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Scoring goals is arguably the most difficult thing to do in the game of football. Hence, it is no surprise that lethal finishers are the most sought-after players in the sport. They also tend to command the highest transfer fees.
Goalscorers like Karim Benzema, Robert Lewandowski and Romelu Lukaku have been key in their teams' success over the past few seasons. Finishing ability is one of the most essential skills for a goalscorer, as putting the ball at the back of the net is a challenging skill to master.
On that note, here's a look at the five best finishers in world football right now.
#5 Kylian Mbappe
Along with Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe is tipped to take over the baton from Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi and dominate the game for the next few years.
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At just 22, Mbappe is already a FIFA World Cup winner with France, and has won the Ligue 1 title with two different clubs - Monaco and PSG. The Frenchman played an indispensable role in PSG’s run to the semi-finals of the 2020-21 Champions League. Mbappe racked up eight goals in the tournament, including a hat-trick against Barcelona and a brace against Bayern Munich.
The 22-year-old has enjoyed a flying start to his 2021-22 Ligue 1 campaign, bagging six goals and as many assists in 12 appearances. In the last few seasons, Mbappe has established himself as one of the generational talents of the game. He is pacy, lethal in one-on-one situations, and clinical in counters.
In 250 appearances across his club career, Mbappe has found the back of the net a whopping 169 times. The Frenchman also has 90 assists to his name.
#4 Erling Haaland
Borussia Dortmund’s star man Erling Haaland is a force of nature, and undoubtedly one of the most clinical finishers in world football right now.
Haaland has a mind-boggling goalscoring record in his relatively young career. He is known for his dominant physical presence while also being one of the fastest strikers in the continent. Haaland recorded a speed of 36.04 km/h in a Bundesliga game recently.
The 21-year has displayed maturity far beyond his years, and exudes composure and confidence in front of goal. After his exploits at RB Salzburg, many doubted whether he could make it big in one of Europe’s top leagues.
Since his move to Borussia Dortmund in the 2020 winter transfer window, Haaland has averaged over a goal per game. In 69 appearances for the German club, the Norwegian international has tallied 70 goals and 19 assists.
Haaland scored eight goals from six appearances in his debut Champions League campaign with RB Salzburg. He top-scored with ten goals in the competition last season. In 18 appearances in the competition thus far, the 21-year old has notched up 21 goals and three assists.
#3 Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi’s move to PSG in the 2021 summer transfer window caused a lot of buzz and excitement among fans worldwide.
Fresh from his Copa America glory, the Argentine embarked on a new challenge, parting ways with his boyhood club Barcelona after a 21-year association. Barcelona’s struggles in the 2021-22 season have magnified the importance of Messi in their squad. His goalscoring record for Barcelona is nothing short of astounding, even though he has taken some time to adapt to life in Paris.
The Argentine left Camp Nou with an astonishing tally of 672 goals and 305 assists in nearly 800 appearances across competitions. Messi’s left foot is probably the most remarkable in the history of the game, as he almost always find the target with his strong foot. The six-time Ballon d’Or winner can dribble past defenders at speed, and can pull the trigger anytime off either foot.
Even for an underperforming Barcelona side in the 2020-21 season, Messi registered 38 goals and 14 assists across competitions. The Argentine has endured a slow start to his PSG career, scoring only thrice in eight games across competitions.
However, Messi has averaged a goal per game in the 2021-22 Champions League. He has scored three goals in as many Champions League appearances for the Parisians.
#2 Mohamed Salah
On current form, Mohamed Salah is arguably the best player in the game right now. In the 2021-22 season, the Egyptian wizard has racked up 15 goals and six assists in just 15 appearances across competitions.
He has been one of the best dribblers and playmakers in the final third over the years. Salah’s finishing has reached new heights this season. He is currently providing tough competition to Messi for the best left foot in world football. Cutting on the inside and pulling the trigger on his left foot has become the Egyptian’s signature move.
Mohamed Salah has averaged almost two goals a game in the Champions League this season, bagging a return of five goals in four appearances. That included braces against Porto and Atletico Madrid, and a goal in Liverpool’s thrilling 3-2 win against AC Milan on Matchday 1.
The 29-year-old is currently under negotiation with Liverpool for a contract extension. His current form is making it very difficult for the board to say no to his reasonable demands. If the two parties don’t reach an agreement, many top clubs across Europe would be more than happy to snap up the prolific goalscorer.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
Even at 36, Cristiano Ronaldo remains one of the most clinical finishers in world football, averaging almost a goal per game in a misfiring Manchester United side.
The Portuguese superstar marked his second homecoming in stunning fashion, scoring a brace against Newcastle in his first game back at Old Trafford. Ronaldo has been restricted due to a lack of goalscoring chances created by the United players around him. However, he has still managed nine goals in 12 appearances across competitions.
Ronaldo has continued his domination in the Champions League this season as well. He is a significant reason why Manchester United are sitting atop their group. Ronaldo scored injury-time goals to secure a draw against Atalanta and helped collect all three points against Villarreal.
Out of his four shots attempted in the Atalanta game, three of them were on target. He also found the back of the net twice in that match. That was a prime example of Ronaldo’s lethal goalscoring ability and finishing prowess in big games.
