Do Inter Milan have the best strikers in European football right now? Is Bayern Munich’s new star Harry Kane the best striker in the world or does that honor belong to Manchester City’s free-scoring ex-Dortmund man Erling Haaland?
Let’s take a look at the top five best strikers in world football right now as 2023 comes to a close.
5. Marcus Thuram, Inter Milan
Marcus Thuram was a very good footballer at Borussia Mönchengladbach, even if he didn’t receive anywhere near the mainstream attention he deserved.
Gladbach’s 2022/23 struggles held the Frenchman back, but he still generated plenty of interest on the free-agent market, with Inter Milan winning the sweepstakes.
Replacing 2020/21 Serie A MVP Romelu Lukaku is no easy task, yet anyone following Inter closely will tell you that Thuram may even be an upgrade on Lukaku. He’s just that incredible in his ability to create chances for teammates.
Already, Thuram has racked up seven goals and six assists, forming an almost telepathic partnership with Lautaro Martínez that is the envy of so many clubs around world football.
4. Erling Haaland, Manchester City
Erling Haaland broke the single-season goal-scoring record in the Premier League last season, even though it was just his first season since making the step up from Borussia Dortmund and the Bundesliga.
This season, Haaland hasn’t received as much universal praise and City are in an even tougher title race with more teams entering the fray, yet the goal-scoring numbers are still elite.
Haaland has 14 goals in 15 matches, putting him on pace to potentially break his own record in 2023/24. On top of all that, Haaland already has four assists, proving once again that he is a much better creator than given credit for being.
Far from than just tap-ins, the Norwegian sensation gets the job done for Manchester City in a number of ways, and he’s enjoying the additional layer of threat new winger Jérémy Doku has brought to the table.
3. Antoine Griezmann, Atlético Madrid
Right now, Antoine Griezmann is the best player in LaLiga, with all due respect to the likes of young guns Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid.
The 2018 World Cup hero has been in vintage form since last season’s permanent move back to Atlético Madrid from Barcelona.
Griezmann is producing playmaking efforts on par with any other forward in world football, and he’s also willing to put in the dirty work for Diego Simeone like never before.
Atléti may not be true title contenders in LaLiga right now because of the gap Real Madrid and Girona are putting on everyone else, but they are just as much a part of the conversation as Barcelona.
With 11 goals this season despite not being an out-and-out 9 for Los Rojiblancos, Griezmann is showing an even more refined side to his game as a scorer now that he is 32.
2. Lautaro Martínez, Inter Milan
With 15 goals in 15 starts, Lautaro Martínez is the favorite to win the Capocannoniere and is the biggest reason why Inter Milan sit in the driver’s seat of Serie A.
Even before the current campaign started, Lautaro was on a tear for the Nerazzurri, leading the charge as the club won the Coppa Italia and made it to the Champions League Final.
A more consistent finisher and an even better all-around striker than he was when he first broke out for Inter in 2019/20, Martínez is one of the best and most complete players at his position in world football.
The 26-year-old Argentinian international leads by example and even defends at a high level, causing chaos with his tireless intensity and ball-winning.
1. Harry Kane, Bayern Munich
There are no shortage of superlatives to describe Harry Kane. The new Bundesliga superstar is making it all look so easy for Bayern Munich, leaving club legend Robert Lewandowski in the dust.
Kane is a different level when it comes to his ability to get teammates involved and create chances. It is no coincidence that Jamal Musiala looks even better with Kane in the side, and Leroy Sané is having a career-year with the England captain.
Last season, Kane was arguably better than Erling Haaland in the Premier League, but because Tottenham were so awful, Kane didn’t get to produce the numbers or marquee performances to get that same respect.
Now, Kane is playing in a league of his own and setting records. In 14 Bundesliga matches, he already has 20 goals and 5 assists. That’s ridiculous. Lewa’s recent single-season scoring record may not stand for very long after all.
The managing editor of The Trivela Effect, Kevin has 15 years of experience in digital media. He has been an editor for NFL Spin Zone, Daily DDT for pro wrestling, Autzen Zoo covering the Oregon Ducks, Musket Fire covering the New England Patriots, The Real Champs covering Real Madrid, Old Juve covering Juventus, Rush The Kop covering Liverpool, and Release The Knappen covering Schalke. His work has been featured in ESPN, Bleacher Report, Yahoo! Sports, NBC Sports, and other outlets. You can contact him at the site’s official Twitter handle @TrivelaEffect or via the site’s official email thetrivelaeffect@gmail.com.