Dennis Bergkamp, the former Arsenal and Netherlands striker, has identified Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane, and Karim Benzema as the world’s leading centre-forwards. The retired footballer, widely regarded as one of the game’s greats, made the declaration during a recent interview on The Overlap podcast alongside former colleague Ian Wright.
Bergkamp praised the trio for their sustained excellence and distinct attributes. He specifically highlighted Harry Kane of Bayern Munich and Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona as the contemporary benchmarks for the traditional striker role. “At the moment, the ideal strikers – how we knew them, it’s Harry Kane and Robert Lewandowski,” Bergkamp stated. He acknowledged Lewandowski’s advancing age but emphasized their continued phenomenal output.
The third player in Bergkamp’s select group is Karim Benzema, now with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal after his long, trophy-laden tenure at Real Madrid. Bergkamp focused on the French forward’s intelligent movement, describing it as “unbelievable.”
This assessment from Bergkamp carries significant weight given his own illustrious career as a forward, where he was celebrated for his technique and finishing. His choices reflect players who combine prolific goalscoring with the ability to influence play beyond simple finishing.
Lewandowski, 35, remains a key figure for Barcelona after a record-breaking season. Kane, 31, was the Bundesliga’s top scorer in his first campaign at Bayern Munich. Benzema, 36, continues to be a decisive force following his Ballon d’Or-winning 2022 season and subsequent move to Al-Hilal.
All three strikers have extensive records of success, having won multiple league titles and individual scoring awards at the highest European level. Bergkamp’s selection underscores the enduring importance of the central striker in modern football, citing examples who excel in different leagues and stages of their careers. Their collective performance continues to set the standard for the position globally.
