Osimhen, Another Nigerian, Beat C. Ronaldo, Lewandowski in Latest World Best Strikers
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen and another Nigerian, Victor Boniface, have been ranked above Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski in the world's latest top 10 best strikers by SPORTbible.
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The latest ranking focuses on centre-forwards playing the number 9 role for their teams. A few of the world-class strikers are ranked above the Nigerian forwards.
The Punch reported that Osimhen recently bagged the 2023 African Footballer of the Year award after an impressive outing in his 2022/23 season with Napoli.
Source: Twitter
Below are the top 10 strikers by SPORTbible ranking:
10. Robert Lewandowski
The Poland player was one of the best strikers in the world for many years. He had his best forms at Bayern Munich, but the 35-year-old recently showed his class at Barcelona. Lewandowski was the top scorer in La Liga last season when he finished with 23 goals.
The Poland captain has scored 15 goals for Barcelona in the current season across all competitions.
9. Cristiano Ronaldo
Some may argue that the Saudi Pro League was not competitive enough, but the Portuguese international scored 54 goals for his country and club in 2023. He was the top scorer in the world for the year.
This season, C. Ronaldo has scored 21 goals for Al Nassr in 19 league games, while he scored four in six games in the AFC Champions League
8. Julian Alvarez
This season, the Argentina striker has played deeper roles in some instances. The World Cup winner is a number nine at heart, with a distinctive play.
When his teammate, Erling Haaland was battling injury, he provided the goals for Manchester City in their last season's treble-winning campaign and the 2022 World Cup victory by Argentina.
Alvarez has scored 14 goals for Manchester City this season in all competitions.
7. Victor Boniface
The 23-year-old Nigerian striker has become one of the most dangerous frontmen in the world, scoring 16 goals and eight assists for his club, Bayer Leverkusen.
Before getting his current injury, Boniface had been instrumental in the Bundesliga title race for his club, and he is still their top scorer despite missing actions for two months. Bayer Leverkusen is currently topping the Bundesliga table with 58 points after 22 matches.
6. Heung-Min Son
The Tottenham Hotspur striker and South Korea international has stepped up responsibilities since Harry Kane left the English club and was handed the captaincy. He has been instrumental in terms of goal and creativity.
This season, he has scored 12 goals and seven assists for Tottenham Hotspur.
5. Lautaro Martinez
One of the underrated strikers who made the top five on the list. The second Argentina striker is currently a top scorer in the Serie A with 20 goals this season, eight off the second and may lead Inter Milan to the Scudetto this season.
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Martinez was a member of Argentina's World Cup-winning team, and his form this season would place him on the radar of the biggest clubs in Europe.
4. Victor Osimhen
The African Footballer of the Year was one of the most sought-after strikers in the world after his shinning season at Napoli last year, where he led the team to win the league for the first time since 1999.
The Super Eagles striker was the top scorer in the Serie A last season with 26 goals.
However, he was yet to hit the same height this season as his side struggled in the league. He is expected to get a big move next season.
3. Kylian Mbappe
The French strike is a devastating forward with a strong pace and finishing. He played across the front three.
There have been reports of him moving to Real Madrid next season, which could bring him to win the Ballon d'Or.
His cumulative goals for France and PSG made him the second-highest goalscorer last season, finishing after Cristiano Ronaldo with 53 goals.
Mbappe scored 31 goals for PSG across all competitions and nine for France in the Euros qualifier.
2. Harry Kane
For a number of years, the England striker has proven to be formidable among the best strikers in the football world.
Following his move in the summer to Bayern Munich, the England captain has scored 28 goals in 29 games for his club.
1. Erling Haaland
During Haaland's debut season in the Premier League, he made a record-breaking impact by scoring 52 goals as Manchester City secured the treble.
The Norwegian striker has been confronted with injury this season, but he is back and has started making wonders.
He scored a brace during their clash with Everton, making him to have 21 goals in 26 games.
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Tinubu describes Osimhen as real "Idan"
Legit.ng earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu has commended Osimhen for helping his Italian football club, Napoli, win the Serie A.
Tinubu, in a literary tone, likened the success of Osimhen to that of King Charles III, who was crowned the King of England 2 days after Osimhen's victory.
With colourful words, Tinubu said that while the English were crowing their new monarch, the coronation of Osimhen as Serie A king was also at its peak.
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Source: Legit.ng
