Arsenal need one, Manchester United want on, Liverpool have found a way to play without one.
We’re talking number nines: an out-and-out striker who leads the line, scores goals and is a focal point for the rest of the team.
Some of the world’s best players, and goalscorers, don’t necessarily play this role. Mohamed Salah, Ousmane Dembele, even Lionel Messi, play in wider areas so were not considered for this list.
Here is our top 10:
10. Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr)
Still considered the greatest player of all-time by his army of fans, the Portugal striker would have been much higher on this list in previous years.
Having transitioned from winger to centre forward, his uncanny knack for finding the back of the net remains in tact.
He led the Saudi Pro League charts last season with 25 goals – ahead of the likes of Ivan Toney and Karim Benzema – and added another eight for his country as they won the Nations League, second only to Sweden’s Viktor Gyokores.
The 40-year-old has scored 938 times in his remarkable career.
9. Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
The Nigeria striker would also be higher on this list had he performed for longer in a top European league. He has all the attributes to be the best number nine in the world – pace, strength, athleticism, and finishing prowess both in the air and on the floor.
Osimhen scored 26 goals to help Napoli to the Serie A title in 2023 and, after an acrimonious exit, powered Galatasaray to the Super Lig crown with 26 goals in 30 games.
The Osimhen stretch 😤@GalatasaraySK | #UEL pic.twitter.com/3zPg3xTylK
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) July 10, 2025
8. Viktor Gyokores (Sporting CP)
Similar to Osimhen in physical stature. Gyokores has blossomed in Portugal after showing promise with Coventry. The Sweden international has scored 68 goals for Sporting as they won back-to-back Primeira Liga titles.
Has also shown he can cut it on the European stage with six goals in eight games in the Champions League last season, including a hat-trick against Manchester City.
7. Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid)
The Argentina striker is still just 25 years of age but has enjoyed incredible success in his short career.
Alvarez has won domestic titles in his homeland and England, as well as the Champions League with Manchester City and the World Cup and Copa America with Argentina.
Left City for Atletico Madrid last summer after becoming frustrated with a lack of starts, and promptly rattled in 29 goals in his first season in Spain.
Julián Álvarez : striker moder. pic.twitter.com/B4VAOLD4Ju
— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) July 10, 2025
6. Alexander Isak (Newcastle United)
Tall and gangly but with an unerring accuracy in front of goal, the 25-year-old Swede has emerged as one of the best strikers in the Premier League over his three seasons at Newcastle.
Isak has scored 54 top-flight goals in 86 appearances for the Magpies.
Less prolific at international level with 16 in 52 games but don’t be surprised if that tally increases rapidly as he enters the best years of his career.
5. Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
One of the most consistent strikers in Europe since moving to Inter from Racing in 2018.
The 27-year-old has scored 115 goals in 237 games in Serie A, helping the Nerazzurri claim the Scudetto twice, as well as two Coppas Italia.
He has also shone at international level, playing a crucial role as Argentina won the 2022 World Cup, and the Copa America in 2021 and 2024. Was the Copa’s leading scorer last summer, including the extra-time winner as Argentina beat Colombia.
One of the best penalty-box predators around.
4. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
Has arguably flown under the radar due to the brilliance of Messi and Ronaldo, but Lewandowski’s numbers are phenomenal.
The Pole has only failed to score 20 league goals twice in the past 14 seasons, and on those occasions he managed 17 and 19 respectively.
A reliable presence for Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, Lewandowski shows no sign of slowing down despite turning 36.
Scored 27 goals in 34 La Liga appearances last season as Barca won a domestic double.
Physically imposing, yet mobile, he is strong in the air and surprisingly deft on the ground.
⏪ On this day in 2015 🗓️@Lewy_Official scores 5️⃣ goals in 9️⃣ minutes! 🐐
Unreal finishing from the @FCBayernEN star. 😵 pic.twitter.com/KEixX1XIS7
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) September 22, 2021
3. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
As a player, not dissimilar to Lewandowski. Kane is second on the Premier League list of all-time record goalscorers and would have had a much bigger haul of trophies had he not been loyal to Tottenham.
Kane scored 213 goals in 317 Premier League games for Spurs before moving to Bayern in 2023.
He has been even more prolific in the Bundesliga with 62 goals in 63 games and finally broke his trophy hoodoo by helping the club clinch the league title last season.
England’s all-time record goalscorer with 73 from 107 caps, Kane is only the third man to win the Golden Shoe for top-scorer at both a World Cup and European Championship.
2. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
Was supposed to be the final piece of the Madrid jigsaw after joining on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain but ended up empty-handed last season as Barcelona swept the board domestically.
That doesn’t diminish Mbappe’s brilliance, however, as he continues to carve out an incredible career.
Still just 26, the France captain has scored 226 goals in 292 club games and helped himself to seven Ligue 1 titles and four Coupe de France winners’ medals.
His performances on the international stage have been no less spectacular, helping Les Bleus win the World Cup in 2018 and then netting a hat-trick in a losing effort in the final in Qatar four years later.
1. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
At 24 years of age, Haaland is the youngest man on the list and will undoubtedly go on to match, or beat, a number of the records held by the other players below him.
At 6ft 5in, the Norwegian is built like a machine, and scores goals with machine-like ruthlessness.
Emerged at RB Salzburg in 2020 before a move to Borussia Dortmund thrust him into the spotlight with a 23-minute hat-trick on his debut.
Helped himself to 62 goals in 67 Bundesliga games before joining Manchester City with whom he has continued to plunder goals at a staggering rate.
Has notched 124 in 146 games in all competitions to help Pep Guardiola’s side to two Premier League titles and an elusive Champions League crown.
Is no less prolific at international level, with 42 goals in 43 games for his country.
All 22 of @ErlingHaaland‘s 2024/25 @premierleague goals 🥶 pic.twitter.com/w1RyMxhinY
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 9, 2025
