The best of the forwards on show this summer.
With just a week to go until the 2014 World Cup in Brazil starts fanatix thought we should take a look at the 10 best strikers who will be strutting their stuff at the tournament.
10. Wayne Rooney, England
The Manchester United forward sneaks in ahead of the likes of Mario Balotelli, Mario Mandzukic and Jackson Martinez due to his superior form at club level.
However, to be considered a true great Rooney needs to start transferring those displays with the Red Devils to the international stage.
9. Karim Benzema, France
The French appear to have alternately good World Cup campaigns and after crashing out in the group stage in 2010 this should be their year.
One man who will be a real asset is Real Madrid ace Benzema, who although sometimes overshadowed at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu is a truly top-class performer.
8. Edinson Cavani, Uruguay
It has been something of a difficult first 12 months at Paris Saint-Germain for Cavani since becoming their club record signing after a £52.7m transfer from Napoli in 2013.
Despite that the 27-year-old is still a superb striker and makes up part of a formidable Uruguayan attack.
7. Neymar, Brazil
For one of the first times in the nation’s history the Brazilians don’t have a talismanic No.9 leading the line for them.
However, in Barcelona ace Neymar they do have a 22-year-old forward who is considered to be among the finest players on the planet.
6. Sergio Aguero, Argentina
In a season where Manchester City won both the Premier League and the League Cup, Aguero frustratingly spent large chunks of it injured.
Yet when the 25-year-old did take to the pitch he was often prolific and will play a big part in any success the Argentinians have this summer.
5. Robin van Persie, Netherlands
Arguably Louis van Gaal is taking one of the weakest Dutch squads in recent memory to the World Cup, but they do still have some standout performers.
One of those is this United ace, who like Aguero suffered with injuries in 2013/14 but was still sharp in front of goal when he took to the pitch.
4. Diego Costa, Spain
Has shot up this list after a superb year with Atletico Madrid in which the 25-year-old scored 37 goals in all competitions.
Although Costa has been capped twice by Brazil he has now converted to be a Spanish international and the hosts may come to rue this decision.
3. Luis Suarez, Uruguay
Alongside Cavani this Liverpool superstar makes up perhaps the most formidable attacking partnership in international football.
Suarez is struggling with a knee injury and his country will be hoping after scoring 31 league goals in 33 games last term the 27-year-old is ready for the competition.
2. Lionel Messi, Argentina
Usually guaranteed for top spot this talented Barca forward has been knocked off for the time being, but still of course possesses almost superhuman talent.
If Messi helps his nation to World Cup triumph then the 26-year-old will surely be regarded as one of the greatest the sport has ever seen.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
Yet top of the pile is an attacker who helped Madrid to Champions League and Copa del Rey triumphs last term and also won the Ballon d’Or himself.
Ronaldo has a heavy burden for his nation after essentially single-handedly dragging them to this tournament via the playoffs.
SEE ALSO: The 50 best players of 2013/14!
