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Goals win games, and that is the main reason why forwards are so expensive in the game of football.
Some of the best players in the world are regarded to be attackers, with their contributions often the difference between a win and a loss. Not many are able to maintain their quality for a sustained period of time, but the few that do are valued exceptionally highly.
The last decade has seen some of the best forwards in the world operate. With managers putting more emphasis on attacking and fluid football, the importance of top-quality forwards has never been as high as it is at the moment.
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We rank the 5 best forwards in the last decade.
#5 Robert Lewandowski
The best striker in world football right now, Robert Lewandowski has continued the form he displayed throughout the last decade for club and country.
Lewandowski joined Borussia Dortmund in 2010 from Lech Poznan and soon established himself as one of the best strikers in the Bundesliga. After winning the Bundesliga twice with Borussia Dortmund, the Poland international joined Bayern Munich in 2014 on a free transfer, in a deal that has to go down as one of the best bargains in football history.
For Bayern Munich, Lewandowski has made 329 appearances in all competitions, scoring 294 goals and providing 65 assists. The 32-year old has won seven Bundesliga titles and was the best player in the world during the 2019-20 season when Bayern Munich won the treble. He won the UEFA Men's Player of the Year for his performances that season.
#4 Neymar
Neymar is regarded as one of the best players in world football, and is a talismanic presence for both club and country.
A prodigious talent during his Santos days, Neymar joined Barcelona in 2013. Here, the Brazil international would become one of the best players in the world, forming a feared attacking trident with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. Barcelona romped to a treble with the trio leading the attack.
Neymar joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 for a world-record fee of £200 million. While Neymar was met with criticism after the move, the 29-year-old has done well with the Ligue 1 giants. While Paris Saint-Germain have been dominant domestically, Neymar helped them reach the Champions League final in 2020. He recently signed a contract extension with the club.
#3 Luis Suarez
Arguably the greatest No.9 of the modern generation, Luis Suarez was a force to be reckoned with during his prime.
His 2013-14 season with Liverpool is regarded as one of the greatest in Premier League history. Suarez scored 31 league goals and nearly led Liverpool to Premier League glory, only for the Merseyside giants to fall agonizingly short. A big-money move to Barcelona followed in 2014, and the Uruguay international formed the famed MSN trio of Lionel Messi, Suarez and Neymar.
Suarez made 283 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona, scoring 195 goals and providing 113 assists. With Liverpool, he won the Premier League Golden Boot and was awarded the Premier League Player of the Season for the 2013-14 season. With Barcelona, he won the La Liga Pichichi Trophy once. The 34-year old joined Atletico Madrid last summer and helped them win the La Liga.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo
One of the greatest players to have played the game, Cristiano Ronaldo is showing no signs of slowing down.
Ronaldo joined Real Madrid after a spectacular spell with Manchester United in 2009. The Portugal international would prove to be an excellent signing; during his time with Real Madrid, he won two La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies, and became the club's all-time top goalscorer.
The 36-year old joined Juventus in 2018, and has been their best player since then. With Juventus, Ronaldo has won two Serie A titles, and last season he won the Capocannoniere, the award for the top goalscorer in the league. For Portugal, he won the Euros in 2016, which has been widely acknowledged as a monumental achievement. To add to his numerous accolades, the forward has also won five Ballon d'Or awards.
#1 Lionel Messi
The greatest player to have played the game, Lionel Messi has been a true star for Barcelona and the Argentina national team.
A one-club man, Messi made his debut for Barcelona in 2004, and soon became an undroppable first-team player. He has won 10 La Liga titles with the Camp Nou outfit, as well as four Champions League trophies. Messi has scored the most goals in La Liga, and is regarded as Barcelona's greatest ever. Last decade, Messi was part of the feared MSN trio, which helped Barcelona win the treble under Luis Enrique's management.
For Argentina, the 34-year old is the country's all-time top goalscorer and highest appearance maker. Messi has won six Ballon d'Or awards, and is the favourite to win another one after winning the Copa America with his nation.
Also Read: Ranking the 5 best goalkeepers in the last decade
