Best Second Strikers of 2024: The second striker role is important in modern football. It needs a mix of creativity, good finishing, and tactical awareness. These players usually play behind the main striker. Their job is to connect the midfield with the attack, create chances, and score goals too.
Best Second Strikers of 2024
In this article, we will discuss the top 20 second strikers who have made a big impact on the game.
20. Sebastiano Esposito
- Date of Birth: 2 July 2002
- Height: 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
We start our list with Sebastiano Esposito. His flair and technical skill make him an impressive second striker. With quick movements and a sharp eye for goals, he finds and uses spaces between defenders well.
Esposito’s ability to play in different roles also helps his team, as he can drop back to create chances. This makes him a valuable player in attack.
In the 2023/24 season, he played 23 matches, scored 6 goals, and provided 6 assists.
Sebastiano Esposito Stats Season – 2023-2024:
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serie B | 22 | 6 | 6 |
| Serie B Play-off | 1 | – | – |
| TOTAL | 23 | 6 | 6 |
19. Peque Fernández
- Date of Birth: 4 October 2002
- Height: 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
At 19th on the list is Peque Fernández. His dribbling skills and accurate finishing help him play well even in tight spaces.
Peque’s creativity and ability to connect with teammates are important parts of his game, making him an active and effective second striker.
In the 2023/24 season, he played 41 matches, scored 19 goals, and provided 3 assists.
Peque Fernández Stats Season – 2023-2024:
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| LaLiga2 | 40 | 18 | 3 |
| Copa del Rey | 1 | 1 | – |
| TOTAL | 41 | 19 | 3 |
18. Cristo
- Date of Birth: 24 October 1997
- Height: 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
At 18th on the list is Cristo. His smart positioning and quick finishing make him a dependable goal-scorer.
Cristo’s hard work and playmaking skills let him drop back to help connect plays, offering strong support to his team’s main striker. In the 2023/24 season, he played 6 matches and scored 1 goal.
Cristo Stats Season – 2023-2024:
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ligue I Pro | 4 | – | – |
| CAF Confederation Cup | 2 | 1 | – |
| TOTAL | 6 | 1 | – |
17. Conor Chaplin
- Date of Birth: 16 February 1997
- Height: 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Conor Chaplin is 17th on the list. His quick feet, agility, and smart positioning make him a dangerous second striker and goal threat.
Chaplin is versatile and can play as an attacking midfielder, winger, second striker, or forward. He started at Portsmouth’s academy in 2003, debuted in 2014, and helped them win the League Two title in 2016–17. After stints at Coventry City and Barnsley, he joined Ipswich Town in 2021.
In the 2022–23 season, he scored 26 goals, winning the Golden Boot. In 2023/24, he played 47 matches, scored 13 goals, and made 9 assists.
Conor Chaplin Stats Season – 2023-2024:
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Championship | 44 | 13 | 9 |
| EFL Cup | 2 | – | – |
| FA Cup | 1 | – | – |
| TOTAL | 47 | 13 | 9 |
16. Nicolò Cambiaghi
- Date of Birth: 28 December 2000
- Height: 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
At 16th is Nicolò Cambiaghi. His technical skills and creativity make him a standout second striker. With great dribbling and a sharp eye for goal, Cambiaghi can quickly impact a game.
His versatility lets him play in various attacking roles, adding depth to the offense. In the 2023/24 season, he played 37 matches, scored 1 goal, and provided 5 assists.
Nicolò Cambiaghi Stats Season – 2023-2024:
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serie A | 37 | 1 | 5 |
| TOTAL | 37 | 1 | 5 |
15. Sheraldo Becker
- Date of Birth: 9 February 1995
- Height: 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
At 15th on list is Sheraldo Becker. His speed and power make him a strong second striker, excelling in one-on-one situations and using his pace to beat defenders. He consistently scores and assists, proving his value as both a goal-scorer and a playmaker.
Becker began his career with Ajax’s reserve team in 2013, later playing for PEC Zwolle and ADO Den Haag in the Eredivisie. In 2019, he joined Union Berlin in the Bundesliga and, after four and a half years, moved to Real Sociedad in 2024.
He is known for his goal-scoring, creativity, and work ethic, showing skill in passing, dribbling, and pressing. In the 2023/24 season, he played 36 matches, scored 6 goals, and made 4 assists.
