HOME > Football

Villa: The traditional number 9 player has not disappeared, I admire Alvarez very much

5:43pm, 12 November 2025【Football】

November 12th: Spain’s top scorer in history (59 goals) expressed his views on the selection of the Matador Legion’s No. 9 center, and mentioned the world-class forward in his mind.

If you search for "center forward" on the Internet, algorithms and AI will tell you the same definition: "The center forward, also known as the arrow or forward, is the most advanced player on the football field, close to the opponent's goal, and his main task is to score goals."

Although this definition is widely known, the Spanish team still has not made it clear who the No. 9 center is. This issue is decided by the head coach. De la Fuente said: "Captain Morata will participate in the World Cup." However, the facts show that Morata was not called up in the last two national team rosters.

There will be a World Cup next summer, and discussions about who should be Spain's No. 9 striker have already started in the streets. In recent years, Morata has been the No. 9 center who has successively won the main position of the national team, but De La Fuente has also used Oyarzabal (the current main force), Iglesias, Ferran, Joselu, Ansu Fati, Rafa Mir, Olmo and Asensio in this position, and Borja Mayoral is also on the alternative list.

No one is more suitable to participate in this discussion than David Villa, Spain's top scorer in history: "Although it is not a good thing to say from my mouth, finding a striker who can score goals is the hardest thing. There were many great strikers in our era, but there are always Some people say there is a lack of No. 9. So I think it is more because there is always such a need, rather than really not having the right candidates. Spain has a lot of good forwards and they are proving it."

For Villa, the traditional No. 9 player has not disappeared. "I don't think there is no No. 9 player in the national team now. Oyarzabal has indeed played more, but players with different characteristics such as Morata and Ferran have also appeared in the center position of the national team. It depends on the needs of each game. Football is constantly developing and there are various Different ways to win, sometimes require a more fixed No. 9, sometimes require a more flexible No. 9. "

As for who Villa and Morientes will choose as the center of the national team, the two seem to be somewhat evasive. Morientes said: "I have great respect for the head coach, and the team's record is now very good. He can do whatever he wants."

Villa also expressed a similar view: "I think there are many personnel choices. I am not the head coach, he is the decision-maker. There are many excellent people in Spain. There are many forwards to choose from, and I believe he will choose the player who is most suitable to represent Spain."

However, Villa did not hide his current choice of world-class forwards: "When it comes to foreign players, I like Alvarez very much now. I think he is an all-around forward."

Mini-game recommendations:Car Wash Salon Workshop