Power Ranking the 10 Best Strikers in South America

Ranking the "10 best" of anything in South American football is never an easy task. Form changes like the wind, and players can forge lifelong reputations off the back of a series of goals. It is a phenomenally fluid situation.

Thus, for this list, I have tended to lean towards those who have performed consistently over a sustained period of time.

There is also the question of which players are "strikers," and which are simply wide forwards, deep-lying forwards or, even, attacking midfielders.

Again, it is a fluid situation, and I have tended to opt for those who are seen as a major goalscoring threat for their side, rather than a provider of goals for others. Many on the list are comfortable playing in more than one position.

Given Brazil's depth of domestic talent and financial strength, it is to be expected that the majority of players are taken from what is undoubtedly South America's strongest league. There are, though, plenty of talented forwards elsewhere on the continent.

Let's then take a look at the 10 best strikers currently playing in South America.

Honourable Mentions

Fredy Montero (Millonarios & Colombia)

The return of former Seattle Sounders forward Fredy Montero to his homeland with Millonarios represents a major coup for Colombian football, at a time when the country's national game is in positive shape.

The 25-year-old forward reached double figures for goals in four consecutive MLS seasons and has enjoyed a positive start to life in Bogotá with three goals in his opening eight league outings.

The Colombian league boasts several impressive forward talents, but Montero has the potential to be the best of them all.

Irven Avila (Sporting Cristal & Peru)

Just 22 years old, Avila has already broken into double figures in the Peruvian Primera Division for four consecutive seasons—an impressive achievement.

While Yordy Reyna might be the long-term star of Peruvian football, there can be little doubt that Avila too has the talent for better things, and it won't be long before his scoring record attracts attention.

Just 5'6" tall, Avila's low centre of gravity and speed across the ground make him a handful to deal with, and when presented with chances he tends not to err. One to watch.

Nicolas Castillo (Universidad Catolica & Chile)

Having recently made his debut international appearance, everything appears to be on the up for 20-year-old Chilean centre-forward Nico Castillo.

A good season in 2012 saw the forward net eight goals in his first full campaign at senior level, while five substitute appearances in 2013 have brought two goals so far.

Castillo makes this list more for potential than current ability, and those who saw his five goals at the recent South American Under-20 championship will understand why.

Italian website TuttoMercatoWeb suggested six Serie A sides looked at Castillo in January and, with signs that he could be a top class target man, there will no doubt be fresh approaches in the summer.

No. 10: Facundo Ferreyra (Velez & Argentina)

Velez striker Facundo Ferreyra was the joint top scorer in the 2012 Apertura tournament in Argentina and will hope to continue his form into 2013.

Just 22 years old, Ferreyra has reportedly been attracting interest from Italian Serie A sides (h/t Goal.com) and will no doubt still harbour ambitions of making the national side ahead of the 2014 World Cup.

Quick and agile, Ferreyra is a composed finisher when presented with opportunities and, at just under 6'0 tall, is a good header of the ball.

The current campaign has started slowly for the former Banfield striker, having been hit by a series of minor injuries. He will hope, though, to be back on track for the latter stages of the Copa Libertadores.

A good performance there could fire him to a major European transfer this summer.

No. 9: Eduardo Vargas (Grêmio & Chile)

Chile forward Eduardo Vargas suffered under the weight of expectations following his €11.5 million move from Universidad de Chile to Napoli in January 2012 but is hoping to find his feet again in Brazil with Gremio.

Vargas has signed a loan deal with the Porto Alegre side that will see him play the Copa Libertadores before returning to Italy in the summer and, at just 23, has plenty of time to make up for his false start in Naples.

The pacy forward, capable of playing both wide or centrally, is clearly low on confidence. However, those who remember his days with La U will know what a potent attacking threat he can be when on song.

A regular with the Chile national side, Vargas cited his international ambitions as a reason for making the loan switch. Grêmio will hope that, with motivation in plentiful supply, he can recapture his old form and fire them to Libertadores success in July.

No. 8: Ignacio Scocco (Newell's Old Boys & Argentina)

With 18 goals in 24 appearances since returning to Argentine football last year, speedy forward Ignacio Scocco has made a considerable impact on the fortunes of his Newell's side.

Scocco, though, was once more the target of an approach from Brazilian side Sao Paulo in recent weeks (h/t Sambafoot.com) and may not remain in his homeland too much longer.

A good dribbler, capable of playing from the right-side of the pitch or as a centre-forward, Scocco is currently owned by Emirati side Al Ain. While Newell's have an option to buy the player at the end of his loan spell this summer, they can be outbid.

It has become a very real possibility given his current form.

With two goals on his only appearance for Argentina against a home-based Brazil side, Scocco is another who will be dreaming of a late run to a squad place at the 2014 World Cup next summer.

No. 7: Osvaldo (São Paulo & Brazil)

Osvaldo is another player for whom the divide between striker and wide forward becomes blurred, having arrived at São Paulo from Ceará at the beginning of 2012 as a centre-forward.