Sheraldo Becker Stats Season – 2023-2024:
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| LaLiga | 15 | 2 | 2 |
| Bundesliga | 11 | – | 2 |
| UEFA Champions League | 6 | 2 | – |
| DFB-Pokal | 2 | 1 | – |
| Copa del Rey | 2 | 1 | – |
| TOTAL | 36 | 6 | 4 |
14. Rafa
- Date of Birth: 17 May 1993
- Height: 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
At 14th on the list is Rafa Silva. His sharp movements and excellent ball control make him an effective second striker. He links up play well, provides key passes, and scores regularly, showing his attacking skills.
Silva’s agility and vision make him a crucial player in any attack, and he’s considered one of the best in the world.
He started his career at Feirense, moved to Braga in 2013, where he scored 26 goals in 127 appearances and won the Taça de Portugal in 2016. That year, he joined Benfica for €16.4 million, winning three Primeira Liga titles. In June 2024, he transferred to Beşiktaş J.K.
Silva is a great goal-scorer, finding the net from various positions. He also works hard defensively, pressing to regain possession. In the 2022/23 season, he scored over 14 goals, helping Benfica win multiple titles. In the 2023/24 season, he played 52 matches, scored 22 goals, and provided 15 assists.
Rafa Stats Season – 2023-2024:
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liga Portugal | 30 | 14 | 12 |
| UEFA Champions League | 6 | 2 | – |
| Europa League | 6 | 2 | – |
| Taça de Portugal | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| Allianz Cup | 3 | – | 1 |
| Supertaça | 1 | – | 1 |
| TOTAL | 52 | 22 | 15 |
13. Gonçalo Guedes
- Date of Birth: 29 November 1996
- Height: 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
At 13th is Gonçalo Guedes. He is known for his dynamic attacking style and versatility, playing as both a forward and a playmaker. His speed and finishing make him a constant goal threat.
Guedes played 13 matches for PSG before joining Valencia, where he scored 36 goals in 178 games and won the Copa del Rey in 2019. In 2022, he signed with Wolverhampton Wanderers for £27.5 million.
Guedes has 57 youth caps for Portugal and made his senior debut in November 2015. He played in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and scored the winning goal in the 2019 UEFA Nations League final. In the 2023/24 season, he played 33 matches, scored 3 goals, and provided 3 assists.
Gonçalo Guedes Stats Season – 2023-2024:
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| LaLiga | 17 | 3 | 2 |
| Liga Portugal | 9 | – | – |
| UEFA Champions League | 2 | – | – |
| Europa League | 2 | – | 1 |
| Allianz Cup | 2 | – | ` |
| Taça de Portugal | 1 | – | ` |
| TOTAL | 33 | 3 | 3 |
12. Stoichkov
- Date of Birth: 5 November 1993
- Height: 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
At 12th is Stoichkov. He is known for his electric pace and dribbling skills, making him a dangerous second striker.
Stoichkov can cut inside from the wings and take on defenders, adding strength to his team’s attack. His goal-scoring ability and creativity are valuable for any forward line.
He played more than 170 games in the Segunda División and scored over 60 goals for Mallorca, Alcorcón, Sabadell, and Eibar. Before that, he played in lower leagues until he was almost 25.
In the 2023-2024 season, Stoichkov scored an impressive 42 goals in 12 matches. With his current form, he has the potential to become an even better player in the future.
Ademola Lookman Stats Season – 2023-2024:
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| LaLiga2 | 39 | 12 | 7 |
| Promoción a LaLiga | 2 | – | – |
| Copa del Rey | 1 | – | – |
| TOTAL | 42 | 12 | 7 |
11. Giacomo Raspadori
- Date of Birth: 18 February 2000
- Height: 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
At 11th is Giacomo Raspadori. He is a talented second striker with a great eye for goal. His vision and finishing make him a reliable scorer.
Raspadori is a young and promising player, known for his speed, agility, and scoring ability. He is also skilled at passing and dribbling.
In the 2023/24 season, he played 47 matches, scored 6 goals, and provided 3 assists.
