The 25 Most Powerful Strikers in World Football

It is undeniable that physical attributes are becoming more crucial in modern football than ever before, with big, strong and powerful strikers often being a centrepiece to many sides around the world.

It is difficult to define exactly what we mean by a powerful striker, but essentially we are talking about those strikers who combine pure strength and speed to devastating effect.

It is often said that powerful strikers, when on form, can be unplayable, so here are 25 of the best around the globe who often cause havoc in the opposition's penalty area.

A list centred around an intangible attribute is never going to be definitive, so I would love to hear suggestions and comments on who you think should be considered among the most powerful strikers in the world in the comments section below.

25-21

25. Mario Balotelli, Manchester City

Everybody saw his chiselled frame when he ripped his shirt off after that goal against Germany, and when Balotelli has the little bit of fire in his belly, he can be a real handful.

24. Mathias Ranegie, Udinese

The Swedish international has just burst onto the scene or has rather only just now been widely recognised having earned a move to Serie A's Udinese. Providing a terrific presence to allow Antonio Di Natale to play off.

23. Nikica Jelavic, Everton

The Croatian combines superbly with Marouane Fellaini to give the Toffees a tremendous physical presence in attack.

22. Amauri, Parma

The Brazilian might not be in the form he was with Palermo, but he is getting close to that with Parma right now. 

21. Sebastian Abreu, Figueirense

Known as "El Loco" (the crazy one), the Uruguayan has been a brute in South American football throughout his career. Currently with Figueirense, on loan from Botafogo.

20-16

20. Mario Gomez, Bayern Munich

The German international has forged a career by using his technical attributes alongside his power, both on the ground and in the air.

19. Edin Dzeko, Manchester City

The Bosnian is always capable of using his great upper body strength to roll defenders and work some space for his lethal finishing.

18. Wayne Rooney, Manchester United

Rooney epitomises power in the modern game, due to his effortless drive when in possession and ability to use his shoulders to protect the ball.

17. Fernando Llorente, Athletic Bilbao

The Spaniard is a constant threat in the air and should be considered a Plan B when Spain eventually stopped passing teams to death.

16. Christian Benitez, America

The Ecuadorian is physically similar to Rooney due to not being the tallest but possessing real dynamite when allowed time to drive forward with the ball. Currently ripping up the Liga MX, contrary to his struggles in the Premier League.

15-11

15. German Denis, Atalanta

How could I leave somebody known as "El Tanque" (The Tank) off this list? The Argentine is rightly recognised as one of world football's most powerful strikers due to his success in perhaps the most physical league in Europe.

14. Jozy Altidore, AZ Alkmaar

The US international is finally able to feel at home with AZ and is proving to be a real beast in the Eredivisie these days.

13. Wilfried Bony, Vitesse Arnhem

Another who has been tagged as the "next Drogba," Bony is enjoying a great spell in the Eredivisie with Vitesse and is utilising his physical assets to great effect.

12. Dame N'Doye, Lokomotiv Moscow

The Senegalese earned a big move to Lokomotiv this summer, after a number of seasons destroying the Danish Superliga with FC Copenhagen. It is no mean feat to be able to make his power felt in a physical league like Russia either.

11. Radamel Falcao, Atletico Madrid

The Colombian is probably considered the best striker in world football right now and it has a lot to do with his explosive power. El Tigre has a ripped torso and could eat the Premier League alive if afforded the opportunity of a big move away from La Liga.

10-6

10. Alvaro Negredo, Sevilla

The Spanish striker uses his huge frame and powerful drive to shrug off defenders in La Liga each week and can be regarded as one of Europe's most dangerous strikers when on form due to his power up top.

9. Christian Benteke, Aston Villa

The Belgian has adjusted superbly to the Premier League and is already proving to be one of the most difficult strikers to mark for defenders due to the mismatch his presents with his size and pace.

8. Victor Anichebe, Everton

One of the most explosive strikers in world football, when fit. The Toffees striker has a body built like a middleweight boxer and any defended tasked with dealing with the Nigerian will wake up with numerous bruises.

7. Romelu Lukaku, West Brom

Another Belgian on this list, Lukaku is down this much if only due to his youth and not being able to fill out his huge frame just yet. Currently tearing it up with West Brom and showing Chelsea what they are missing.

6. Lacina Traore, Anzhi

One of the tallest strikers in the world, Traore's huge stride makes him almost impossible to stop when he is in full flow, gliding past defenders for fun.

5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, PSG

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has far more than just power to his game. 

But the Swedish international used it to great effect in destroying England this month. Gary Cahill and Ryan Shawcross, two defenders one would think would be be physically equipped to deal with the PSG striker, could not handle Ibra.

Zlatan was able to generate time and space to utilise his sublime technical skills due to his power and strength that kept England's defenders at an arm's length throughout.

4. Bafetimbi Gomis, Lyon

Bafetimbi Gomis is to be considered one of the most powerful strikers in world football, but he seldom seems to be able to show us his devastating power on a regular basis.

Lyon tend not to build their attack around the Les Bleus striker, but Gomis is capable of unsettling even the most physical of defences in Ligue 1.

3. Andy Carroll, West Ham

Overrated? Perhaps, but Andy Carroll is an unstoppable force when he is able to use his huge frame and get close to the defenders in order to manhandle them.

There is no defender who would be able to keep the Geordie quiet if he provided with decent service. Nothing is getting in the Hammers striker's way if there is a header to be won.

2. Didier Drogba, Shanghai Shenhua

Didier Drogba might have departed the European champions for China but it doesn't change the fact that he is able to systematically destroy any defence in world football by using pure power.

The Ivorian can be used as a battering ram or just as effectively given the ball in behind the defence in a foot race. Drogba's biggest test left in his career is to win the African Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast in January, so it will be fascinating to see if he has maintained his physical prowess next year.

1. Hulk, Zenit St. Petersburg

Who else but the Hulk?

The Brazilian's body is shaped like a body builder, but he maintains a raw pace to be able to give defenders nightmares.

The Zenit star can turn a poor pass into a good pass by turning on the afterburners and knocking anybody who gets in his way to the side.