5 best strikers according to the Ballon d'Or rankings?

It is a bit late, isn’t it? But perhaps that serves the purpose of this as this is somewhat of an in case you missed it sort of article. As most know, Ballon d’Or has been concluded and Cristiano Ronaldo has won the award for the 5th time – equaling Messi’s record in the process.

There was never really any doubt that anyone apart from the iconic duo consisting of the Portuguese and Lionel Messi wouldn’t win the prestigious title. However, this Ballon d’Or, we got a glimpse of how the event could look like in the future.

Apart from the obvious trio of Neymar, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, some other players fared very well too. The strikers, especially, found their kind in abundance – and here are the 5 best strikers according to the Ballon d’Or (note that only the pure central strikers have been considered for this slider)…

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#5 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

The Gabonese international, who is known for his blistering pace and slick finishing abilities, finished the Ballon d’Or race as the 21st best player in the world. The Borussia Dortmund striker finished with 14 points under his name and ranks as the 5th best striker in the world.

The former Milan youngster scored 40 goals from 46 games last season and started this season where he left off in the last one. With 20 goals from 21 games, he has been in lethal form and among the very few shining the light for the German club.

While his all-around abilities might be questioned – he is often labelled as a speed-only striker with decent finishing skills – he has ensured that he finds his place among the very best in the world with what he has. If the Gabon captain can continue playing the way he is, he might rank a little higher by this time next year.

#4 Luis Suarez

Suarez has been misfiring this season

He might be one of the most controversial players of all time, but what can’t be denied is that he is a bloody brilliant footballer. Signed for €82.3 million from Liverpool, he hit the ground running after serving his ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini.

If you keep all his biting, diving and racist remarks apart, Luis Suarez is one fine player. The Uruguayan can score goals from everywhere and is an outright threat within the box. The former Ajax star scored 37 goals from 51 games last season.

However, he has started this season slowly with only 6 goals from 19 games, but that hasn’t stopped him from ending up as the 4th best striker on the Ballon d’Or list and the 13th best player in the world with 27 points.

#3 Edinson Cavani

Cavani is the main scorer at PSG

Well, what new can I say about Edinson Cavani? The Uruguayan was always a highly rated striker but became reserved in an unnatural role on the wing. However, after the departure of the Swede, it seems as though the Phoenix has risen from the ashes.

So far this season, the former Palermo forward has scored 23 goals from 21 games – the highest by any striker in Europe’s top 5 leagues – and is on fire with the help of team-mates, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.

Last season, Edinson Cavani scored 49 goals from 50 games in all competition. However, his goals didn’t mean much as his side couldn’t win any major trophies. But with the likes of Mbappe and Neymar around him, he might just get a few team trophies to his cabinet and as a result, improve on his current standing – 11th best player in the world 32 points – this time next year.

#2 Harry Kane

More than a one-season wonder

When an English player does well, the media go all gaga over him. And in most cases, it turns out to be a false dawn. Jack Wilshere, for example, was seen as England’s answer to Xavi, but he has not done enough to be considered at even half of the Spanish maestro.

In the case of Harry Kane, however, the opposite has been true. The Spurs star was thought to be a one-season wonder by many sections of the media, but he has done more than well for the last four seasons and, hence, has been recognised in the Ballon d'Or rankings.

According to this year’s Ballon d’Or rankings, Harry Kane is the 10th best player in the world and also the best English player right now. With 32 points, Kane has been recognised as the second best central striker in the world at the moment.

Who knows, if he continues this form while also helping his team win something, he could be higher up on that list.

#1 Robert Lewandowski

Lewandowski is an epitome of a true number 9

Before I start this, let me remind you once again that this list doesn’t feature forwards that don’t lead the line. As a result, the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Paulo Dybala haven’t been included here since the former is an inside forward from the wings and the latter is a second-striker behind the main number 9.

And this brings us to the best striker in the world according to the latest Ballon d’Or rankings: Robert Lewandowski.

The Pole has been one of the most lethal strikers in the world for as long as I can remember. He scored 43 goals from 47 games last season and has begun this season with the same venom. In 23 games, he has scored 20 goals and is among the frontrunners in the Golden Boot race.

With 45 points beside his name, he is ranked as the 9th best player in the world and is the only Bayern Munich player in the top 10.