Soccer Players With The Number 9 (Strikers + Goals)

Some of the most prolific goal scorers in soccer have worn the number 9 jersey, which is frequently associated with the striker position. Donning the number 9 shirt brings with it the expectation that you will be your team’s primary attacking threat and goal-getter. Some of the most legendary players in soccer history have proudly worn the number 9.

This article will provide an overview of the most iconic strikers and center-forwards to have graced the game while wearing the coveted number 9 shirt. We will gain insight into how they have cemented their legacies as lethal finishers and highlight why the number 9 jersey is forever associated with goals and attacking brilliance. In this article, we look at the players:

• Short Biography
• Soccer talent
• Career achievements
• Career contributions

The Best Soccer PLayers With The Number 9

This collection of players with the number 9 are all strikers. If you love goals in soccer, these players have broken all of the records. Check out the player’s records and watch the highlights of their goals. These nines should be known by everyone.

Ronaldo Nazário

Ronaldo Nazário de Lima, commonly known as Ronaldo, is a retired Brazilian soccer player widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all time. Ronaldo first gained fame as a phenomenal goal scorer for Cruzeiro in Brazil, and then PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, before signing for Spanish club Barcelona in 1996.

Stats:

• Date of birth: September 18, 1976
• Nationality: Brazilian
• Teams played for:
  1. Cruzeiro (1993-1994)
  2. PSV Eindhoven (1994-1996)
  3. Barcelona (1996-1997)
  4. Inter Milan (1997-2002)
  5. Real Madrid (2002-2007)
  6. AC Milan (2007-2008)
  7. Corinthians (2009-2011)
• Positions played: Forward
• Trophies won:
  1. FIFA World Cup (1994, 2002) – 2 times
  2. Copa America (1997, 1999) – 2 times
  3. UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup (1996-1997)
  4. Copa del Rey (1996-1997)
  5. Supercopa de España (1996-1997)
  6. Eredivisie (1994-1995)
  7. Serie A (1997-1998)
  8. La Liga (2002-2003)
  9. Copa America Golden Shoe (1997) – top scorer
  10. FIFA World Player of the Year (1996, 1997, 2002) – 3 times
• Other significant achievements:
  1. Named to the FIFA 100 list of the greatest living players
  2. Scored over 350 career goals
  3. Known for his speed, skill, and goal-scoring ability

It was at Barcelona that Ronaldo truly announced himself on the world stage, scoring 47 goals in 49 appearances and winning the FIFA World Player of the Year award at just 20 years old. After one season at Barcelona, Ronaldo signed for Inter Milan in Italy, where he won the UEFA Cup in 1998.

However, it was Ronaldo’s performances for Brazil that cemented his legacy. He helped Brazil win the 1994 and 2002 World Cups, scoring eight goals across the two tournaments and winning the Golden Ball as the best player in 2002. Ronaldo scored 62 goals in 97 appearances for Brazil and held the record for most goals scored at World Cup tournaments with 15 until it was broken by Miroslav Klose in 2014.

Ronaldo was renowned for his blistering acceleration, dexterous dribbling skills, powerful shot and clinical finishing. His impact was cut short by knee injuries later in his career, but during his prime in the 1990s and early 2000s, Ronaldo was unquestionably the most feared, devastating striker in soccer. He won numerous individual honors and club trophies at PSV, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid before retiring in 2011.

Alfredo Di Stéfano

Alfredo Di Stéfano was an Argentine-Spanish soccer player widely regarded as one of the most complete footballers of all time. Born in Buenos Aires in 1926, Di Stéfano began his career with Argentine club River Plate before controversially moving to Colombian side Millonarios in 1949. It was in Colombia that Di Stéfano first displayed the all-round talents that would make him a legend. He scored 267 goals in 292 games during his time at Millonarios.

