Top 5 strikers of 2011

Top 5 strikers of 2011

 

We pick out the five forwards who found the mark, again and again, for their respective sides in 2011.

You've got to love lists. They provide fodder for debate, discussion and a whole lot of pub conversations. We've brought you the top five footballers in 2011 in three categories including goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and now it is time for the strikers.

After that - we'll go on to our 2011 Team of the Year.

Please take these lists in the spirit they are written in i.e. to have a bit of fun and cheer as we usher in the New Year.

Robin van Persie (Arsenal, Holland)

Van Persie had been tipped for greatness ever since his arrival at Arsenal from Feyenoord in 2004. Six frustrating, injury-laden years later, the Dutchman finally delivered on that early promise with 34 goals (and counting) in the Premier League this year.

In a year when Arsenal have been unsettled by high-profile departures and some shattering results, Van Persie has provided relief, joy and excitement to Gunners' fans - ensuring they'd have something to cheer about. 

If one were to pick the best out of his 34, it would have to be the volley against Everton where he allowed a chipped pass from Alex Song to drop over his right shoulder before smashing the ball off the post, into the net. Intelligence, technique, power, precision. Suitable adjectives for a world-class striker.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, Portugal)

Few players in world football divide opinion as fiercely as the man from Portugal. Some can't stand him for his showboating, perceived selfishness and tendency to go down whenever there's a strong gust of wind. Others swear by him for being the most complete player of his generation. 

Whichever camp one belongs to, it's difficult to argue with the numbers Ronaldo has piled up since his move to Real Madrid. He took the Pichichi Trophy for the 2010/11 season, and has continued to score by the bucketloads this season, having notched up 25 goals in 23 matches in all competitions. 

Love him or hate him, you simply cannot ignore him. If you haven't yet, check out Ronaldo - Tested to the Limit, to get an insight into the workings of this truly remarkable athlete.

Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Argentina)

La Liga is fortunate to have two of the best players on the planet. Ronaldo may be able to play with both feet, head the ball and take free-kicks, but a combination of supreme balance and perhaps the best left-foot in the history of football makes Messi equally good, if not better. 

The Argentinean was once again at the forefront of it all, as Barcelona won La Liga and the Champions League to continue their domestic and European domination. The only disappointment would have been the failure of the national side to win the Copa America. Despite that though, Messi wowed the world yet again with some breathtaking goals that had pundits, journalists and fans alike scurrying for the Thesaurus. 

Unfortunately, there are not enough words in the English language to describe the diminutive forward. Until someone comes up with more adjectives, genius will have to suffice.

Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich, Germany)

At first glance, his may be an underwhelming name. In a world dominated by the Ronaldos and the Messis, a striker from the Bundesliga, even though he may play for Bayern Munich, has to perform truly exceptionally to be noticed. In 2011, Gomez did just that. 

He finished the 2010/11 season as the top scorer in Germany, even edging out Miroslav Klose in the pecking order, and continued where he had left off in the new campaign. To date, he has smashed in 24 goals in all competitions for the Bavarian giants as they look to wrest back the title that was snatched from them by the young turks from Borussia Dortmund last season. 

A quintessential poacher, the 26-year-old is just about hitting the peak of his career; expect bigger and better things from him next year.

Edinson Cavani (Napoli, Uruguay)

In the space of a year, Cavani has made himself into one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe. With a dominating presence in the opposition penalty area, one that has earned him the moniker El Matador, the 24-year-old helped himself to 26 goals in the 2010-11 campaign, helping Napoli earn a third-place finish and a Champions League place. 

With four Champions League goals and nine Serie A strikes so far this season, the Cavani has been in great form yet again. There was also the small matter of a Copa America winners' medal in July - all of which points to a seminal year for the long-haired marksman from Uruguay.