The Legends of Real Madrid’s Number 9: Ranking the players who have worn the number 9 jersey for Real Madrid since 1992, we explore their impact and contributions to the club’s rich legacy.
-
Roberto Soldado:
Emerging from Real Madrid’s youth academy, Soldado inherited the number 9 jersey in 2007 after a successful loan spell at Osasuna. Despite the club’s La Liga triumph in 2007-08, Soldado struggled to find his form and was eventually sold to Getafe for €4 million.
-
Javier Saviola:
Transitioning from the number 18 shirt in his debut season, Saviola adopted the number 9 jersey for the 2008-09 season. His time with the number 9 shirt was marked by a mere two goals in 12 appearances before he moved to Benfica.
-
Davor Suker:
Recruited from Sevilla in 1996, Suker formed a lethal attacking trio alongside Raul and Predrag Mijatovic. Across three years, he scored 49 goals in 109 appearances, contributing to La Liga and Champions League victories.
-
Fernando Morientes:
Morientes first wore the number 9 shirt for Madrid in the 1999-00 season, netting 19 goals across all competitions. He famously scored the opening goal in the Champions League final against Valencia, securing the title. Morientes clinched two La Liga championships and another Champions League victory over the subsequent three years before becoming a backup option for Ronaldo.
-
Cristiano Ronaldo:
While renowned for the number 7 jersey, Ronaldo temporarily embraced the number 9 shirt during the 2009-10 season, following club legend Raul’s departure to Schalke. Ronaldo’s debut season in the shirt saw him score 33 goals in 35 appearances across all competitions.
-
Ronaldo (Brazilian):
The Brazilian phenomenon made a spectacular debut season at Madrid, initially wearing the number 11 shirt before inheriting the number 9 from Morientes in 2003. Over the next four years, he netted 74 goals in 133 appearances, contributing significantly to the club’s success.
-
Ivan Zamorano:
Zamorano’s arrival in 1992 saw him tasked with filling the shoes of Hugo Sanchez at the Bernabeu. His tenure was marked by exceptional goal-scoring prowess, netting 101 goals in 173 appearances, and aiding in Real Madrid’s first La Liga triumph in five years.
-
Karim Benzema:
Benzema inherited the number 9 shirt from Cristiano Ronaldo in 2010. Despite often being overshadowed by superstar teammates, Benzema remains an indispensable asset to Real Madrid. His remarkable consistency has yielded 240 goals in 480 appearances over a decade. With three La Liga titles, four Champions League trophies, and two Copa del Rey titles, Benzema stands as the most successful number 9 for Real Madrid since Alfredo Di Stefano.
The journey of Real Madrid’s number 9 jersey is one that weaves through iconic players and historic moments. From legends like Di Stefano and Hugo Sanchez to modern-day stars like Benzema, each wearer has contributed to the rich tapestry of the club’s storied history
