Kane 1st, João Pedro 7th: Where Victor Osimhen ranks among the world’s best strikers

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has been named as one of the top ten strikers in the world, and it is just a testament to the quality he has displayed for club and country in recent years, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Nigerian marksman is arguably the best striker in Turkey at the moment, having led Galatasaray to the Turkish Super Lig title in back-to-back seasons. In his first year at the club, he won the Golden Boot award. But he missed out last year, as he could only manage 15. However, that was due to injury problems that limited him to just 19 starts in the league.

Still, this summer, the 27-year-old marksman has attracted a lot of attention from top clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Arsenal, and Manchester United. But none of the talk has materialized on just yet.

Meanwhile, in a fresh ranking of the best strikers in the world according to ESPN, the Nigerian striker was ranked 9th. He made the list alongside some of the biggest names in the game, but ahead of several established stars. Bayern Munch star Harry Kane claimed the No. 1 spot, while Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland completed the top three.

Victor Osimhen Ranked Ninth

ESPN placed Victor Osimhen at No. 9, one position above Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike and two places behind João Pedro who is 7th.

The Nigerian striker is highly regarded for his ability to consistently create shooting opportunities and threaten defences with his pace, movement and physicality.

Osimhen has averaged at least four shots per 90 minutes for five consecutive seasons, while he produced at least 1.05 combined league goals and assists per 90 in three of the previous four campaigns.

His 2025-26 Champions League campaign was particularly impressive, with Osimhen scoring seven goals, his highest tally in a single Champions League season.

He was also instrumental as Galatasaray secured notable victories over Liverpool and Juventus, which was proof that his goalscoring numbers in Turkey can translate to the highest level of European football.

Who Finished Above Osimhen?

1. Harry Kane – Bayern Munich

Kane sits at the summit after another outstanding spell at Bayern Munich. The England captain's goalscoring numbers remain exceptional, but his ability to drop deep, create chances and link play has also made him one of the most complete forwards in football. Last season, he contributed 61 goals and seven assists in 51 appearances across all competitions.

2. Kylian Mbappé – Real Madrid

Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé is one of the most dangerous forwards in the world. His pace, finishing and ability to operate across the front line continue to make him a nightmare for defenders. Last season, he registered 42 goals and seven assists in 44 appearances. Mbappe also turned heads at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a brilliant return of ten goals and four assists.

3. Erling Haaland – Manchester City

Manchester City star Erling Haaland remains the archetypal goalscoring machine. The big Norwegian's ability to convert chances at an extraordinary rate means he continues to set the standard for out-and-out No. 9s. Haaland is a terror for defenders, he is fast, physical, and operates smartly.

4. Ousmane Dembélé – Paris Saint-Germain

Dembélé's inclusion in this list just shows his evolution into a more central attacking role. He started his career as a winger, but he has morphed into a striker under the tutelage of Luis Enrique, while keeping his versatility and creativity.

The former Barcelona man is the main man at PSG. And last season, he contributed 20 goals and ten assists in 40 appearances to guide his side to a second-consecutive Champions League title.

5. Julián Álvarez – Atlético Madrid

Argentine marksman Álvarez combines goalscoring with creativity and versatility. His Champions League record is particularly impressive, having reached 25 goals in the competition in just 41 appearances. He is a fox in the box, can strike from range, and play as a number 10. He is the total package.

The other strikers who complete the top ten are Lautaro Martinez, Kai Havertz, Joao Pedro, and Hugo Ekitike, who is tenth.

The fact that Osimhen is ranked below players like Pedro, Dembele, and Havertz is not much of a surprise given the fact that he plays in Turkey. However, a move back to one of Europe's elite leagues would give him another opportunity to prove himself on a weekly basis against the continent's best defenders.

At 27, Osimhen is still entering the prime years of his career. His Champions League performances have already shown that he can deliver against elite opposition. The challenge now is to produce that level of consistency over an entire season at one of Europe's biggest clubs.