There are just nine days to go until the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, and as part of our countdown, we have had a look at some of the best No. 9s in the history of the tournament, including two former record scorers and an African superstar.
Tired of reading? Click through the gallery above to see some of the best No. 9s to have played in the showpiece.
When thinking of players who wore the famous No. 9 jersey, one of the first names that comes to mind is Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazario. The striker took part in three different World Cups, winning the 1994 and 2002 editions, while finishing as a runner-up in 1998. He scored 15 goals over the three tournaments – only bettered by Germany's Miroslav Klose – and 62 overall for the Selecao.
Gerd Muller has a phenomenal goals record for Die Mannschaft, scoring 68 goals in just 62 appearances. Before Klose and Ronaldo, Muller held the record for the most goals in World Cup history, having netted 14 times in the 1970 and 1974 versions. He retired from international football after scoring the winner in the 1974 World Cup final against the Netherlands, seeing Germany lift their second global title.
Hardly any other African striker is as well known as Cameroon's Roger Milla, who, at the age of 38, set the 1990 FIFA World Cup alight. He scored four goals to help Cameroon become the first African nation to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament and many still remember him for his trademark celebration: the corner flag dance. Four years later, he became the oldest goalscorer in the showpiece's history, at the age of 42.
Read: The Best No. 10s In World Cup History
Mzansi's Shaun Bartlett deserves an honorable mention, having netted twice at the 1998 World Cup, and 28 overall for South Africa.
Who do you think was the greatest player to have worn the No. 9 shirt at the World Cup? Have your say in the comments section below.