Stats:

• Name: Alfredo Di Stéfano Laulhé
• Date of Birth: July 4, 1926
• Nationality: Spanish and Argentine
• Teams Played for:
  • River Plate (Argentina) – 1945-1949
  • Huracán (Argentina) – 1946-1947 (loan)
  • Millonarios (Colombia) – 1949-1953
  • Real Madrid (Spain) – 1953-1964
• Positions Played: Second Striker, Centre-Forward
• Trophies Won:
  • With River Plate:
    • Argentine Primera División: 1945
  • With Millonarios:
    • Colombian Professional Football League: 1949, 1951, 1952, 1953
    • Copa Colombia: 1953
  • With Real Madrid:
    • La Liga: 1953-54, 1954-55, 1956-57, 1957-58, 1960-61, 1961-62
    • Copa del Generalísimo (now Copa del Rey): 1961-62
    • European Cup: 1955-56, 1956-57, 1957-58, 1958-59, 1959-60, 1965-66
    • Intercontinental Cup: 1960, 1998
  • Other Significant Achievements:
    • European Cup Top Scorer: 1957-58, 1958-59
    • FIFA World Player of the Year: 1957, 1959, 1960
    • Ballon d’Or: 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962
    • FIFA Order of Merit: 2004
    • UEFA President’s Award: 2007
    • Real Madrid All-time Top Scorer: 308 goals

In 1953, Di Stéfano signed with Spanish club Real Madrid and it was there that he enjoyed his peak years. During his 11 seasons with Real, Di Stéfano helped the club win five consecutive European Cups from 1956 to 1960, a feat unmatched in the competition’s history. He scored 308 goals for Real in all competitions.

Di Stéfano was the complete forward – blessed with stamina, creativity, dribbling skills, vision, positional intelligence and an extraordinary goalscoring ability with either foot. He was the fulcrum as Real Madrid dominated European soccer in the 1950s. Di Stéfano also played international soccer for Argentina, Colombia and Spain. He died in 2014 at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy as one of soccer’s first truly world-class superstars.

Alan Shearer

Alan Shearer is an English former footballer who played as a striker. He is considered one of the greatest Premier League players of all time due to his prolific goal-scoring record. Shearer spent 10 years at Newcastle United, where he became the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, netting 206 goals across all competitions.

Stats:

• Date of Birth: August 13, 1970
• Nationality: English
• Teams played for:
  1. Wallsend Boys Club (Youth Club, 1983–1986)
  2. Southampton FC (Youth Club, 1986–1988)
  3. Southampton FC (1988-1992)
  4. Blackburn Rovers (1992-1996)
  5. Newcastle United (1996-2006)
• Positions Played: Center-Forward
• Trophies Won:
  • Premier League Golden Boot: 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97
  • UEFA European Championship Golden Boot: 1996
  • Premier League Player of the Year: 1994–95
  • Most goals in Premier League history: 260 goals
  • Most Premier League penalties scored: 56
  • Fewest matches to score 100 Premier League goals: 124 matches
  • Member of FIFA 100
  • Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2001 Queen’s Birthday Honours
  • Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2016 Queen’s Birthday Honours

Prior to this, Shearer played for Southampton and Blackburn Rovers, winning the Premier League title with Blackburn in 1995. He was the top scorer in the Premier League for three consecutive seasons from 1994–1997, winning the Golden Boot award each time. Shearer also captained England and scored 30 goals in 63 appearances for his country.

Renowned for his aerial ability, physicality, and lethal finishing, Shearer exemplified the classic English center-forward. He was a relentless goalscorer who consistently delivered season after season. Shearer won a plethora of accolades, including being named Premier League Team of the Decade (1992–2001).

He scored 260 Premier League goals, making him the competition’s all-time top scorer. Shearer’s goalscoring exploits, longevity at the top level, and achievements with both club and country cement his legacy as one of the greatest strikers in Premier League and English football history.

Ian Rush

Ian Rush is a Welsh former professional footballer who is best known for his time playing for Liverpool. As a striker, Rush set goalscoring records for both Liverpool and the Welsh national team. He spent two spells with Liverpool from 1980–1987 and 1988–1996, bookended by a season with Juventus in Italy.

