FIFA 21 Career Mode: Best Strikers (ST & CF)

For many teams around the world, the star of the show is the striker. Those who get the goals can decide a match in an instant, with an elite-level striker capable of transforming a team’s season.

Following EA Sports’ massive reveal of player ratings for FIFA 21, we now know which strikers and centre-forwards are going to be the best in the game.

READ MORE: FIFA 21 Career Mode: Best Young Strikers and Centre Forwards (ST & CF) to Sign

There’s a full slate of all of the best players who play in the ST and CF position in FIFA 21 at the foot of the article. The players with the highest overall ratings feature in the main body of the piece.

Cristiano Ronaldo (92 OVR)

Team: Juventus
Best Position: ST
Age: 35
Overall Rating: 92
Nationality: Portuguese
Skill Moves: Five-Star
Best Attributes: 95 Jumping, 95 Reactions, 95 Finishing

Cristiano Ronaldo put together another fine season in 2019/20, even though Juventus seemed inhibited by the style of the new manager, Maurizio Sarri.

Playing predominantly on the left-wing, Ronaldo scored 37 goals and set-up seven more through 46 games, capping off the season by scoring his 100^th and 101^st international goals for Portugal.

Coming into FIFA 21, Ronaldo has been docked one point from his overall rating from the final update of FIFA 20, starting the new game primarily as a striker with a 92 overall rating.

With a high attacking work rate, 94 shot power, 92 ball control, and 95 jumping, you won’t think that you’ve got a 35-year-old up top if you manage to get the active legend to your club.

Robert Lewandowski (91 OVR)

Team: Bayern Munich
Best Position: ST
Age: 32
Overall Rating: 91
Nationality: Polish
Skill Moves: Four-Star
Best Attributes: 94 Finishing, 94 Positioning, 93 Reactions

Instead of Bundesliga defences getting better-accustomed to dealing with the 6’0’’ Pole, Robert Lewandowski continues to find that next level to score an inordinate number of goals each season.

In Bayern Munich’s latest silverware-hauling campaign, Lewandowski scored 55 goals in 47 games, teeing-up a further ten. Of the games that he played, there were only six league occasions when we didn’t see him celebrate adding to his tally.

Now 32-years-old, the FIFA 21 ratings do not indicate an increase in Lewandowski’s overall rating, with him remaining at 91 OVR, as he was at the end of FIFA 20’s cycle.

With Lewandowski on the pitch, you’ll want to make the most of his volleys (89), ball control (88), positioning (94), and, of course, his incredibly high finishing (94).

Kylian Mbappé (90 OVR)

Team: Paris Saint-Germain
Best Position: ST
Age: 21
Overall Rating: 90
Nationality: French
Skill Moves: Five-Star
Best Attributes: 96 Acceleration, 96 Sprint Speed, 92 Dribbling

Deployed across the frontline for Paris Saint-Germain this season, manager Thomas Tuchel eventually decided that Kylian Mbappé is best deployed as a striker in a front two.

In 22 games upfront for PSG, Mbappé notched 20 of his total 30 goals as well as 14 of his total 19 assists, likely cementing himself in a role that puts the French World Cup hero as close to the goal as possible.

Mbappé arrives as the FIFA 21 cover star, also receiving a slight in-game boost his overall rating to accompany his presence on the game case.

The 22-year-old boasts a 90 overall rating in FIFA 21, which is propped up by his near-immaculate 96 acceleration, 96 sprint speed, and 92 agility.

Sergio Agüero (89 OVR)

Team: Manchester City
Best Position: ST
Age: 32
Overall Rating: 89
Nationality: Argentine
Skill Moves: Four-Star
Best Attributes: 94 Positioning, 94 Finishing, 92 Reactions

Despite suffering two bouts of long-term injuries, Sergio Agüero still managed to accrue 23 goals and four assists in 32 games for Manchester City in 2019/20.

Now 32-years-old, the Argentine has been a Citizen since 2011 and is now entering the last year of his current deal at the Etihad Stadium.

As well as potentially being one of the best contract expiry signings in the first season of FIFA 21 Career Mode, Agüero is still one of the best strikers in the game.

With his 94 positioning, 94 finishing, 92 reactions, 91 balance, 91 composure, ad 89 shot power, you won’t have much trouble finding the back of the net when Agüero’s on the ball and in the box.

Karim Benzema (89 OVR)

Team: Real Madrid
Best Position: CF
Age: 33
Overall Rating: 89
Nationality: French
Skill Moves: Four-Star
Best Attributes: 91 Reactions, 91 Heading Accuracy, 90 Ball Control

If it weren’t for his involvement in a highly-publicised blackmailing scandal against compatriot Mathieu Valbuena, the French national side could boast Mbappé and Karim Benzema up top – as well as the likes of Anthony Martial, Olivier Giroud, and Antoine Griezmann to squeeze into the squad.

Benzema enjoyed a strong season for Real Madrid en route to winning the La Liga title for the third time in his career, netting 27 in all competitions while turning provider on 11 occasions.

The 33-year-old still holds a lofty rating in FIFA 21, weighing-in with an 89 OVR to stand as the best centre-forward in the new game.

The French forward’s best attributes include his 91 reactions, 90 composure, 90 ball control, 91 heading accuracy, and 90 positioning.

All the Best Strikers (ST & CF) in FIFA 21

Here’s the list of all of the best ST and CF players in FIFA 21, with the table to be updated with more strikers and centre forwards once the game launches in its entirety.

Looking for the best young players in FIFA 21?

FIFA 21 Career Mode: Best Young Left Backs (LB/LWB) to Sign

FIFA 21 Career Mode: Best Young Strikers and Centre Forwards (ST/CF) to Sign

FIFA 21 Career Mode: Best Young Centre Backs (CB) to Sign