Giacomo Raspadori Stats Season – 2023-2024:
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serie A | 37 | 5 | 3 |
| UEFA Champions League | 8 | 1 | – |
| Supercoppa Italiana | 1 | – | – |
| Italy Cup | 1 | – | – |
| TOTAL | 47 | 6 | 3 |
10. Christopher Nkunku
- Date of Birth: 14 November 1997
- Height: 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
At 10th is Christopher Nkunku. He is a versatile and creative second striker, able to play in different attacking roles. His skillful dribbling, vision, and goal-scoring ability make him a key player for his team.
Nkunku started at Paris Saint-Germain. He won three Ligue 1 titles and other cups with the club. In 2019, he moved to RB Leipzig, scoring 70 goals in 172 appearances and winning the DFB-Pokal twice.
Nkunku was named Bundesliga Player of the Season in 2021–22 and was the league’s top scorer the next season. In 2023, he signed with Chelsea for £52 million.
He had an impressive 2022-23 season, scoring 23 goals and providing 9 assists.
Nkunku works hard on the field and is willing to defend. At just 25 years old, he has a lot of potential to grow even more. In the 2023/24 season, he played 14 matches and scored 3 goals.
Christopher Nkunku Stats Season – 2023-2024:
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 11 | 3 | – |
| EFL Cup | 2 | – | – |
| FA Cup | 1 | – | – |
| TOTAL | 14 | 3 | – |
9. Maksim Glushenkov
- Date of Birth: 28 July 1999
- Height: 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
At 9th is Maksim Glushenkov. He is known for his technical skills and ability to create chances, making him a standout forward.
His precision in front of goal, combined with strong playmaking abilities, allows him to both score and provide assists.
Glushenkov’s agility and speed enable him to navigate tight defenses, making him a constant threat on the field. In the 2023/24 season, he played 38 matches, scoring 8 goals and providing 21 assists.
Maksim Glushenkov Stats Season – 2023-2024:
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Liga | 29 | 6 | 18 |
| Russian Cup | 9 | 2 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 38 | 8 | 21 |
8. Adam Hlozek
- Date of Birth: 25 July 2002
- Height: 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
At 9th is Adam Hložek. He combines physicality and technical skill, making him a powerful second striker.
His versatility allows him to excel in various forward roles, and his strong presence in the box consistently makes him a goal threat.
Hložek’s passing ability enhances his impact by creating chances for teammates. In the 2023/24 season, he played 36 matches, scoring 7 goals and providing 5 assists.
Adam Hlozek Stats Season – 2023-2024:
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bundesliga | 23 | 2 | 3 |
| Europa League | 9 | 2 | 1 |
| DFB-Pokal | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| TOTAL | 36 | 7 | 5 |
7. Albert Gudmundsson
- Date of Birth: 15 June 1997
- Height: 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
At 7th is Albert Gudmundsson. He is recognized for his creativity and technical skills. His quick thinking and precise passing help unlock defenses, making him a key player in attack.
Gudmundsson’s dribbling ability and keen eye for goal add depth to his team’s offensive play. In the 2023/24 season, he played 37 matches, scoring 16 goals and providing 5 assists.
Albert Gudmundsson Stats Season – 2023-2024:
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serie A | 35 | 14 | 4 |
| Italy Cup | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| TOTAL | 37 | 16 | 5 |
6. Ademola Lookman
- Date of Birth: 20 October 1997
- Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.74 m)
At 6th is Ademola Lookman. He is a dynamic and skillful second striker known for his speed and dribbling ability.
Lookman’s quick footwork allows him to take on defenders, making him a constant threat in attack. His versatility enables him to play effectively as both a wide forward and a central striker, providing tactical flexibility for his team.
With a keen eye for goals and the ability to create scoring opportunities, he is a valuable asset, contributing significantly as both a scorer and a playmaker. In the 2023/24 season, Lookman played 35 matches, scoring 17 goals and providing 10 assists.
Ademola Lookman Stats Season – 2023-2024:
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serie A | 31 | 11 | 8 |
| Europa League | 11 | 5 | 1 |
| Italy Cup | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| TOTAL | 35 | 17 | 10 |
5. Kenan Yıldız
- Date of Birth: 4 May 2005
- Height: 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
At 5th is Kenan Yıldız. He is known for his explosive pace and technical flair, making him a dynamic second striker.
Yıldız excels at taking on defenders and creating space for himself and his teammates. His composure in front of the goal, combined with effective link-up play, makes him a consistent contributor in attack.
In the 2023/24 season, he played 39 matches, scoring 6 goals and providing 2 assists.