Stats:

• Date of birth: October 20, 1961
• Nationality: Welsh
• Teams played for:
  1. Chester City (1980–1981)
  2. Liverpool (1980–1986, 1988–1996)
  3. Juventus (1987-1988)
  4. Leeds United (1996)
  5. Newcastle United (1997-1998)
  6. Sheffield United (1998)
  7. Wrexham (1998-1999)
  8. Sydney Olympic (2000)
• Positions played: center-Forward
• Trophies won:
  1. First Division/Premier League (5 times with Liverpool: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986)
  2. FA Cup (3 times with Liverpool: 1986, 1989, 1992)
  3. League Cup (5 times with Liverpool: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1995)
  4. European Cup/Champions League (2 times with Liverpool: 1981, 1984)
  5. European Super Cup (1 time with Liverpool: 1977)
  6. League Super Cup (1 time with Liverpool: 1986)
• Other significant achievements:
  1. All-time leading goal scorer for Liverpool with 346 goals
  2. Inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2006
  3. PFA Young Player of the Year (1983)
  4. FWA Footballer of the Year (1984)
  5. Welsh Sports Personality of the Year (1984)
  6. I was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 1996
  7. Played for the Welsh national team, scoring 28 goals in 73 appearances

During his time with Liverpool, Rush won five league titles, three FA Cups, and the 1984 European Cup. He scored a total of 346 goals for Liverpool, making him the club’s all-time leading goal scorer.

Rush was renowned for his pace, movement, and predatory instincts in front of the goal. He forged a prolific partnership with Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool, with the duo terrorizing defenses throughout the 1980s. Rush also scored 28 goals in 73 appearances for the Welsh national team, making him their record goal scorer as well.

He won numerous accolades over his illustrious career, including being named PFA Players’ Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year in 1984. Ian Rush’s goalscoring exploits, trophies won, and records set during Liverpool’s most successful era cement his legacy as one of the club’s and country’s greatest ever strikers.

Rush was named PFA Young Player of the Year in 1983 and 1984, European Golden Boot in 1984, and International Personality of the Year by FAI International Awards and BBC Personality of the Year after helping Liverpool to a first successive First Division Double.

Fernando Torres

Fernando Torres is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a striker. He is best known for his time at Atlético Madrid and Liverpool. Torres started his career with Atlético Madrid, progressing through their youth system to make his first team debut in 2001.

Stats:

• Date of birth: March 20, 1984
• Nationality: Spanish
• Teams played for:
  • Atlético Madrid (2001–2007, 2015–2018)
  • Liverpool (2007-2011)
  • Chelsea (2011-2015)
  • AC Milan (loan, 2014-2015)
  • Sagan Tosu (2018-2019)
• Positions played: center-Forward
• Trophies won:
  • UEFA European Championship with Spain (2008, 2012)
  • FIFA World Cup with Spain (2010)
  • UEFA Champions League with Chelsea (2012)
  • UEFA Europa League with Chelsea (2013)
  • FA Cup with Chelsea (2012)
  • UEFA Super Cup with Chelsea (2012)
  • FIFA Club World Cup with Chelsea (2012)
• Other significant achievements:
  • PFA Young Player of the Year (2007-2008)
  • UEFA Euro Golden Boot (2012)
  • UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament (2008, 2012)
  • PFA Team of the Year (2007–2008, 2008–2009)
  • Premier League Player of the Month (February 2008, October 2009)
  • Premier League 20 Seasons Awards: Best Overseas Player (1992–2012)
  • FIFA Confederations Cup Silver Shoe (2013)
  • FIFA Confederations Cup Team of the Tournament (2013)
  • UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season (2013-2014)
  • J. League Best Eleven (2018)

He would go on to score 82 goals in 214 total appearances for the club, winning the Segunda División title in 2002. In 2007, Torres completed a £20 million move to Liverpool, where he formed a prolific partnership with Steven Gerrard. He scored 81 goals in 142 games for the Reds, including a record-breaking 33 goals in his first season in the Premier League.

Torres was renowned for his pace, aerial ability, and clinical finishing. At his peak at Liverpool, he was one of the most feared strikers in the world. Torres also helped Spain win their first World Cup in 2010 and two European Championships in 2008 and 2012. He moved to Chelsea in 2011 for a British record £50 million fee, becoming the fourth player to score over 100 Premier League goals.

Though he had less success at Chelsea, Torres cemented his legacy at previous clubs as one of the top Spanish strikers of his generation. His goalscoring exploits, trophy haul, and importance for club and country solidify his place among the great number nines.

Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez is a Uruguayan soccer player who currently plays for Atletico Madrid and the Uruguay national team. Suarez is considered one of the best strikers in the world and has had a prolific goalscoring career. He began his career in Uruguay with Nacional before moving to Europe to play for clubs like Ajax, Liverpool, and Barcelona.

Stats:

• Date of birth: January 24, 1987
• Nationality: Uruguay
• Teams played for:
  1. Club Deportivo Artigas de Salto (youth)
  2. Urreta FC (youth)
  3. Club Nacional (youth)
  4. Groningen (2006-2007)
  5. Ajax (2007-2011)
  6. Liverpool (2011-2014)
  7. Barcelona (2014-2020)
  8. Atletico Madrid (2020-2022)
  9. Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense (2022-present)
• Positions played:
  1. Centre-Forward
  2. Right Winger
  3. Left Winger
• Trophies won:
  1. Eredivisie (2 times with Ajax)
  2. KNVB Cup (1 time with Ajax)
  3. Johan Cruijff Shield (2 times with Ajax)
  4. Premier League (1 time with Liverpool)
  5. UEFA Champions League (1 time with Barcelona)
  6. FIFA Club World Cup (1 time with Barcelona)
  7. La Liga (4 times with Barcelona)
  8. Copa del Rey (4 times with Barcelona)
  9. Supercopa de España (2 times with Barcelona)
  10. La Liga (1 time with Atletico Madrid)
  11. Copa America (1 time with Uruguay)
• Other significant achievements:
  1. Pichichi Trophy (top scorer in La Liga) – 2013/2014
  2. European Golden Shoe – 2013/2014
  3. FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball – 2013
  4. FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Boot – 2013
  5. UEFA Best Player in Europe Award – 2014
  6. FIFPro World XI – 2013, 2014, 2015
  7. UEFA Team of the Year – 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
  8. Premier League Player of the Season – 2013/2014
  9. PFA Players’ Player of the Year – 2013/2014
  10. European Golden Shoe Runner-up – 2015/2016, 2016/2017, 2017/2018
  11. FIFA World Cup Golden Boot Runner-up – 2014

At Liverpool from 2011-2014, Suarez formed a prolific attacking trio with Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling, scoring 82 goals in 133 appearances. His most successful period was at Barcelona from 2014-2020, where he won numerous trophies including four La Liga titles and the 2015 Champions League.

Suarez is Uruguay’s all-time leading goal scorer with 68 goals and helped lead them to a Copa America title in 2011. He is known for his creativity, goalscoring ability and intensity on the pitch, but has also courted controversy several times in his career for biting opponents.

Overall, Luis Suarez is one of the most talented and controversial soccer players of his generation. His success at club and international level has made him a global superstar, admired for his skills and drive to win. However, his aggressive behavior and biting incidents have also drawn criticism.

Regardless, Suarez’s impact on the sport is undeniable, whether through his highlight-reel goals, competitive fire, or colorful personality on and off the field. When focused, he is capable of being one of the most unstoppable and entertaining players in the world.

Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku is a Belgian professional soccer player who plays as a striker for Serie A club Inter Milan and the Belgian national team. Born in Antwerp, Belgium in 1993, Lukaku began his senior career with Belgian Pro League club Anderlecht in 2009. He then signed for Premier League club Chelsea in 2011, though he was immediately loaned out to West Bromwich Albion and later Everton.

Stats:

