Best 15 Legendary Number 9s in Football: Career Stats and Achievements

While we have shifted to the era of new number 9s who deliver whopping numbers season in and season out, the change in terms of roles and responsibilities along with the definition of a number 9 is all about rich history. While some of us have heard a lot about these talented players, there are some of us who were lucky enough to enjoy these forwards gracing the football pitch with our own eyes.

While goal tally is something of a crucial factor towards the competency of a forward, there are many contributing factors to what makes them the best to do it. Contribution towards the team and Leading by example are two of the finest traits among the forwards.

In this post, we take a trip back to memory lane and take a look at the top 15 number 9s who have graced the sports we grew up loving so much. Let us dive in!

The ranking factors of the top 15 number 9s in Football History

But before we start, let us clarify that there are no players included in this list who are still actively playing. Moreover, this list is composed with more metrics than the goal tally. Let us take a look at these factors:

Goals Scored

The primary metric of any forward is the goals they have scored over their career. It is one of the contributing factors to this list.

Impact of the game

You win matches as a team not by yourself. In addition to goals, one’s ability to have a positive impact in matches and being decisive in big matches is another important factor.

Trophies and Honors

Both personal and collective achievements are considered in this list as both of them are important metrics.

Style and Legacy

There are players who break records, then there are other who win hearts of the fans and establish themselves as their favorite.

Top 15 Number 9 in Football History

15. Raul Gonzalez

The Galactico was the pride of Spain and Real Madrid. During his illustrious career, Raul put on the number 9 Jersey with pride.

From tactical brilliance to being a quality finisher, over his career, he made many records for the club. He was the all-time top scorer for Los Blancos till Cristiano broke the record.

14. Didier Drogba

A warrior in the field and a gentleman of the pitch, Didier was just a big example everywhere he went. He came from Marseille to play for Mourinho at Chelsea. The Special one asked Roman Abramovic to just pay for him and not speak. 

It turned out to be the best decision the Russian owner made as together they won it all. His physicality on and off the ball and his traits of holding the ball was instrumental in Chelsea’s lone-forward play. Off the pitch, he is famous in his country for stopping a Civil War.

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13. Paolo Rossi

Another Italian makes this list as he was instrumental in Italy winning the World Cup in 1982. 

He won the Golden Boot and Golden Ball in that campaign. He was just as important for Juventus. His work ethic and finishing was so dear to the fans.

12. Alan Shearer

The Englishman have hung his boots a long time ago. However, he is still considered the greatest in the Premier League.

Be it scoring from short-range, headers, or long-range screamers, Shearer did it all. He was the ultimate example of a true number 9. His consistency with both Newcastle and Blackburn is still talked about to this day.

11. Filippo Inzaghi

While there are many great Italian Forwards we have seen, Inzaghi was one of the royals when we speak of ideal number 9.

There are hardly any players out there who have the awareness of the game and the ability to be in the right place at the right time like Pippo did. Throughout his career, he have scored from the most unusual situations.

10. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

No matter which football you grew up watching, you have heard the name Zlatan for sure. A true testament to how confident one should be in their abilities. And the best thing is that is not all the Swedish International is all about. 

He spoke highly and he backed it up all through his career. From acrobatic goals to long range wonders, he is arguably the most entertaining player in the pitch.  His dedication towards his passion and hard work made sure of his longevity in Football. 

Among from putting ‘Paris in the map of France,’ and many other achievers, he had accomplished the honor to play under many brilliant coaches.

9. Gabriel Batistuta

The South American way is rarely seen these days in football. Speaking of which, the number 9th on our list is one of the iconic strikers in South America. 

If we talk about lethal finishes and thunderous shots, Batigol is one of the biggest names in the business. He was Fiorentina’s pride and Argentina’s dearest. It was a delight to see him on the pitch. 

8. Thierry Henry

While the Frenchman started his career as a Left Winger, he redefined the modern number 9 role in Arsenal under Wenger. The blend of finishing and pace truly made him the deadliest in the Premier League. And his record really speaks for itself.

His vision of the game as a striker played a crucial part in Arsenal’s Invincible run. The Frenchman silenced all the critics week in and out with his performance. As he switched to LA Liga to play for Barcelona, Henry evolved more under Pep, but this time as a different player. While the Frenchmen stayed a true for in the box, he enjoyed the passing game and the pressing of the ball. It is a shame that he didn’t win the Ballon d’Or. But that is a story for another day.

7. Eusebio

Portugal had a fair share of stars featured in their team. And one of the biggest names in their history is none other than the Benfica legend Eusebio. He was known as the ‘Black Panther’ for his prolific striking abilities. 

Back in 1962, Benfica was a Club to be reckoned with. Props to Eusobio’s leadership, the Portuguese Club won the European Cup that year. From pace and power to precision, his abilities on and off the ball together made him one of the deadliest strikers in the World.

6. Marco Van Basten

Great things come for a short period, and this is exactly what Van Basten’s career is. His goal-scoring ability is something that is off the charts. 

Although the Dutch player hung his boots early, he won three Ballon D’ors in that short career, summing up his excellence.

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5. George Weah

There is something special in you if you win Ballon d’Or as an African player due to the system’s dubious decision so far. 

Weah actually was special every time he stepped into the pitch. A technically gifted forward, he had all the right skills and in-field traits that allowed him to win 3 Serie A titles and the Ballon d’Or in 1995.

4. Fernando Torres

The Spaniard is in this list for various reasons. Blistering pace and explosive finish from the Early age allowed him to be a regular since he was 19 years old. 

From Atletico to Liverpool, El Nino had one of the scariest primes. He had stepped up on big matches and have been the difference maker. In Spanish history, he is the second top goalscorer after his teammate David Villa. Although consistency was an issue with Torres, he have sacrificed his career for World Cup when he traveled for the 2010 World Cup despite his injury. And in his words, it was worth it.

Over the years, El Nino won a lot of team trophies and individual ones as well. Nowadays, you will see him managing the B squad of his boyhood club Atletico Madrid.

3. Gerd Muller

His goal-scoring record and ability is a discussion of the century. He was nicknamed as the bomber. Known for his awareness and being at the right position at the right time, it is no wonder why the German has an amazing goal tally.

However, his excellence was not limited in club competitions. His health-scoring ability had led the German National Team to win the 1974 World Cup.

2. Ronaldo Nazario

If there is one thing that all footballers and the fans agree on, it is that Ronaldo Nazario is the epitome of a true number 9. Be it the dribbles or off the ball runs, the Brazilian had it all. 

He was the royalty of number 9s. He also considered the scale in which the number 9s is measured. Be it for the country or club, he was the man when the team needed consistency all season and someone to step up on big occasions. He was nicknamed as the phenomenon. And he truly was! The explosive pace and exquisite finishing made up a biggest threat for the defense line. His excellence earned him two World Cups and two Ballon d’Ors. 

1. Alfredo Di Stefano

The first one in the list calls for one of the greats to do it. Di Stefano is one of the biggest names in Santiago Bernabeu. Among his many capabilities, his flexibility is one of the biggest assets. 

In Real Madrid’s domination in the 1950s, Di Stefano was the golden key. Creativity and intelligence were the two elements you could see in his play anytime he graced the pitch. The revolutionary number 9 had given the club 5 back-to-back European Glory. While the Real Madrid forward started his National career in Argentina, he changed his Nationality and started playing for Spain.

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