga after dominating the Bundesliga for eleven years, and he has remained one of Europe’s most lethal strikers despite Barcelona’s patchy play. The Polish forward combines the best qualities of a contemporary center-forward, including deft movement, aerial control, and merciless finishing.
Lewandowski is not as physically strong as Erling Haaland or as explosive as Kylian Mbappé, but his effectiveness in front of goal is unmatched. He has already scored 30 goals this season and concluded the 2023–2024 campaign with 26 goals in all competitions. He is a problem for defenders because of his ability to finish with both feet and find space in confined spaces.
Many think that because the award was cancelled during the COVID-19 outbreak, Lewandowski was unjustly denied a 2020 Ballon d’Or. If it weren’t for that, he probably would have added the most coveted individual football award to his trophy. -filled career
