Let’s stretch our search for the biggest names on the most unlikely of football jersey numbers to number 27. Hardly are there official squad lists up to 27 names; before the pandemic, squad lists were limited to 23 and, on rare occasions, 27.
The FIFA World Cup currently in Qatar gave teams the opportunity to name 26 players in their squad. However, leagues across the world allow for a large pool of players to be registered.
This doesn’t mean that their numbering will be chronologically done and this is why when there are no restrictions on shirt numberings, players can wear numbers up to 30.
1. Darwin Núñez (Liverpool)
Uruguay has always been blessed with many quality strikers, and while Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani bow out, Darwin Núñez is blooming.
The 23-year-old joined Liverpool from Benfica in the summer and was handed the number 27 shirt. He’s scored five goals in ten Premier League games and three in six UEFA Champions League games.
Darwin Núñez moved to Europe from Penarol with Almeria before moving to Benfica, where he scored 45 goals in two years.
The Uruguayan is regarded as one of the best strikers in the world at the moment, and you can even say is the best soccer player who wears the number 27 shirt.
2. Lucas Moura (Tottenham Hotspur)
Remember the 2018 season when Tottenham got to the final of the UEFA Champions League and lost to Liverpool?
Lucas Moura played a huge role with a hat trick in the semifinal comeback against Ajax.
He had 27 on his back then, and he still has the same number four years later. The Brazilian is still on the squad level, having played 34 Premier League games last season and has already done eight matches this season.
3. Lucas Digne (Aston Villa)
Lucas Digne has been a journeyman, having moved from Lille to PSG, Roma, Barcelona, Everton and now Aston Villa.
The French defender moved to Villa Park in the January transfer window, and he has already made 22 appearances for the club, keeping the number 27 jersey he had from the winter transfer.
He is one of the most underrated left-backs in the world, and a great set-piece takers too.
4. Rafa Silva (Benfica)
Despite playing in the local Portuguese league, Rafa Silva is ever present in the Portuguese National team, winning the UEFA Euro Championship in 2016 and the Nations League a year later.
He moved to Benfica from Braga in 2016 and has remained at the club since then, winning trophies and racking up national team caps.
Rafa Silva is one of the best football players in the Portuguese League right now, and has been crucial to Benfica’s current unbeaten run.
5. Marquinhos (Arsenal)
Marcus Vinicius Oliveira Alencar, simply known as Marquinhos, is one of the next-generation players for Brazil. The 19-year-old moved from Sao Paulo to Arsenal in 2022.
The player can function as a winger and a striker. He’s played four games, one in the Premier League and three in the Europa League.
6. Divock Origi (AC Milan)
Not the biggest of players but a remarkable player for Liverpool, a lot of history and pedigree, all as a fringe player to the likes of Salah and Mane.
He moved to AC Milan in the summer and was handed the number 27 jersey making ten Serie A appearances and four in the UEFA Champions League.
Divock Origi is really loves the number 27, as he previously wore the number during his time at Liverpool.
7. Krepin Diatta (Monaco)
He is not the most attractive of players, but he plays beautiful football, one good enough to attract interest from Monaco, who gave him the number 27 jersey, having signed him from Belgian side Club Brugge in 2021.
The Senegalese international has already played 21 games in all competitions this season and has played two games for Senegal at the World Cup.
8. Malo Gusto (Lyon)
Malo Gusto is a nineteen-year-old right back with Olympic Lyon in the French Ligue 1; he made his senior team debut in 2021 but is still stuck with jersey number 27.
He’s played 21 matches in all competitions for the club this season and looks destined for a better future and the French senior national team, having played for the U21s.
9. Matty Longstaff (Newcastle United)
Matty Longstaff is a 22-year-old midfielder who has been forced to contend with many loan moves across the board in his career.
The player is currently on another loan stint at Colchester United in league two, but at his parent club, he wears the number 27 shirt.
10. Omar Richards (Nottingham Forest)
Nottingham Forest signed a plethora of players in the summer after securing their long-awaited return to the topflight this season. One includes Omar Richards, who can play as a left-back and wingback.
The English defender started with Rangers before moving to Bayern Munich in Germany. He is one of the few English footballers who played for Bayern Munich.
The player is, however, yet to feature in the Premier League.
