Some of the best players on the planet wear the number nine shirt for their club teams. Erling Haaland is not the only Norwegian number nine to lead the line for one of Europe's elite sides. Barcelona's 36-year-old Robert Lewandowski has been rejuvenated by the summer appointment of Hansi Flick.
The number nine shirt went out of fashion in the opening two decades of the 21st century. Traditionally the squad number of choice for each team's starting striker, the Premier League 's three most prolific centre-forwards since 2000 - Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero - all opted for the number 10. Lionel Messi underscored the enduring popularity of that figure, while Cristiano Ronaldo 's rise to stardom spawned a flood of acolytes demanding the number seven shirt.
But there has been a shift back to nine in recent years. Through a mixture of preference and circumstance, arguably three of the four best players on the planet right now turn out for their club side draped in a curved number nine. There are plenty of other potent forwards outside that elite bracket of Ballon d'Or contenders following in the long tradition of prolific number nines.
Goals - The first demand of any number nine. All-round play - The best nines have a more well-rounded role in the modern game. Honours - Individual and collective accolades will be taken into consideration.
Best Number Nines in World Football Right Now (2024) Rank Player Nation Club 1. Harry Kane England Bayern Munich 2. Erling Haaland .