Kenan Yıldız Stats Season – 2023-2024:
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serie A | 27 | 2 | 1 |
| Serie C – B | 7 | 2 | 1 |
| Italy Cup | 5 | 2 | – |
| TOTAL | 39 | 6 | 2 |
4. João Félix
- Date of Birth: 10 November 1999
- Height: 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
João Félix is a highly skilled and creative second striker known for his dribbling, vision, and goal-scoring ability. He excels in multiple attacking positions, particularly as an attacking midfielder.
Félix started at Porto’s youth academy, then moved to Benfica, where he made his debut at 17 and helped win the league title. In 2019, he signed with Atlético Madrid for €126 million, winning La Liga in 2020-21. He later had loan spells with Chelsea and Barcelona before returning to Chelsea in 2024.
A former Portugal youth international, he has played in major tournaments the Euro 2020 and the FIFA World Cup. In the 2023/24 season, Félix played 44 matches, scoring 10 goals and providing 6 assists.
João Félix Stats Season – 2023-2024:
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| LaLiga | 30 | 7 | 3 |
| UEFA Champions League | 9 | 3 | 1 |
| Copa del Rey | 3 | – | 1 |
| Supercopa | 2 | – | 1 |
| TOTAL | 44 | 10 | 6 |
3. Antoine Griezmann
- Date of Birth: 21 March 1991
- Height: 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Antoine Griezmann is one of the best second strikers in the world, known for his sharp movements, passing accuracy, and clinical finishing. He excels in both scoring and creating opportunities, making him a top performer for club and country.
At Atlético, he won multiple trophies, including the UEFA Europa League and La Liga. He became the fifth-most expensive player ever when he transferred to Barcelona for €120 million in 2019, where he won a Copa del Rey before returning to Atlético in 2021 as the club’s all-time top goalscorer.
Griezmann has earned 137 caps for France, scoring 44 goals. He was crucial in France’s UEFA Euro 2016 runners-up finish and their 2018 World Cup victory, where he won the Silver Boot and was named Player of the Match in the final. He played a central role in the 2022 World Cup as well.
In the 2023/24 season, Griezmann played 48 matches, scoring 24 goals and providing 8 assists.
Antoine Griezmann Stats Season – 2023-2024:
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| LaLiga | 33 | 16 | 6 |
| UEFA Champions League | 10 | 6 | 1 |
| Copa del Rey | 4 | 1 | – |
| Supercopa | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| TOTAL | 48 | 24 | 8 |
2. Paulo Dybala
- Date of Birth: 15 November 1993
- Height: 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Paulo Dybala is one of the best second strikers in the world, known for his versatility and skill. He has had a successful career with Juventus, winning five Serie A titles and being named to the Serie A Team of the Year four times.
Dybala also won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022. He began his career with Instituto de Córdoba, moved to Palermo, and then joined Juventus in 2015, becoming their ninth-highest goalscorer.
Dybala currently plays for Roma. In the 2023/24 season, he played 39 matches, scoring 16 goals and providing 10 assists.
Paulo Dybala Stats Season – 2023-2024:
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serie A | 28 | 13 | 9 |
| Europa League | 9 | 2 | 1 |
| Italy Cup | 2 | 1 | – |
| TOTAL | 39 | 16 | 10 |
1. Thomas Müller
- Date of Birth: 13 September 1989
- Height: 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Thomas Müller is widely regarded as the best second striker in the world. His intelligence, versatility, and ability to find space on the field, earning him the nickname “Raumdeuter” (space interpreter), set him apart. Known for his excellent positioning and stamina, he excels in both scoring and assisting.
Müller has spent his entire career at Bayern Munich, winning many titles, including twelve Bundesliga championships and two UEFA Champions League trophies. He holds the record for the most assists in the Bundesliga and is Bayern’s all-time appearance holder.
He has been a key player for Germany, winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup and earning many individual awards, including the Golden Boot in 2010. After the 2024 UEFA Euro, he retired from international football.
In the 2023/24 season, Müller played 41 matches, scoring 7 goals and providing 12 assists.
Thomas Müller Stats Season – 2023-2024:
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bundesliga | 31 | 5 | 11 |
| UEFA Champions League | 9 | 1 | 1 |
| DFB-Pokal | 1 | 1 | – |
| TOTAL | 41 | 7 | 12 |