Before the 2016 European Championship, Bleacher Report reviewed and ranked the top 200 players of the tournament, based on their positions. In today's final ranking review - forwards.
The ranking is made up of two categories: one composed of play without the ball (movement without the ball, situation reading, and impact on opponents' defense), and the other from attack completion (first touch, finishing, and chance completion). Each player in each of these categories can receive a maximum of 50 points, and by adding up the points obtained in both categories, the ranking of the best European Championship forwards was arranged.
In the first part of the review, you will be presented with the top 30 wingers as well as forwards who play a bit deeper. A bit later, in the second part of the review, the list of the top 20 strikers will be presented.
30. Martin Harnik - Austria
Play without the ball: 36/50
Attack completion: 36/50
Overall rating: 72/100
29. Robbie Keane - Ireland
Play without the ball: 34/50
Attack completion: 40/50
Overall rating: 74/100
28. Ciro Immobile - Italy
Play without the ball: 41/50
Attack completion: 35/50
Overall rating: 76/100
27. Shane Long - Ireland
Play without the ball: 39/50
Attack completion: 37/50
Overall rating: 76/100
26. Lukas Podolski - Germany
Play without the ball: 35/50
Attack completion: 42/50
Overall rating: 77/100
25. Divock Origi - Belgium
Play without the ball: 41/50
Attack completion: 37/50
Overall rating: 78/100
...(remaining ranks omitted for brevity)...1. Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal
Play without the ball: 50/50
Attack completion: 50/50
Overall rating: 100/100
Throughout his club career, Ronaldo has consistently fought for all the major individual and team trophies. The 31-year-old player stands out from other footballers precisely in his play without the ball - he can escape from defenders at the right time and convert the space created into a dangerous attack.
In these championships, Portugal will need goals, and Ronaldo has scored goals throughout his career. Last season, he scored 51 times, and in total, he has scored 482 goals in 641 games. Both at Manchester United and Real Madrid, he was the main finisher of attacks.
However, despite all the achievements in club football, the Portuguese national team has never underestimated Ronaldo during his career. Most people talk about the lack of talented players in his national team, but it is him who has to lead the team and be the true leader. Portugal brings a lot of players to these championships who should help Ronaldo achieve victories, but without a good performance from their leader, Portugal can hardly expect success in this championship.
Previously published rankings:
Goalkeepers ranking: Positions 1-10, Positions 11-20.
Left-back defenders ranking: Positions 1-10, Positions 11-20.
Right-back defenders ranking: Positions 1-10, Positions 11-20.
Center-back defenders ranking: Positions 1-15, Positions 16-30.
Defensive midfielders ranking: Positions 1-15, Positions 16-30.
Attacking midfielders ranking: Positions 1-15, Positions 16-30.