The 26-year-old has, though, reinvented himself as a left-sided inside forward and has proved a devastating asset to the Tricolor Paulista, contributing goals and assists in great number.

Clamour for him to be handed a call-up to the national side was answered recently, with Osvaldo an unused squad player for fixtures with Italy and Russia. He would, though, eventually get time on the pitch in a home-based fixture against Bolivia in which he provided a fine assist.

Having faced questions over his ability to step up to the level of Sao Paulo in the early stages of his time at the club, Osvaldo has responded magnificently and is well on his way to ensuring that his Brazil selection will be far from a one-off in the years to come.

No. 6: Paolo Guerrero (Corinthians & Peru)

Corinthians pulled off a major transfer coup in enticing Guerrero from Hamburg last summer, and the Peruvian has quickly become an integral member of his new side.

A powerful presence at the head of the attack, Guerrero was a central figure in Corinthians' unexpected success at the Club World Cup in December.

His combative, hard-working presence proved too much for the Chelsea defence to keep in check and, eventually, his efforts led to the game's solitary goal.

Having cost the Timão a remarkably cheap €3.5 million, that goal alone went a long way to repaying his transfer fee. His four goals in five Libertadores fixtures in 2013 have also been a major part of the club's passage to the knockout stages.

No. 5: Luis Fabiano (São Paulo & Brazil)

The second top scorer in the Brazilian championship last season, Luis Fabiano took a little time to find his feet in Brazil once more but has responded in style.

When on form, it is debatable whether there is any striker better on the continent. Certainly, in terms of goalscoring, he is one of the most lethal finishers that Brazil has seen in the post-Ronaldo era.

His participation in the group stage of the Copa Libertadores this year has been limited by suspension. However, his goals were a big part of São Paulo's qualification.

At 32, it is debatable whether he is still in a position to aid the Brazil national side. However, should he keep scoring at club level, there can be little doubt he will receive another opportunity ahead of the coming World Cup.

No. 4: Leandro Damião (Internacional & Brazil)

With Internacional watching the Copa Libertadores from afar this season, it has been a quiet start to the year for Brazil international Leandro Damião. He has, though, notched seven state championship goals to keep himself ticking over.

A powerful target man, Damião scored on his return to the national side against Bolivia last week and should be given plenty of chances ahead of the 2014 World Cup. If Scolari wants a focal point to the attack, then it is he who is the most natural replacement for Fred.

Now 23 years old, Damião was a late bloomer but still has his best footballing years firmly ahead of him.

Considering their relentless pursuit of him for over eighteen months, it must be considered likely that Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur will offer his next step towards the footballing elite (h/t Goal.com).

That novela, though, is set for continuation later this summer. First, Damião must force his way into Scolari's plans for the Confederations Cup in June.

No. 3: Fred (Fluminense & Brazil)

Fluminense striker Fred has been the best No. 9 in Brazil over the two years and is currently the man deservedly in possession of the shirt with the national team.

At that level, too, he is showing that he is capable of performing, with three goals in three since the appointment of new manager Scolari. He will likely retain the position until at least the Confederations Cup.

Fred was rightfully named as the Player of the Brasileirão (Portuguese) 2012 by the CBF at the end of last year, having guided Fluminense to the league title by an astonishing margin.

Having broken the twenty goal mark in both of the past two league seasons, he is also comfortably the most consistent scorer that Brazil has to offer at present.

While some still disagree with his place in the national side, it looks as though Fred will be the man leading a youthful Brazil attack come next summer's World Cup.

No. 2: Pato (Corinthians & Brazil)

The time is now for Corinthians forward Alexandre Pato to stake his claim to be Brazil's leading centre-forward for years to come. There is a vacancy, and it has long been expected that he is the man to fill the role.

During his time at AC Milan, though, Pato suffered with injury and, having lost his place earlier this season, has chosen to rebuild his career with what is probably South America's strongest side.

While he has not set the world alight, the hope will be that Pato can gradually regain sustained form and fitness over the course of the 2013 season.

A fit and firing Pato would be a major asset to Brazil at the 2014 World Cup, and his return to the international fold against Bolivia last weekend is hopefully just the beginning of his return to the top.

No. 1: Neymar (Santos & Brazil)

There was only one man going to top this list, and it is without doubt that Neymar is the most talented striker on the South American continent at present.

Given that he is playing ever more from a central role, it is important to note that Neymar should be counted as a striker. Fellow youngsters Lucas Moura and Bernard, though, are generally used in deeper attacking midfield roles.

Neymar has faced a lot of criticism recently and is arguably in his worst run of form since early 2011. The discussion over his future appears to be taking its toll, but he is already at a total of 10 goals and eight assists from 17 fixtures in 2013 alone. Neymar, though, doubtless expects more.

He will move to Europe eventually, and he will succeed—there should be little doubt of that. The immense pressure he is under should not be underplayed. Whether a move away would help ease that situation, though, is up for debate.