The 10 best number 9 soccer players of all time

Entering the football field, the number 9 position always brings great expectations from fans. As the backbone of the attack, players in this position not only need to be able to score excellent goals but must also be able to create opportunities for teammates and show leadership on the field. Each name is a great symbol of football, leaving an indelible mark in the hearts of fans and earning the respect of professionals. So, who is the best number 9 in football? In the following article, let’s join Kingsoccertips experts to learn about the 10 best number 9 soccer players of all time, whose names have gone down in the history of world soccer.

Top the number 9 soccer players today

1. Samuel Eto’o

During the period from 2004 to 2009, Samuel Eto’o, along with Ronaldinho and Messi, created a legendary trio at Barcelona, dominating European football with a series of big and small titles. Despite his slight frame, Eto’o possessed tremendous speed; once he accelerated, few defenders at that time could catch him, which earned him the nickname ‘Black Panther’.

During his career, Eto’o played 759 matches and scored 370 goals for 13 different clubs, including 108 goals for Barcelona. In Africa, he is considered one of the greatest strikers of all time. In Africa, he is considered one of the greatest number 9 soccer players of all time, renowned for his exceptional striking ability and prolific goal-scoring record.

2. Ronaldo De Lima

Ronaldo de Lima, also known as “O Fenômeno”, is truly a legendary icon in global football. As one of the greatest strikers of all time, he is nicknamed “The Phenomenon” with good reason. Even though his career was affected by injury, the boundless love and respect from football fans around the world are always for him.

On the field, Ronaldo embodies magic and passion in the art of football, never leaving fans feeling bored. If age is just a number, and injuries are merely temporary challenges, Ronaldo’s career may continue to reach new heights, leaving an indelible mark in the hearts of fans.

3. Patrick Kluivert

Patrick Kluivert is one of the 10 best number 9 soccer players of all time, having begun developing his talent at a young age in Ajax Amsterdam’s academy, which he joined while still in school. In particular, at the age of 19, he became an irreplaceable pillar of both Ajax Amsterdam and the Dutch national team.

Kluivert then moved to AC Milan in the 1997-1998 season before joining Barcelona, where he played 255 matches and scored an impressive 120 goals. At the Nou Camp, Kluivert teamed up effectively with Rivaldo, creating a formidable pair for any opponent. Despite only winning one La Liga title in the 1998/99 season during his time with the Catalans, this was only a small part of his successful career before he moved to Newcastle in the summer of 2004.

4. Gabriel Batistuta

Gabriel Batistuta, nicknamed “The Lion King”, is nothing less than one of the greatest strikers Argentine football has ever seen. He still holds the record as the second-highest goal scorer in Argentine football history with 56 goals. His time at Fiorentina was the period when Batigol was most honored by fans as he demonstrated his unwavering loyalty to the purple team. As one of the most iconic number 9 soccer players, Batistuta’s legacy continues to inspire future generations of strikers.

Fiorentina fell to Serie B in 1993, but Batistuta decided to stay, rejecting countless offers from other top clubs, to help the team return to the top. The color purple became a symbol of loyalty, and no one in football embodied this better than Batistuta with his “Viola” shirt. He gave his all for Fiorentina during their formative years, with 207 goals in 333 matches, but his true value to the team is not just in numbers, but also in loyalty and unconditional commitment.

5. Filippo Inzaghi

Filippo Inzaghi, also known as the ‘Offside King’, is one of the greatest number 9 soccer players of all time. He was not only impressed with his goals on the field but also with his profound philosophy of life. Inzaghi once said: “If you don’t have natural talent like Ronaldo or Kaka, you can still become a great player through hard work, perseverance, and love for the ball.”

With incredible fame and achievements, Inzaghi has won 3 Serie A championships, 3 Champions League titles, 3 Italian Super Cups, 2 UEFA Super Cups, and a World Cup title in 2006 with the national team. He is also famous for being the fourth-highest scorer in Champions League history. Throughout his career, Inzaghi played for seven clubs in Italy, scoring 197 goals in 466 appearances for his teams.

