# Who is the best number 9 in England national team history?

> England's deadliest center-forwards over the decades — from war-era target men to record-breaking modern marksmen. Who's the king of the box?

*By YPB Team · Published May 12, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-best-number-9-in-england-national-team-history*

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## Current results (0 votes)

1. **Alan Shearer**
   Premier League's all-time top scorer and Euro '96 Golden Boot winner, England's iconic #9.
2. **Bobby Charlton**
   1966 World Cup winner and 1966 Ballon d'Or winner, England's record scorer until Rooney.
3. **Gary Lineker**
   1986 World Cup Golden Boot winner and one of England's most lethal strikers.
4. **Geoff Hurst**
   1966 World Cup final hat-trick hero and one of England's most celebrated strikers.
5. **Jimmy Greaves**
   Tottenham scoring machine and one of the most prolific finishers in English history.
6. **Harry Kane**
   England's all-time top scorer and current Bayern Munich striker, modern #9 par excellence.
7. **Nat Lofthouse**
   'The Lion of Vienna' and Bolton legend who terrorized defences in the 1950s.
8. **Tommy Lawton**
   Pre-WWII Everton and Chelsea striker, a clinical heading specialist for England.
9. **Michael Owen**
   2001 Ballon d'Or winner and Liverpool sharpshooter who scored at the 1998 World Cup as a teen.
10. **Roger Hunt**
   1966 World Cup winner and Liverpool legend who started ahead of Greaves in the final.
11. **Wayne Rooney**
   Former England all-time top scorer, prolific from boyhood through Manchester United stardom.
12. **Andy Cole**
   Five-time Premier League winner with Manchester United, classic #9 finisher.
13. **Peter Crouch**
   Towering target man beloved for his goal celebrations and impressive scoring rate.

Tags: football, players, world cup, england, national teams, strikers