• Date of birth: May 13, 1993
• Nationality: Belgian
• Teams played for:
  1. Rupel Boom FC (youth club)
  2. KFC Wintam (youth club)
  3. Anderlecht (2009-2011)
  4. Chelsea (2011-2014)
  5. West Bromwich Albion (loan, 2012-2013)
  6. Everton (2013-2014, 2017-2019)
  7. Manchester United (2017-2019)
  8. Inter Milan (2019-2021)
  9. Chelsea (2021-2023)
  10. AS Roma (on loan from Chelsea, 2023-present)
• Positions played: Centre-forward
• Trophies won:
  1. Belgian Pro League with Anderlecht (2010-2011)
  2. Belgian Supercup with Anderlecht (2010-2011)
  3. UEFA Europa League with Chelsea (2020-2021)
  4. Serie A with Inter Milan (2020-2021)
• Significant achievements:
  1. Most goals in Belgian Pro League by a teenager (15 goals in the 2009-2010 season)
  2. Premier League Player of the Month (March 2017, December 2017)
  3. PFA Premier League Team of the Year (2016-2017, 2017-2018)
  4. Belgian Golden Shoe (2011, 2012)
  5. UEFA Europa League top scorer (2014-2015, 2020-2021)
  6. FIFA World Cup Bronze Boot (2018)
  7. UEFA Nations League top scorer (2018-2019)
  8. Belgian Sportsman of the Year (2018)

It was at Everton between 2014-2017 that Lukaku emerged as one of the Premier League’s top young strikers, scoring 68 goals in 141 appearances for the club. In 2017, Lukaku joined Manchester United for a club record fee, though he struggled at times to replicate his Everton form at Old Trafford.

After two seasons with United, Lukaku transferred to Inter Milan in Italy in 2019. At Inter, Lukaku has re-discovered his best form, winning the Serie A title in 2021 and being named Serie A Most Valuable Player that season. For the Belgian national team, Lukaku made his senior debut in 2010 and has since become Belgium’s all-time top goalscorer with 68 goals in 102 appearances.

He has represented Belgium at two World Cups and two European Championships. Known for his power, pace and lethal finishing, Lukaku is regarded as one of the top strikers in world soccer when on form. Though he can be inconsistent at times, his strength and scoring record make him a fearsome presence up front for both club and country.

Jamie Vardy

Jamie Vardy is an English professional soccer player who plays as a striker for Premier League club Leicester City and the English national team. Vardy is best known for his rags-to-riches story, having risen from amateur football and working in factories while playing non-league soccer to becoming a Premier League champion with Leicester City in 2016.

Stats:

• Date of Birth: January 11, 1987
• Nationality: English
• Teams Played for:
  1. Stocksbridge Park Steels (2003-2007)
  2. Halifax Town (2007-2010)
  3. Fleetwood Town (2011-2012)
  4. Leicester City (2012-present)
• Positions Played: Centre-Forward
• Trophies Won:
  1. Premier League (2015-16) – 1 time
  2. FA Cup (2020-21) – 1 time
  3. Community Shield (2021) – 1 time
  4. EFL Cup (2021-22) – 1 time
• Other Significant Achievements:
  1. Premier League Golden Boot (2015-16) – 1 time
  2. Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year (2015-16) – 1 time
  3. Premier League Player of the Season (2015-16) – 1 time
  4. PFA Players’ Player of the Year (2015-16) – 1 time
  5. PFA Team of the Year (2015-16) – 1 time
  6. Premier League Player of the Month (November 2015, April 2016, November 2019) – 3 times
  7. Premier League 100 Club (scored 100 goals in the Premier League)

Born in Sheffield in 1987, Vardy started his career with Stocksbridge Park Steels F.C. before joining F.C. Halifax Town and then Fleetwood Town. His prolific goalscoring for Fleetwood led Leicester City to sign him in 2012 while they were still in the Championship.

Vardy played a key role in Leicester’s promotion to the Premier League in 2014. But it was in the 2015-16 Premier League season that Vardy truly announced himself, as his 24 goals helped the Foxes achieve one of the biggest upsets in sports history by winning the Premier League title. Vardy set a Premier League record that season by scoring in 11 consecutive matches.

He made his England debut in 2015 and was selected for the 2018 World Cup squad. Known for his incredible work rate and pace up front, Vardy has continued to be an integral part of Leicester City’s success since their title triumph. Though now in his 30s, Vardy’s attacking instincts, movement and eye for goal still make him one of the deadliest strikers in England.

Joel Powel

Soccer Analyst and Publisher at Soccer Blade | Soccer Blade | + posts

Joel is a seasoned soccer journalist and analyst with many years of experience in the field. Joel specializes in game analysis, player profiles, transfer news, and has a keen eye for the tactical nuances of the game. He played at various levels in the game and coached teams - he is happy to share his insight with you.

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