6. Luis Suárez

Luis Suárez is one of the best number 9 soccer players of all time, having made his mark with a series of goals during his career, especially while playing for Barcelona. Here, he scored 198 goals, helping the Catalan club win La Liga four times, Copa del Rey four times, and the Champions League once.

Suárez rose to prominence in his home country of Uruguay with club Nacional before moving to Europe and playing for Groningen in the Dutch Eredivisie in 2007, when he was just 19 years old. As soon as he arrived in England and played for Liverpool in 2011, Suárez proved his ability as the Premier League’s top scorer in the 2013-2014 season, with 31 goals in 33 matches. He also shared the European Golden Shoe award with Ronaldo during this time.

Moving to Barcelona for a transfer fee of up to 81 million euros in 2014, Suárez, along with Messi and Neymar, formed a legendary attacking trio, causing significant challenges for the defense of opponents across Europe.

7. Alan Shearer

Alan Shearer is a true legend in football, with a total of 422 goals for club and country, and a record of 260 Premier League goals, averaging around 25 goals per season during the 17 seasons he played.

In 1992, when Alan Shearer was still a young talent at Southampton, Sir Alex Ferguson noticed him. However, Shearer rejected a £3.6 million offer from Manchester United. Four years later, when Shearer had gained a bit of fame, Sir Alex came back with four increased offers, but Shearer still firmly refused and chose to join Newcastle United for 15 million pounds. This shows the steadfast and decisive character of this man, and his commitment to his chosen club.

8. Marco van Basten

Marco van Basten, one of the greatest number 9 soccer players of all time, embodied the great Dutch concept of “Total Football,” and is considered one of the geniuses of the 20th century in football history. With his exceptional scoring ability, he has proven himself to be a ruthless assassin in the penalty area, with intelligent movement and positioning. Each of his shots delivers absolute precision, causing opposing goalkeepers to face the toughest challenges of their careers.

Marco van Basten was the first player in the world to win three Ballon d’Or awards in 1988, 1989, and 1992. If not for injuries forcing him to retire early, his total Ballon d’Or awards would have been on par with Ronaldo and Messi by now. This is a clear testament to van Basten’s influence and importance in football history.

9. Fernando Torres

Fernando Torres, one of the best number 9 soccer players of all time, has gone through ups and downs in his career, especially while playing for Chelsea. However, his time with Atlético Madrid, Liverpool, and the Spain national team contributed to Torres’ image as one of the greatest strikers in football history.

Torres is a product of Atlético Madrid’s youth system, where he developed his impressive scoring skills over seven years, scoring 91 goals in the team’s colors. His excellence attracted the attention of Liverpool, and in 2007, Torres moved to Anfield for £20.2 million. Here, he became one of the world’s top strikers, scoring 65 goals in 102 matches over four seasons.

10. Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski embodies the classic central striker style, which is a rarity in modern football. With a keen eye and the ability to accurately shoot inside the penalty area, each of his shots is a threat to the opponent’s goal. After leaving Bayern Munich, Lewandowski joined Barcelona and immediately made a big impact. The Polish star consistently demonstrates excellent performance with impressive scoring ability.

Lewandowski scored a total of 395 goals in 592 matches for clubs and was named the best player in Europe in 2021. If it weren’t for the COVID-19 pandemic, he might have won the 2021 Ballon d’Or. Together with the Polish international, Lewandowski scored 61 goals in 112 matches, making him the highest goal scorer in his national team’s history.

Conclusion

In the world of football, the role of number 9 strikers is not only to score goals but also to be leaders on the field who create connections and coordination for the squad. From the pioneers of new styles to the legends of football, they have created records, feats, and unforgettable moments in history. With the list of the top 10 best number 9 soccer players of all time, it is not only a challenge but also an opportunity to honor those who have done extraordinary things on the field. Let’s look back and acknowledge these legends who created the beauty of the sport, and eternally remember the actions, emotions, and tournaments they brought to football fans around the world.

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