In soccer, jersey numbers are used to identify and distinguish players on the field. They are also a way of indicating soccer positions — with starting players often assigned numbers 1-11.
In the past, soccer jersey numbers were traditionally the numbers 1 to 11. However, in modern football, there have been occasions where players have chosen numbers that are less traditional — choosing them for a variety of reasons.
For example, Hicham Zerouali famously wore the Number 0 for Scottish Premier League club, Aberdeen after fans nicknamed him “Zero” (derived from the first four letters of his name).
Brazilian club São Paulo retired jersey number 01 in honour of club legend and goalscoring goalkeeper Rogério Ceni.
Italian legend Andrea Pirlo regularly dons the Number 21 because his dad was born on the 21st, and he got married on the same date.
While David Beckham opted for the Number 23 because of Michael Jordan — his basketball idol.
Moreso, Bisente Lizarazu often wears the number 69 because he was born in 1969 and is 1.69 meters (5 ft 7 inches) tall.
Furthermore, soccer goalkeepers usually wear the number 1 jersey, but over time, some outfield players have occasionally worn the mumber 1 for their clubs.
Outfield players that have won the number 1 jersey include: Pantelis Kafes for Olympiacos and AEK Athens, Charlton Athletic’s Stuart Balmer in the 1990s, Partizan Belgrade’s Simon Vukčević in 2004/05, Besiktas’ Daniel Pancu in 2005/06 and Atlético Mineiro’s Diego Souza in 2010.
In this article, TOP SOCCER BLOG looks at the 7 best jersey numbers in soccer. So if you’re looking at picking a soccer jersey, you might want to consider these numbers.
1. Number 10
Often worn by the most valuable player of the team, the number 10 is the most iconic jersey number in football history.
Youngsters always love to don this number when playing soccer in the streets or at parks.
The Number 10 in soccer is mostly worn by talented attacking midfielders and was made famous by Brazilian football legend, Pele.
This iconic number has since been sported by the likes of Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Francesco Totti, Rivaldo, Roberto Baggio, Zico, Dennis Bergkamp, Ronaldinho, Jay-Jay Okocha, and Wayne Rooney.
Indeed, some of the best soccer players of all time have worn the number 10 jersey for either club or country.
Even today, so many great soccer players currently wear the number 10 jersey.
2. Number 7
One of the most famous jerseys in soccer, jersey number 7, is usually donned by the most skillful player on the team.
Number 7s are mostly wingers tasked with terrorizing the opposition defenders and supplying assists to other forwards. But most of them are equally capable of scoring goals.
Furthermore, the number 7 became extremely popular after being worn by the most entertaining superstars in football.
From Cristiano Ronaldo (who even personalized it — CR7) to Kenny Dalglish, Eric Cantona, George Best, Raul Gonzalez, and Luis Figo.
Above all, arguably the most entertaining soccer playerd of all time, Garrincha, wore the number 7 jersey.
You can find out some of the soccer players who wear the number 7 jersey currently.
3. Number 9
Jersey number 9 belongs to out-and-out natural strikers who are mostly the top scorers on the team.
Most of the lethal and best strikers in the world choose the number 9 shirt number.
As scoring is the ultimate aim on the pitch, the importance of strikers to a team cannot be overemphasized.
Fans will forever associate the Number 9 jersey with arguably the best striker of all time, Ronaldo de Lima of Brazil.
Other goalscoring legends that have donned the number 9 includes: Alfredo Di Stefano, Marco van Basten, Hugo Sanchez, Alan Shearer, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Karim Benzema.
Today, some of the most dangerous strikers in soccer currently wear the number 9 shirt for either their club or country.
4. Number 5
It’s difficult to choose between the numbers 5 and 6 because both have been sported by the greatest defenders ever, but 5 takes the spot on this list because it’s more popular in modern times.
The number is mostly worn by established and reliable center-backs in the team.
Number 5 has notably been donned by the likes of Carles Puyol, Claudio Gentile, Fabio Cannavaro, Franz Beckenbauer, and Rio Ferdinand.
Zinedine Zidane, a midfielder, famously wore Number 5 at Real Madrid. Other notable midfielders to have adopted the Number 5 are Sergio Busquets and Michael Essien.
And today, most of the soccer players who wear number 5 are defenders and midfielders.
5. Number 8
And last but not least among the best soccer jersey numbers is the number 8 jersey.
The number 8 jersey gets lesser attention than numbers 7, 9, or 10, but that does not make it any less important.
Typically worn by midfielders, players playing the number 8 role can virtually do everything on a football pitch.
From tackling, dribbling, passing, and scoring, the number 8 soccer position typically possesses a lot of qualities.
They are often box-to-box players who are the engines of a team.
Soccer players who wear the number 8 shirt mostly possess incredible passing range and accuracy, tactical awareness, vision, and love making marauding runs from midfield.
Furthermore, they can shoot the ball from distance — often more than other players on the pitch.
Famous players that have donned the number 8 jersey are: Hristo Stoichkov, Gennaro Gattuso, Juninho, Toni Kroos, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Toni Kroos, and Andres Iniesta.
6. Number 4
The number 4 jersey has traditionally been associated with the backbone of the team — the defenders and central midfielders who provide stability and control.
Players wearing the number 4 are often seen as the team’s anchor, responsible for breaking up opposition attacks and maintaining possession.
Their role is crucial in building play from the back and ensuring the team remains organized and disciplined.
The number 4 jersey has been worn by some of the most commanding and influential players in soccer history.
Franz Beckenbauer, known as “Der Kaiser,” revolutionized the sweeper position while wearing number 4 for Germany.
Other legendary number 4s include Patrick Vieira, who was a midfield powerhouse for Arsenal, and Sergio Ramos, whose leadership and defensive prowess have been pivotal for Real Madrid and Spain.
Some amazing soccer players who wore the number 4 jersey include Claude Makelele, Javier Zanetti, Cesc Fabregas, Pep Guardiola, Rafa Marquez, Ronald Koeman, and Vincent Kompany
Virgil Van Dijk, one of the best defenders in the world currently, also wears the number 4 jersey.
Above all, the number 4 jersey symbolizes strength, leadership, and the ability to read the game, qualities that are essential for any successful team.
7. Number 11
The number 11 jersey is often worn by the most creative and dynamic players on the team, typically those who play as wingers or attacking midfielders.
Number 11s are known for their flair, speed, and ability to change the course of a game with a moment of brilliance.
They are usually tasked with delivering crosses, taking on defenders, and scoring goals themselves.
The number 11 became iconic thanks to some of the most gifted players in soccer history.
George Best, considered one of the greatest dribblers of all time, dazzled fans while wearing number 11 for Manchester United.
Ryan Giggs, another Manchester United legend, made the number 11 his own during his illustrious career.
Other notable number 11s include Romário, who was a prolific goal scorer for Brazil, and Didier Drogba, who led Chelsea to numerous victories.
Today, the number 11 jersey continues to be worn by some of the most exciting talents in soccer, who usually have flair, creativity, agility, and a knack for producing magical moments on the pitch.
You can find out how soccer jersey numbers are assigned to players too.
