FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifiers: Top 10 goalscorers

#7 Sardar Azmoun (Iran) - 11 goals in 14 matches

Sardar Azmoun: The one for the future

Iran qualified for the World Cup for the second time on the trot, and the 22-year old youngster was at the heart of it. Starting alongside another prolific scorer Mehdi Taremi (8 goals), Azmoun, at such a ripe age, has already grown into an instrumental figure for Team Melli, registering an impressive 22 goals in 30 international caps.

As Iran finished at the top of the group in both rounds, undefeated, Azmoun weighed in with vital goals against South Korea, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and even against a resilient Syria on the final matchday to earn his side a point.

The Rubin Kazan outcast made his debut for the Persians just months after their Brazilian expedition ended with a whimper, and since then, there has been no stopping him. Averaging an eye-grabbing 0.73 goals per game, Azmoun is a talent earmarked for the future of Iranian football, and also the man to lead the line for them at the World Cups.

With Mehrdad Pooladi and Reza Ghoonchannejhad faltering in the recent days, the mantle has automatically fallen on the tender yet seemingly capable shoulders of Azmoun, who is already the fifth highest goalscorer of Iran. And don't forget, he's just 22.

So whilst he really is a precocious talent, now it's time for him to announce himself to the world on the biggest platform in Russia.