AC Milan’s Historic No.9 Ranking Revealed — Van Basten, Weah, Inzaghi Shine; Is Higuaín the Weakest Link?

Recently, MADRIDISTA MANIA released a compelling ranking of AC Milan’s iconic No.9 shirts throughout history. With names like Marco van Basten, George Weah, and Filippo Inzaghi headlining the list, the weight of Milan’s No.9 jersey speaks for itself. Jean-Pierre Papin and Olivier Giroud also feature, each representing a different era, yet all united by one trait — they delivered goals when Milan needed them most.

Viewed together, these eight strikers clearly illustrate just how demanding the No.9 role at AC Milan has always been. The answer lies not in debate, but in the names and numbers themselves. (Data source: Transfermarkt)

Why the AC Milan No.9 Is So Special

First, the ceiling is extraordinarily high.
Van Basten and Weah were not merely prolific scorers — they defined eras. They combined elite finishing with the ability to elevate Milan’s attacking identity, striking fear into opponents before kickoff. Even Papin, despite a brief stay, earned his place by meeting the unforgiving standards of the No.9 shirt.

Second, the variety of profiles is remarkable.
From Inzaghi to Giroud, Milan’s No.9s have never been about flair alone. They represent reliability in title races and decisive moments. One is a classic penalty-box predator; the other a modern target man. Different styles, same outcome — goals when it matters most.

As for Gonzalo Higuaín, labeling him the “worst” may say more about expectations than performance. In a lineage this strong, even being part of the conversation reflects the immense legacy of Milan’s No.9.