The trio that made the world redefine goals

No one represents evolution more clearly than Mbappe.

For more than a decade, world football has lived under the halo of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo - two icons who transcended all stereotypes, overshadowing the concept of a “pure striker”. But after their era of dominance ended, the No. 9 position - seemingly obsolete in the era of “false No. 9” and full-field pressing - is back, stronger than ever.

And at the crest of that wave are three names: Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Erling Haaland - men who have not only scored goals, but also redefined how the world sees a modern striker.

The perfect "number 9" trio

No one represents that evolution more clearly than Mbappe. He grew not as a “number 9”, but as a natural winger.

But with Vinicius dominating the left flank at Real Madrid, Mbappe was forced to adapt – and he did so with remarkable adaptability. His first season at the Bernabeu was a tough test: after a gruelling Euros, in a team that was in decline, he still scored 44 goals.

In his second season, as Real found their rhythm, Mbappe became an all-rounder: athlete-like speed, sensitivity in tight spaces, and cold decision-making in the penalty area. He scored 18 goals in 15 games this season, including for France.

Like Cristiano Ronaldo, he moved from the wing to the middle, but Mbappe did it earlier, more thoroughly - becoming not just a goalscorer, but a leader of a new generation. If Haaland is the goal machine, Kane is the stability, then Mbappe is a mixture of both - the speed of a genius and the confidence of someone who knows he was born to conquer.

Kane doesn't run much, doesn't need to accelerate, but moves like a chess player.

In a world of cyclical bursts of talent, Harry Kane is a rare breed of consistency. He is quiet, unassuming, but precise and ruthlessly effective.

When Benzema left Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti immediately wanted Kane. But his “buy for the future” policy meant the club refused to pay nearly 100 million euros for a 30-year-old. Bayern Munich did not hesitate, and they were rewarded with numbers that speak for themselves: 44 goals in the first season, 41 in the second, and 20 in 12 games this season.

Kane doesn’t run much, doesn’t need to sprint, but moves like a chess player. He reads the game better than most, knows when to keep the ball, when to shoot. Kane also doesn’t hesitate to drop deep, stretch the defense, and open up space for his teammates. In a world that celebrates speed and energy, the former Spurs man is proof that intelligence is still a striker’s most formidable weapon.

If Mbappe represents evolution, Kane is the standard, then Erling Haaland is raw instinct. He doesn't need fancy moves, he doesn't need many touches. Haaland just needs a moment.

At 25, Haaland has turned the concept of “scoring efficiency” into an art form. After a record-breaking 52-goal season in the Premier League, he has continued to maintain his destructive pace: 24 goals in 14 games this season.

If Mbappe represents evolution, Kane is the norm, then Erling Haaland is primal instinct.

Haaland doesn't just score goals - he terrifies opponents. Every run from the former Borussia Dortmund star is a threat, every move an opportunity.

The Norwegian is a special kind of footballing creature – simple, direct and impervious to pressure. No one is more perfect in the box than Haaland. He is valued at 180 million euros, but in reality, his value cannot be measured in money.

Three people - one era

Three “number 9s”, three different paths, converging at the top of European football. Mbappe brings speed and creativity, Kane is a symbol of stability and intelligence, and Haaland is pure instinctive power.

They represent three different types of center forwards, but share one trait: absolute efficiency.

If the world once lived in a rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo - two geniuses who defined the definition of a goal with magic and will - then the new era is being shaped by three distinct predators: Mbappe, Kane, Haaland. This trio doesn't just score, they dominate. Each needs just one chance, one shot - to decide the game.

And in an increasingly complex football world, those three strikers are a reminder that sometimes, simplicity - a well-timed run, a perfect finish - is the most eternal thing about the king of sports .

Source: https://znews.vn/bo-ba-khien-the-gioi-phai-dinh-nghia-lai-ban-thang-post1596551.html