The countdown to Euro 2024 has begun, with less than a month remaining until the tournament kicks off. Football enthusiasts across Europe are eagerly anticipating the arrival of their beloved players, who are expected to dazzle the crowds with their exceptional performances in Germany this summer. The spotlight will be on the continent’s finest strikers, as fans hold high hopes for their remarkable displays on the field.
As is customary in the European Championships, teams will heavily rely on their top strikers to rise to the occasion and rescue them when needed. With Euro 2024 promising an abundance of goals, the forwards are anticipated to light up the scoreboard with their lightning-fast pace. In light of this, Sportsdunia has compiled a list of the 10 best strikers heading into Euro 2024.
10 Best Forwards in UEFA Euro 2024
1. Kylian Mbappé (France)
The French wonder boy has already demonstrated why he is the ideal successor to Cristiano Ronaldo, football’s goal machine. With 325 goals and 153 assists, Kylian Mbappé is already one of the world’s best forwards. He lit up the 2018 FIFA World Cup with a sensational performance, winning the tournament’s “Best Player Award” and leading his country to worldwide success at the age of 19.
After recently securing a free transfer to Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain, he will aim to lead the French squad to another big championship in Germany. He is undoubtedly one of the best strikers to see in the Championship.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
The striker from Al-Nassr is widely regarded as one of the most formidable attackers in the history of football. Despite being 39 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo has set a new record for the most goals scored in a calendar year in the Saudi Pro League, with an impressive 35 goals this season. Throughout his senior career for both club and country, the Real Madrid icon has scored a total of 893 goals.
Approaching the twilight of his career, Ronaldo is expected to retire following Euro 2024, but he will undoubtedly strive to maintain his exceptional goal-scoring form in Germany as well. Known as a goal-scoring machine due to his remarkable finishing abilities, Ronaldo is a key player for Roberto Martínez, who will heavily rely on him to deliver in crucial matches. Eager to end his career on a high note, Euro 2024 could be the perfect platform for Ronaldo to showcase why he is considered one of the greatest footballers in the world.
3. Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
Lewandowski’s last Euro appearance was a disappointment, as Poland was eliminated from the competition in the group stage after losing 2-3 to Sweden in their final match. However, the Barcelona striker is presently in red-hot form after an outstanding season in La Liga, where he scored 19 goals and assisted eight times.
He is his country’s all-time leading scorer, with 82 goals. As he has yet to win a major title for Poland, he will go all out in this summer tournament. The 35-year-old is a beast inside the penalty box, ranking among the best finishers of his generation.
4. Niclas Füllkrug (Germany)
Niclas Füllkrug, of Borussia Dortmund, has had a memorable season this year. The German attacker is now the most in-form striker, having contributed to his team’s success in all tournaments. Throughout the season, the superb finisher scored 16 goals and assisted 10 times for his side. Füllkrug, a brilliant striker off the ball, could be the key to Julian Nagelsmann’s Euro 2024 success.
5. Harry Kane (England)
The striker of the season in the Bundesliga was awarded to the English captain, who scored an impressive 36 goals in 32 games for Bayern Munich. Harry Kane, who transferred from Spurs to Germany, maintained his scoring prowess and emerged as the top scorer in the league during his first season with the Bavarians. With a total of 63 international goals to his name, he aims to increase his tally in Euro 2024.
6. Álvaro Morata (Spain)
In a star-studded Spanish contingent, Álvaro Morata has been granted the captain’s armband by Luis de la Fuente, recognizing his tactical and substantial presence in the playing XI. He will be tasked with overseeing goal contributions in the 2024 Euro, as the Atlético Madrid player is completely reliable in this regard.
The 31-year-old striker has been prolific this season, scoring 22 goals for the La Liga club. When Diego Simeone needed a goal, Morata was the man to provide it. He will surely bring his scoring experience to Germany in order to assist Spain advance through all stages of Euro 2024. His off-the-ball movement, clean striking, and heading will cause concern for Spain’s opponents.
7. Rafael Leão (Portugal)
Rafael Leão, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, is set to be one of Portugal’s top strikers in Euro 2024. The AC Milan forward has gained recognition in Serie A for his exceptional speed and physical prowess. With an impressive tally of 16 goals this season, Leão has played a pivotal role in leading his team to victory on multiple occasions. Alongside Ronaldo and João Félix, Leão is anticipated to penetrate the opposition’s defensive lines and make a significant impact in this tournament.
8. Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)
Lukaku has cemented his status as one of the premier strikers in Europe. The dominant forward has excelled as one of the leading goal-scorers this season, registering 21 goals and 4 assists in all competitions for Roma. With his impending role as the spearhead of Belgium’s attack in the Euro, it is evident that he will be a player to watch closely throughout the tournament.
9. Rasmus Højlund (Denmark)
The Danish striker stands out as a top-notch forward to keep an eye on during this Euro tournament. With his towering presence, he has successfully scored 16 goals for Manchester United in various competitions. Following Ronaldo’s departure, Erik Ten Hag showed faith in him, and the striker managed to step up to some extent. Denmark will surely make the most of Højlund’s remarkable off-the-ball movement and exceptional heading skills in Germany.
10. Bruno Petković (Croatia)
The Croatian forward, Bruno Petković, is poised to make a significant impact at the upcoming European Championships. Despite his exceptional performances this season, he remains one of the most underrated strikers in Europe.
Petković emerged as the top scorer for Dinamo Zagreb, netting 11 goals in 27 matches and guiding his team to victory in the league. His dominance continued in the Conference League, where he scored an impressive 7 goals in just 7 appearances. With the support of midfield maestro Luka Modrić and seasoned forward Ivan Perišić, Petković is expected to excel in front of goal for Croatia during Euro 2024.
