VOTE: Pick Top 5 Greatest No.9s in Football History

No.9 is one of the greatest numbers in the football world. AFers, who is your best No.9? Pick Top 5 Greatest No. 9s in Football History.

Gerd Muller 

Sticking to the requirements of a good number 9, Gerd Muller is viewed as one of the greatest goalscorers to ever grace a football pitch. The West Germany striker amassed an incredible tally of 68 goals in 62 games for his country, winning the 1972 European Championship and the 1974 World Cup.

Gabriel Batistuta

Argentina’s main man before Lionel Messi showed up, Gabriel Batistuta amassed a table-topping 54 goals in just 77 appearances for his country, helping them to win consecutive Copa America titles in 1991 and 1993, as well as the 1992 FIFA Confederations Cup. 

Alan Shearer 

Shearer earned his place in number 9’s Hall of Fame due to the sheer number of goals that he scored throughout his career. After coming through the youth ranks at Southampton, the prolific poacher was snapped up by Blackburn Rovers for a £3.6 million fee which smashed the England transfer record. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic 

The journeyman career of Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic has seen him play across Europe, winning league titles in no less than four different countries, and everywhere that he has ended up.

Ronaldo (Brazil)

Ronaldo is one of Brazil’s greatest ever players, having won four titles with his country. the Brazilian superstar tarnished his distinguished career somewhat by piling on the pounds towards the end of it. However, during his glory days he was one of the most feared strikers around.

Marco van Basten 

With a tally of more than 300, Van Basten scored plenty of brilliant goals throughout his career. That figure would have been even higher, but the legendary striker was forced to retire in 1995 at the early age of just 28, .Van Basten was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 1992 and won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1988, 1989 and 1992.

Filippo Inzaghi

AC Milan's FIlippo Inzaghi was often the target of criticism during his playing days. Viewed as a cheat by many, a player who would dive his way to victory,“He’s the man who sorts everything out, even though it’s difficult to lay your finger on what it is exactly that he’s got,” stated Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos, who came up against Inzaghi during his time with Inter Milan.

Johan Cruyff 

Another No.9 is brilliant Johan Cruyff, who played a massive part in developing the modern game into what it is today. Credited with assisting the brilliance of top players. Cruyff is best known for his role in the ‘Total Football’ system that was played at Ajax throughout Rinus Michels’ time at the club.

Alfredo Di Stefano 

Argentine striker was the centrepiece of the Madrid side that dominated European football in the 1950s. Di Stefano started his career in Argentina, The talented forward had scored an impressive total of 90 goals in just 102 matches, before achieving similar results in Spain, notching up 216 goals in just 282 appearances for Madrid, which made him the club’s all-time top scorer until the feat was broken by Raul in 2009.

Patrick Kluivert

Kluivert started his career and made his reputation in Ajax. He was one of four Dutch players released by Barcelona. He ended his career at Barça with 124 goals from 249 appearances.