At first sight, the 2018 World Cup may seem like a paradise for renowned strikers. Harry Kane has already five goals on his account, while Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku have both four.

However, there a number of top-class attacking players who have not yet found the net in Russia.

Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo has four goals, Messi has zero. That fact alone is extremely frustrating for the Argentine star and his numerous fans. And given that the Albiceleste have just one point after two games and are under threat of early elimination, the team's captain looks like the biggest disappointment of the World Cup at the moment. In 2010, Messi did not score a single goal either, but at least he gave a number assists and Argentina reached the quarter-final. 

However, nothing is yet lost for Jorge Sampaoli's team, as their fate will be determined in today's "do or die" match against Nigeria. Messi still has a chance to not just score a goal or two, but to drag Argentina far into the tournament, which he did four years ago in Brazil.


Robert Lewandowski

The 30-year-old scored the most goals in the European qualification for the World Cup - 16, which is one more than Cristiano Ronaldo. In Russia, one of the best pure strikers of the world was expected to make the difference for Poland, but Lewandowski is just a shadow of himself, and his game is one of the biggest disappointments at the tournament.

The same can be said about the Polish team as a whole - following two defeats in two games, they have already been eliminated. So far, the team has scored just one goal - it was Grzegorz Krychowiak who netted against Senegal, while Lewandowski will have his last chance in the last group match against Japan.

Thomas Mueller

Although not necessarily a pure forward, he is the ninth best striker in the Germany's national team history with 38 goals, and the best in the current squad. In his two previous World Cups, Bayern Munich forward netted ten times combined - five in 2010 and as many four years later.

But now "Die Mannschaft" has been rather disappointing, and so has been Thomas. However, Toni Kroos' late winner against Sweden gas given Germany a lifeline - now the defending world champions have a good chance to progress from the group, so Mueller may still get in his best shape.


James Rodriguez

Just like Lewandowski and Mueller, Rodriguez plays his club football at Bayern - and similar to them, so far the Colombian has not scored at this World Cup.

 Four years ago in Brazil it was much different - with six goals, James then won the Golden Boot of the tournament.

Now Colombia's coach Jose Pekerman did not even include him in the starting line-up for the opening game with Japan. 

Against Poland, the 27-year-old already played from the first minute and certainly contributed to the team's victory with two assists. However, he is yet to score his first goal in Russia.