Top 10 Best Number 9 in Football (All Time List)

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 a crucial factor in determining a forward’s competency, there are many contributing factors to what makes them the best at what they do. Contribution to the team and leading by example are two of the finest traits among forwards. In this post, we take a trip back to memory lane and take a look at the top 10 number 9 in football who have graced the sports we grew up loving so much. Let us dive in and find out who is the best number 9 in football history:

List of Top 10 Best Number 9 in Football History

Players playing the number 9 in football have great impetus to provide iconic performances and take charge of the team. Some doubters accuse players in this position of stat padding without offering any real buildup for the team; this completely sidelines the pressure on them to deliver goals, ensuring the team’s victory.

How We Ranked the Famous Number 9 Football Players in History?

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, and then there are others who win the hearts of the fans and establish themselves as their favorite.

Who is the Best Number 9 in Football History?

The number 9s listed here have set the precedent for future generations of strikers to be as complete, calm under pressure and as certain to show up in the big games. Let us relive the joy of experiencing the greatness of these magicians through a deep dive into their stellar careers.

10. Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina)

The Argentine was the pride of Fiorentina and the national team. During his illustrious career, Batistuta put on the number 9 Jersey with pride. From tactical brilliance to being a quality finisher, over his career, he has made many records for the club. He is the all-time top scorer for The Purples.

A striker so technically gifted that it was surprising to see him play for Fiorentina for so long. He did not just score goals; his vision and synergy with his teammates meant that more often than not, he found them in space, creating great goalscoring opportunities. He is ranked tenth on our list of number 9 in football.

9. Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)

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 Abramovich to just pay for him and not speak. Didier Drogba is placed ninth on the list of number 9 in football.

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 were instrumental in Chelsea’s lone-forward play. Off the pitch, he is famous in his country for stopping a Civil War.

8. Filippo Inzaghi (Italy)

While there are many great Italian Forwards we have seen, Inzaghi was one of the royals when we speak of an 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 has scored from the most unusual situations.

Inzaghi was not physically dominant or technically gifted like other strikers in his era, however, his movement and reading of the game more than made up for it. He was notorious for his timing of runs and for appearing in high-scoring areas without letting the defenders catch a whiff.

7. Thierry Henry (France)

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. He is regarded as one of the great number 9 in football.

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 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.

6. Marco Van Basten (Netherlands)

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 up his boots early, he won three Ballon d’Or’s in that short career, summing up his excellence. Injuries were the main antagonist in his career as everyone to date wonders what could have been if he had been fit for a longer period.

Van Basten could pluck the most difficult passes out of the sky and subsequently place them in the net as if the keeper wasn’t even there. He always had a solution inside the box thanks to his unlimited arsenal of skill moves and finishing techniques.

5. Romario (Brazil)

Romario actually was special every time he stepped onto the pitch. A technically gifted forward, he had all the right skills and in-field traits that allowed him to win 3 Eredivisie titles and the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1994.

A striker with a small build, when combined with his graceful movement and intelligence on the pitch, it was always a spectacle to watch. He was more than just a goal machine, although the goal pile was pretty big. The Brazilian used athleticism, so much so that defenders would shudder at the thought of marking him in a game.

4. Robert Lewandowski (Poland)

The Polish is on this list for various reasons. An explosive finish from the beginning of his career allowed him to be a regular since his senior debut in 2006. From Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona, Lewa has seen one of the best prime forms in recent years. The Polish goalscoring machine is ranked fourth on our list of number 9 in football.

In German league history, he is the second top goal scorer after the legendary Gerd Muller. Although consistency has been an issue with Lewandowski, he has done so much for Bayern Munich and Barcelona, winning plenty of trophies, even if it means playing out of his position.

3. Gerd Muller (Germany)

His goal-scoring record and ability are a discussion of the century. He was nicknamed as the bomber. Known for his awareness and being in 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 to club competitions. His health-scoring ability had led the German National Team to win the 1974 World Cup.

2. Ronaldo Nazario (Brazil)

If there is one thing that all footballers and 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 on which the number 9s are measured. Ronaldo is hailed as one of the best number 9 in football history.

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 the phenomenon. And he truly was! The explosive pace and exquisite finishing made up the biggest threat to the defense line. His excellence earned him two World Cups and two Ballon d’Or.

1. Alfredo Di Stefano (Argentina/Spain)

The first one on 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 his biggest assets. Alfredo Di Stefano is the best number 9 in football.

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.