With the long European season done, attention is quickly shifting to international football with the Euros set to keep football fans enthralled for the next month or so. There are some amazing names playing in this marquee tournament with all of them keen to win a major international honour for their respective countries.
Goals are what win matches and these players definitely know how to find the back of the net. Often the talisman of their respective sides, these players will be absolutely crucial for their countries. With some absolutely sensational forwards set to play in France, we take a look at the 10 best forwards who will play in Euro 2016:
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Note: Players have been ranked based on their ability to play as a striker and on their finishing skills
#10 Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)
With 25 goals and 16 assists, Romelu Lukaku has been one of the few bright sparks in Everton’s dismal season. The big Belgian did not get too much time to prove himself at Chelsea, but ever since he moved to Everton, Lukaku has shown that he is among the best strikers in the Premier League.
Belgium have a very talented squad and they are considered to be one of the favourites at Euro 2016. Belgium have quality options in attack with the likes of Divock Origi and Cristian Benteke, but they will be relying heavily on their star striker Romelu Lukaku.
Lukaku is also reportedly looking for a move away from Everton and he will know that a good performance in the Euros will go a long way in securing his dream move.
#9 Mario Mandzukic (Croatia)
Mario Mandzukic has had a mixed season for Juventus, but there is no doubt that the tall striker will be vital for Croatia’s chances at Euro 2016. The midfield duo of Luka Modric, and Ivan Rakitic will create a bucket load of chances and Manzukic is just the type of striker required to provide the finishing touches.
An excellent header of the ball, Mandzukic can create problems for any defender aerially. The Juventus’striker positioning is also very good and he always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Croatia have a really good squad this time and they will need Mandzukic to be at his very best if they are to have an impact in the Euros.
One of the most experienced members of the squad with 65 international caps, Croatia will be hoping that the Juventus target man fires them to the quarter-finals and beyond.
#8 Jamie Vardy (England)
The man who took English football by storm, Jamie Vardy has been absolutely sensational this season. The England frontman defied all expectations and played like a true champion throughout popping up with some stunning goals.
Leicester City’s star striker broke a long-standing record when he scored in 11 consecutive Premier League games earlier this season. With the work rate of a horse that never sees him tire, the 29-year-old has used his blistering pace to run at defences with a direct approach on the counter-attack to score, set up teammates and even win a penalty or two.
Jamie Vardy’s rise has truly been the stuff of fairytales and he has been one of Premier league’s best strikers this season finishing second in the race for the golden boot, just behind his England team-mate and Tottenham superstar Harry Kane.
#7 Harry Kane (England)
Harry Kane has proved this season that he is not a one-season wonder. The Tottenham frontman shouldered the goalscoring responsibility for his team and his goals were crucial in Tottenham’s surprise challenge for the Premier League title this year.
With 25 goals in 38 games, Harry Kane became the first Englishman since 1999/2000 season to win the Premier League golden boot. His intelligent runs, quick feet and clinical finishing has made him the best striker in England.
A front two of Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy can pose problems to any opposition defence in the world, and England will be hoping that the duo continues their good form in Euro 2016.
#6 Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden)
Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be playing his last major international tournament at the Euros and the charismatic Swede will be keen to ensure he ends it on a high. The maverick striker has been in stunning form for Paris Saint-Germain this season scoring an astonishing 50 goals in 51 appearances.
Zlatan is capable of single-handedly winning matches for his country and he is one of the few genuine stars in the Swedish line-up. No one would have forgotten the stunning 4 goal display which included the unbelievable overhead kick against Joe Hart and one would not be surprised if Ibrahimovic manages to repeat those heroics in the 2016 Euros.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be desperate to end his international career in style and a motivated Zlatan Ibrahimovic can be a huge problem for the opposition teams.
#5 Gareth Bale (Wales)
Easily the best player in the Wales side, Gareth Bale will have a huge role to play if Wales are to create an impression in the tournament. Allowed to play his more preferred central role for his country, Gareth Bale has been absolutely sensational for Wales in the qualification campaign putting in some amazing performances.
The confidence of being the undoubted star player of his side can make Bale play at his best and him playing in a central position has been key to Wales’ good run in the Euro qualifiers. His explosive pace, powerful shot and expert set-piece abilities are capable of troubling the best of defenders and Wales will be hoping for a special performance from Gareth Bale to create an impression in the tournament.
With Wales playing in a major international tournament after a long time, Gareth Bale will be looking to make the most of this wonderful opportunity.
#4 Antoine Griezmann (France)
Antoine Griezmann has been absolutely stunning for Atletico Madrid this season. The Frenchman is one of the best players in the world currently and his goals almost fired Atletico Madrid to the Champions League and La Liga titles.
In the absence of star striker Karim Benzema, Antoine Griezmann will shoulder much of the goalscoring responsibilities for the host nation. With 32 goals in 54 appearances, the Atletico Madrid forward has set the world alight with his finishing and France will be hoping he continues his good form in the Euros.
For the host nation to win the title, they will need Griezmann to be at his best.
#3 Thomas Muller (Germany)
A player who always steps up in the big tournaments, Thomas Muller will be one of the key players in Germany's young squad. The Bayern Munich player has an excellent record in major competitions and he is one of the few stars who is fit and in form for Die Mannschaft.
Muller has a natural eye for goal and his supreme finishing skills will be crucial for the Germans. They are a bit light in the striker department with Mario Gomez, Lukas Podolski and Thomas Muller himself being the only registered forwards by German coach Joachim Low.
Muller himself describes his role as Raumdeuter, a term that translates to "interpreter of space" . During 2014 World Cup, Germany manager Joachim Low stated that Muller "is a very unorthodox player and you can't really predict his lines of running, but he has one aim and that is 'how can I score a goal?" The German will definitely be one of the strikers to watch out for in Euro 2016.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
One of the two stand out footballers of this generation along with Lionel Messi, Ronaldo is one of the greatest players ever to play the beautiful game. Ronaldo’s goal scoring exploits have been mind boggling. He is able to play on either wing as well through the center of the pitch, making him a versatile attacker, capable of playing in any offensive position.
Ronaldo is known to be mentally sharp, with good vision and positioning, often predicting certain plays. He also possesses quick reactions, balance, and agility. Having a burning desire to be the best, Ronaldo has worked hard to hone his undoubtedly prodigious talent and become one of the greatest players ever to grace this game.
His goalscoring record is absolutely legendary and the three-time Ballon d’Or and Champions League winner will be looking to fire Portugal to the title.
#1 Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
Probably the best finisher in the world right now, Robert Lewandowski is undoubtedly Poland’s star striker. The Polish forward always know where the goal is and his 42 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern Munich proved to be crucial in their Bundesliga and DFB Pokal triumph.
Good in the air, good with both feet and deadly from the penalty spot, Robert Lewandowski is one of the most complete strikers in world football. Lewandowski will have huge pressure on his shoulders as he will be expected to make Poland win almost single-handedly, but as the striker has shown in the past, he seems to thrive in such situations.
The thought of Lewandowski in the opposition line-up will provide opposition defenders plenty of sleepless nights.
