When it comes to identifying the best striker on the planet, there are few more qualified people around than two-time Ballon d'Or and World Cup winner, Ronaldo Nazario.
The Brazilian icon is regarded as one of the finest number nines to ever grace the beautiful game, scoring 330 goals for the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, PSV and the two Milan clubs.
He was present at the 2026 World Cup, where he watched some of the present generation's brightest stars put on clinics on football's biggest stage. Lionel Messi, Rodri, Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland and many more big-name stars were at their very best.
Ronaldo Nazario Snubs Harry Kane as World's Best Striker
England's Harry Kane looks worried at the 2026 World CupEngland's Harry Kane looks worried via REUTERS/Peter Cziborra
But it's only right that R9, also known as The Phenomenon, was asked to give his thoughts on the best players in his position. Ahead of England's Harry Kane and Erling Haaland of Norway going head-to-head in the quarter-finals of this year's tournament, Ronaldo was asked to end the debate.
Both Kane and Haaland make strong cases to be named the best striker in world football right now after scoring 73 and 58 goals respectively for club and country in the past season. However, Ronaldo didn't name either when giving his best striker.
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No punches were pulled here.
Instead, he opted for the World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer, Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman was desperate to fire Les Bleus to the trophy once again, netting 10 goals along the way to claim the Golden Boot.
While he fell short of that aim and had to settle for fourth place, the 27-year-old was still one of the best performers in the competition, and still has a chance of winning the Ballon d'Or.
Asked about the best No.9 in the world, Ronaldo said: "I think Mbappe is doing amazing and he's still very young. He's playing with the number 10, but he's a number nine."
Mbappe ended the season trophyless for club and country, but still managed to score 42 goals in just 44 appearances in all competitions for Real Madrid.
Mbappe vs Haaland vs Kane
Kylian Mbappe and Erling HaalandIMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Winslow Townson
While he picked out Mbappe as the best of the bunch, Ronaldo made sure to sing the praises of both Haaland and Kane too.
Discussing all three world-class forwards, he said: "I'm so happy to see players like them doing well with my characteristics of when I played. I'm just happy for them. Years ago, we were talking about how we miss number nines. No, we have three like this, it's good for everyone."
More specifically focusing on Kane vs Haaland, who were set to play in the game he was attending at the time, the Brazil icon added: "I'm so happy to see Harry Kane and Haaland. Number nines, original nines. I'm so happy to see them doing well."
Statistics in this article are courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 28-07-26.