Kane Discusses Decline of Traditional No.9 Role in Football

Harry Kane, regarded as one of the leading center-forwards of his time, has shared his thoughts on the ongoing changes in football, especially concerning the diminished role of the traditional No.9. In an interview with TNT Sports Brazil, the striker for Bayern Munich conveyed his disappointment regarding the 'tactical shift' that has resulted in a decrease of world-class, pure strikers in recent years.

For more than ten years, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have reigned over global football, accumulating an extraordinary number of titles and individual honors. Their achievements—supported by a total of 13 Ballon d'Or awards, with Messi winning eight—have established new benchmarks for excellence in the sport. However, Kane believes that this dominance, along with evolving tactics, has unintentionally impacted the aspirations of the upcoming generation of players.

Kane noted a significant transformation in the world of football, where young players are increasingly inspired by Messi and Ronaldo, who have excelled in wide roles. He indicates that this trend has led to a change in player ambitions, with many aspiring to play in wide positions rather than in the traditional central striker spot.

“I believe the game is evolving somewhat. The current coaching methods lead many young players to aspire to be wingers,” Kane remarked. “Messi and Ronaldo have had a long reign dominating from the flanks, and many players looked up to them. In my younger days, I had the opportunity to watch some of the greatest strikers, which made me want to be a No.9. That’s simply the nature of football.”

Kane's observations regarding the emergence of wingers such as Vinicius Jr., Kylian Mbappé, Mohamed Salah, and Lamine Yamal, who prefer to operate in wide positions, underscore a significant tactical transition that has weakened the focus on the traditional central striker role.

The England captain, having established himself as one of the top No.9s in contemporary football, shared his concern regarding the declining significance of this role. He highlighted the growing trend of false nines and hybrid offensive positions, in which players navigate the space between traditional forwards and attacking midfielders, thereby reducing the necessity for traditional strikers.

“It’s unfortunate because, in the end, scoring goals is undoubtedly the most challenging aspect of football. I would like to see a resurgence of classic No.9s emerging in the game,' Kane added. 'However, over time, you'll witness it ebb and flow. During my formative years, there were some truly remarkable players fulfilling that role.” Kane’s comments underline the ongoing discussion regarding the balance between tactical advancements and the diminishing presence of traditional football roles.

Kane, recognized for his precise finishing and smart positioning, also expressed his deep admiration for Brazil's iconic striker Ronaldo Nazário. While he recognized the distinct differences in their styles of play, Kane pointed out that Ronaldo's exceptional technical skills, pace, and dribbling ability positioned him among the all-time greats in football.

“We play in completely different ways, but in the end, his finishing was among the best, as was his ability to maneuver with the ball. His dribbling skills and movement were exceptional. I believe he was as talented as anyone in the world. Honestly, he possessed a level of skill beyond mine, not to mention his impressive pace. During my formative years, I made it a point to observe all the top strikers globally, and he was at his peak then. It was truly a pleasure to watch him.”

While Kane contemplates the changes in the No.9 position and its slow diminishment, he remains concentrated on the immediate challenges ahead as Bayern Munich gears up for several important matches. The German powerhouse is set to compete against PSG in the Champions League this Tuesday, followed by Bundesliga encounters with Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen.

Kane's observations provide a valuable perspective on the evolving nature of the forward position, combining a distinctive sense of nostalgia for the traditional striker role with a pragmatic grasp of the tactical advancements in contemporary football. Nevertheless, Kane's unwavering dedication to scoring goals and his status among the top players in European football continue to remain constant.