According to the modern soccer number positions, the number 9 usually refers to the center-forward or striker. Hence, soccer players who wear the number 9 are usually strikers.
The number 9s all over the world are usually regarded as top goal scorers.
Soccer players who wear this jersey number are normally renowned for their prolific goal-scoring exploits.
Many teams have great striking number 9s in their squad. We will be spotlighting some of them.
1. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
The Norwegian forward is arguably the best striker in the world right now.
The Manchester City number 9 is renowned for his scary efficiency in front of goal.
Haaland has so far this season scored 18 goals in 13 English Premier League games, including a record three back-to-back hattricks.
The 22-years-old strength and deadliness in front of goal has earned him plaudits from many football analysts.
Erling has been tipped to break more goal-scoring records and win some silverware with the Cityzens in this 2022/2023 campaign.
Erling Haaland wears the number 9 shirt for both Manchester City and the Norwegian national team.
2. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
The Poland striker has, for almost a decade, been consistently one of the best strikers in the game.
Lewandoski’s finishing and near-perfect goal conversion rate is the envy of many strikers in the game right now.
Robert has been wearing the number 9 jersey for some time now, playing for various clubs like Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and now FC Barcelona.
The 34-year-old Polish international will be aiming to continue his goal-scoring exploits at the Camp Nou and cement his legacy as one of the best strikers in the game ever.
Robert Lewandoski also wears the number 9 jersey for the Polish national team.
3. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Benzema is undoubtedly one of the best strikers the game has ever seen.
At the moment, Karim Benzema is the best soccer player in his striking position.
The enigmatic Frenchman has grown in leaps and bounds with Real Madrid, especially in recent seasons.
The recently crowned 2022 Ballon d’Or winner has admirably almost single-handled the goal-scoring responsibilities for the Madrid side since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure in 2018.
The Los Blancos number 9 has continued to bang in the goals, left, right and center, whether in the Spanish La Liga or UEFA Champions League.
4. Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)
The Liverpool number 9 endured an underwhelming season last campaign; however, the talented Brazilian has begun to find his feet.
Firmino has enjoyed a great start with the Reds this season, scoring nine goals in 14 starts across all competitions.
The 31-year-old striker will be hoping to continue his fine form into the rest of the campaign.
Although, Firmino is not usually regarded among the best soccer players in Brazil, he is an underrated player who can excel for any team.
5. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Chelsea)
Aubameyang is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the best strikers of his generation.
His pace and deadly finishing in front of goal have always been a few of his strong points.
The 33-year-old recently moved to English side Chelsea where he took up the dreaded number 9 jersey.
The former Gabonese striker will be hoping to prove doubters wrong and become one of the most prolific Blues number 9s again.
6. Dušan Vlahović (Juventus)
The Serbian striker is one of the best number 9s in football at the moment.
Vlahović is a lethal striker, with great physicality, technique, and eye for goal. He is great at picking up the ball in central areas, dribbling the first defender, and maintaining possession.
He picked up the number 9 jersey at Juventus following Alvaro Morata’s departure. He was initially No. 7 when he joined Juventus in January, but now currently wears number 9 at Juventus.
7. Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
Another striker and top soccer player who wears number 9 is Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus.
The Brazilian forward has been an important part of the in-form Gunners team.
His movement, work rate, pressing, passing, and intelligent positioning has made him an indispensable member of Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Gabriel Jesus picked up the number 9 jersey when he joined Arsenal in the 2022 summer transfer window.
8. Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
Victor Osimhen is one of the many top soccer players who wear number 9 for both club and country.
The Nigerian striker is a clinical finisher, deadly goal poacher, and massive aerial threat.
In the 2021/22 season, Osimhen scooped the Best Young Player in Italy Award after he impressed with his goals.
Victor Osimhen was given the number 9 shirt at Napoli when he joined them for a record-breaking transfer fee.
Whenever he plays for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, he is their undisputed number 9.
9. Harry Kane (England)
The England captain is one of the most prolific strikers in the world. He’s one of the few out-and-out forwards that wears number 10 for his club but number 9 for their country.
Harry Kane wears the number 9 jersey for the English national team as he is their main striker.
Kane is England’s second-highest all-time top goalscorer. He has 75 soccer caps for England, with 51 goals to his name.
10. Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)
Just like Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku also wears the number 9 jersey for only his national team.
Ever since he made his senior international debut for the Red Devils in 2010, he has represented his country at four major tournaments: the 2016 and 2020 UEFA European Championships and the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups.
Lukaku is Belgium’s all-time top goalscorer, with 68 goals in 102 soccer caps.
The Belgian striker has played for some of the top clubs in Europe and has always donned the number 9 jersey for most of them.
Other soccer players who wear the number 9 jersey are:
- Edin Dzeko (Inter Milan)
- Julian Alvarez (Argentina)
- Anthony Modeste (Borussia Dortmund)
- Luuk de Jong (Netherlands)
- Brian Brobbey (Ajax)
- Mateus Cunha (Atlético Madrid)
- Callum Wilson (Newcastle)
- Richarlison (Brazil).
