An intriguing new report on the best centre-forwards in world football following the 2024/25 season.
Some great work from ESPN as they have gone into great detail on the best performers this past year.
ESPN naming the top 10 centre-forwards.
Amongst the 10 is one Newcastle United star.
Read below the list of all 10 and then the write-up from ESPN on Alexander Isak.
ESPN special report on the best 10 centre-forwards in world football following the 2024/25 season:
1. Kylian MBAPPÉ, Real Madrid/France, 26
2. Robert LEWANDOWSKI, Barcelona/Poland, 36
3. Harry KANE, Bayern Munich/England, 31
4. Erling HAALAND, Manchester City/Norway, 24
5. Lautaro MARTINEZ, Inter Milan/Argentina, 27
6. Alexander ISAK, Newcastle United/Sweden, 25
7. Julián ÁLVAREZ, Atlético Madrid/Argentina, 25
8. Viktor GYÖKERES, Sporting CP/Sweden, 26
9. Serhou GUIRASSY, Borussia Dortmund/Guinea, 29
10. Antoine GRIEZMANN, Atlético Madrid/France, 34
6. Alexander ISAK, Newcastle United/Sweden, 25
What makes him special: A lethal finisher with both feet.
Rank in 2024 FC 100 (all forwards): 18
One key stat: He scored the second-most goals in the Premier League this season (23), with his average of 120.4 minutes per goal also second best of any player in the competition.
Why he’s on the list: With a genuine shortage of world-class center forwards in the global game right now, Newcastle have one of the hottest in football with Isak — a young, prolific, proven goal scorer who is performing in one of the world’s top leagues. The Sweden international’s goals have already helped Newcastle end a 70-year wait for their first major trophy this season, toppling Liverpool 2-1 in February to claim the Carabao Cup, and only the Reds’ Mohamed Salah has scored more than Isak’s 23 goals in the Premier League this term. With so many clubs looking for a top striker, Isak’s value at Newcastle has rocketed.
Newcastle United Home Shirt 2025-26 Alexander Isak
What he says: “As I have said many times, I don’t really look too much or think too much about my future. I have said I am happy here and we are contenders for titles, which is what you want to win as a football player.”
What they say: “I feel that Isak has put himself into the ‘world-class’ category now, with his performances for Newcastle over the past two seasons. Along with Mohamed Salah at Liverpool and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, he is one of the three standout forwards we have got in the Premier League. He’s like an assassin, the way he puts chances away.” — former Newcastle United and England striker Alan Shearer
What’s next: The big question hovering over Isak is where he will be next season and whether Newcastle can hold onto the former Real Sociedad forward. The Magpies want to hand Isak a new contract — his deal runs until 2028 — but Liverpool and Arsenal are two clubs hot on his tail. Newcastle will have to show they have the ambition to chase the biggest trophies to stave off interest in their star player.’