5 most well-rounded forwards in world football currently

#3 Karim Benzema

The Real Madrid striker continues firing on all cylinders

Karim Benzema is one of the finest ball-playing strikers in the world right now. The Real Madrid superstar is also among the most well-rounded forwards in the game.

What Benzema brings to the game is more than just goals and assists. His ability to drop deep and link-up with his teammates, hold on to the ball when necessary and pass it around accurately is quite unreal for a striker. The Frenchman is also a good dribbler on the ball, with decent vision and immense creativity.

Speaking of his numbers in front of goal this season, Benzema has recorded 24 strikes and nine assists to his name in 28 games across all competitions so far. With many games still left to be played, it remains to be seen how many goals and assists he'll end the campaign with.

#2 Mohamed Salah

By far the best finisher in the Premier League right now

Mohamed Salah ranks among the most prolific forwards in world football right now. He has 23 goals and nine assists to his name in 26 games across all competitions so far this season. However, the Egyptian doesn't only thrive in terms of goal contribution. His status as one of the most well-rounded forwards in the game is without a doubt.

Salah has incredible dribbling skills to match his sheer pace, combining them to create opportunities for his team out of nothing. The Egyptian also has great vision, decent passing, intelligent movement and tactical awareness. This allows him to be effective when he drifts into central areas.

#1 Lionel Messi

Arguably the most complete player in football history

When it comes to rating the most well-rounded players in world football right now, Paris Saint-Germain maestro Lionel Messi belongs in an exclusive class. The Argentine has had a slow start to life in France following his transfer from Barcelona last summer. He has scored just once in 12 league games and made six assists this season. But that takes nothing away from what he's known for doing on the pitch.

The Argentine has built his career as a team player right from his early days at Barcelona. He has only taken it to a whole new level over the last couple of years. Messi is arguably the most complete footballer in history.

Apart from scoring and setting up goals, the PSG superstar also thrives at dropping deep to control the tempo of games. Whether it is from the right or the center, Messi doesn't fail to storm opposition defenses, tearing them apart with his movement, dribbling and incisive passing.