At the End of September 2025, football’s forwards are rewriting the script with jaw-dropping goals, clutch performances, and game-changing flair. Leading the pack is Ousmane Dembélé, the newly crowned Ballon d’Or winner, whose sensational season with Men’s Club of the Year Trophy 2025 winner PSG has redefined what it means to be a top attacker.
From Kylian Mbappé’s relentless strikes to Lamine Yamal’s teenage wizardry, these players are the heartbeat of their teams, turning matches into spectacles.
This list of the best forward players in football for 2025 is curated based on goals, assists, impact in major leagues, and expert rankings from sources such as FWCN’s FC 100 and fan-voted polls.
List of the top 10 Best Forward Players in Football 2025
Table of Contents
This keeps the list at 10, focusing on forwards with goal impact + awards prestige.
Whether you’re a fantasy football enthusiast or a die-hard supporter, these names are essential viewing. Let’s dive into the top 10, ranked by their overall performance and influence this year.
| Rank | Player (Club/Country) | Key 2025 Stats & Why They’re Elite |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ousmane Dembélé (PSG/France) | 35 goals, 20+ assists; Ballon d’Or winner; Led PSG to Champions League glory with clutch semis strikes. The total package—pace, skill, and now hardware. |
| 2 | Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid/France) | 28 La Liga goals, 12 UCL; Big-game beast, but edged by Dembélé’s treble. |
| 3 | Erling Haaland (Man City/Norway) | 23 PL goals; Relentless finisher, but no UCL silverware this year. |
| 4 | Mohamed Salah (Liverpool/Egypt) | 22 goals, 18 assists; Fan-voted king, eternal clutch performer. |
| 5 | Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona/Poland) | 25 La Liga goals; Age-defying predator. |
| 6 | Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England) | 30 Bundesliga goals, 15 assists; Playmaking No. 9 supreme. |
| 7 | Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa/England) | 16 PL goals, 8 assists; Underrated workhorse. |
| 8 | Alexander Isak (Newcastle/Sweden) | 21 PL goals; Rising star addressing the striker shortage. |
| 9 | Raphinha (Barcelona/Brazil) | 20+ goals; Record-tying Barca hero, Ballon d’Or No. 5. |
| 10 | Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain) | 15 goals, 20 assists; 18-year-old phenom, Ballon d’Or runner-up. |
1. Ousmane Dembélé (PSG/France)
Ousmane Dembélé takes the No. 1 spot as the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner, a testament to his explosive season. The 28-year-old Frenchman delivered 35 goals and 20+ assists across all competitions, including 21 Ligue 1 goals and a match-winning strike in the Champions League semi-finals against Arsenal.
Dembélé’s two-footed dribbling, set-piece threat, and relentless pressing led PSG to a historic treble (Ligue 1, Coupe de France, UEFA Champions League).
The Guardian praises his “hard work and intelligence,” while Lionel Messi’s tweet—“You deserve it”—seals his redemption arc from injury-prone prospect to global superstar. Dembélé is France’s X-factor for the 2026 World Cup.
All the factors Ousmane Dembélé hold the Best Forward Players in Football list of 2025.
2. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid/France)
Kylian Mbappé is in 2nd position on our list as the ultimate forward in 2025, blending blistering pace, clinical finishing, and big-game mentality. Kylian Mbappé, ranked No. 7 in the Ballon d’Or, remains a goal-scoring juggernaut.
After joining Real Madrid, he led the Champions League scorers with 12 goals, including a hat-trick in the semi-finals, and notched 28 La Liga strikes. His versatility—thriving as a central striker or wide threat—makes him indispensable.
FWCN ranks him No. 2 among the best Forward Players in Football 2025 for his “spontaneity in flow state.” With France eyeing World Cup glory, Mbappé’s 2025 form cements him as the world’s most feared attacker.
3. Erling Haaland (Manchester City/Norway)
Erling Haaland‘s goal-scoring machine status shows no signs of slowing in 2025. The Norwegian powerhouse banged in 23 Premier League goals last season—second only to the league’s top scorer—averaging an astonishing 120.4 minutes per goal.
With his aerial dominance and off-ball runs, he terrorizes defenses and helps City clinch yet another title.
According to FWCN’s FC 100, Haaland sets the standard for center forwards in a world lacking elite No. 9s. Fantasy managers adore him as well, with his hefty price tag easily justified by his consistent point hauls.
4. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool/Egypt)
Mohamed Salah proves age is just a number, ranking as the top-voted forward in fan polls for 2025. The Egyptian King’s 22 goals and 18 assists in the Premier League highlight his evolution into a complete winger-forward hybrid.
His penalty prowess and crossing accuracy make him a fantasy goldmine, while Liverpool’s title charge owes much to his clutch performances. Social media discussions hail him as one of the “best players of 2025” for his balanced skill set in shooting, passing, and dribbling—closest to prime Cristiano Ronaldo.
5. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona/Poland)
At 37, Robert Lewandowski remains a predatory force, tying records with 25 La Liga goals in 2024-25. His positioning and finishing efficiency—scoring with nearly every chance—earned him No. 2 in FWCN’s center forwards rankings.
Bayern Munich’s all-time great has adapted seamlessly to Barcelona, adding aerial threat and leadership. Fan rankings place him third overall, underscoring his folklore status as one of football’s most prolific strikers.
6. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England)
Harry Kane’s move to Bayern has unlocked his full potential, with 30 Bundesliga goals making him the league’s top scorer in 2025. Ranked No. 3 by FWCN among center forwards, Kane’s playmaking (15 assists) sets him apart from pure poachers.
His clutch World Cup qualifying strikes for England add international pedigree. Despite Bayern’s Champions League exit, Kane’s consistency makes him a cornerstone for any forward line.
7. Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa/England)
Ollie Watkins is the Premier League’s unsung hero in 2025, smashing 16 goals and 8 assists to propel Villa into the top four. His reliability—15+ goals in three straight seasons—makes him a fantasy favorite at £9m, with penalties boosting his appeal.
According to FPL analyses, Watkins’ nailed-on starts and Villa’s favourable fixtures position him as the best non-Haaland premium forward. His work rate off the ball embodies the modern striker.
8. Alexander Isak (Newcastle United/Sweden)
Alexander Isak exploded in 2025, topping FPL forward points with 211 last season thanks to 21 Premier League goals. The young Swede’s blend of pace, skill, and finishing addresses the global center-forward shortage.
Newcastle’s European push relies on his hot streak, and with Liverpool links swirling, his value could skyrocket. Ideal for fantasy teams eyeing value and upside.
9. Raphinha (Barcelona/Brazil)
Raphinha’s breakout 2025 saw him tie Ronaldo’s Barcelona goal record, with off-the-charts numbers (20+ goals) fueling a domestic double. Brazilian football team Star ranked No. 5 in Ballon d’Or voting, his creativity and finishing shine in open play and set pieces.
As a versatile winger-forward, he’s lethal from set pieces and open play, making him a fan favorite in Brazil’s Copa América campaign.
10. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain)
At just 18, Lamine Yamal is the breakout star of 2025, ranking high in FWCN’s overall FC 100 for his dazzling wing play and finishing No. 2 in the Ballon d’Or race. His 15 goals and 20 assists helped Barcelona dominate La Liga, with viral moments like backheels and flicks showcasing his improvisation.
GiveMeSport calls him unstoppable, and his Ballon d’Or contention underscores a future GOAT in the making.
11. Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray/Nigeria)
Victor Osimhen rounds out the top 11 with his raw power and finishing, scoring 24 goals after his Napoli exit. Now a permanent Galatasaray star, he’s hailed as “one of the best centre-forwards” by peers like Alvaro Morata.
His aerial dominance and speed suit the modern game, with Super Lig exploits hinting at a big-5 return.
Honourable Mentions: Rising Stars and Veterans to Watch
- Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray/Nigeria): 24 goals; Aerial powerhouse dominating the Super Lig.
- Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan/France): 25 Serie A goals; Scored the quickest Champions League semi-final goal ever.
- Bukayo Saka (Arsenal/England): 18 assists; Wide forward with elite creativity.
- Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest/New Zealand): Surprise 20-goal season; budget fantasy gem.
Why These Forwards Define Football in 2025
The best forward players in football 2025, led by Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, combine goals, flair, and tactical smarts.
From PSG’s treble to Barcelona’s youth revolution, these stars are shaping the game ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Fantasy managers and fans alike can’t ignore their impact in leagues, the Club World Cup, and international stages.
