The number 24 jersey is not exactly as notable number in football.
In fact, the key players who play on the squad are usually assigned jersey numbers from 1-23.
However, some talented footballers have worn the number 24 jersey in their career, whether for their club or country.
Today, in the latest series of our articles where we take a look at famous football players to wear certain jersey numbers, we look at footballers who have won the number 24 jersey.
1. Cheick Tiote – Beijing Enterprises
The late Ivorian international player was a battling midfielder with an eye for goal during his career.
Tiote was part of a talented Cote d’ Ivoire team that was dominant on the African continent in the mid-2000s.
He earned 55 caps for the Ivorian national and was part of the Elephants squad that won the 2015 African Cup of Nations.
Cheick also had a flourishing career playing for various clubs in Europe and Asia like Newcastle United, FC Twente, and Beijing Enterprises.
Sadly, it was while training with his Chinese professional football club, Beijing Enterprises that he suffered a heart attack that led to his untimely death at the age of 30.
In his honor, Beijing Enterprises retired the number 24 jersey the shirt number he wore.
2. Corentin Tolisso – Bayern Munich
Tolisso is a 27-year-old French international who currently plays for German club Bayern Munich where he wears the number 24.
The central midfielder has played 58 times for the Bavarian giants in the Bundesliga with 9 league goals to his name.
Since he joined in 2017, he has won numerous titles, including Bundesliga titles and a UEFA Champions League winners medal in 2020.
3. Lorenzo Insigne – Napoli
The Napoli captain is another player who wears the number 24 shirt.
The attacking midfielder is one of the best and most experienced players in the Serie A, having played about 312 matches.
Insigne was part of the victorious Italy team that won the Euro 2020 title this past summer.
4. Sime Vrsalijko – Atletico Madrid
Vrsalijko is a 29-year-old Croatian defender, who currently plays for Spanish La Liga champions Atletico Madrid.
Sime wears the number 24 when playing for the Colchoneros. The fullback has appeared in 52 league matches.
5. Reece James – Chelsea
The Chelsea and England right-back/wingback is one of the best young fullbacks in the game right now.
The 21-year-old usually adorns the number 24 jersey when playing for the Blues.
James was part of the Chelsea side last season that surprised many by going all the way to win their second UEFA Champions League title.
Reece has played 60 league games for the Stamford Bridge side, so far and will be looking to cement his place in the starting XI for his club and national team.
6. Gary Cahill – Chelsea
The tough-tackling English defender wore the jersey number 24 for Chelsea for eight seasons.
He struck a great defensive partnership with John Terry, and was instrumental to their first Champions League win in 2012.
Notable Mentions:
Here are notable mentions of famous players who wore the number 24 jersey at one point of their club career:
- Héctor Bellerín – Arsenal
- Darren Fletcher – Manchester United
- Claude Makélélé – Real Madrid
- Patrick Vieira – Manchester City
- Joe Allen – Liverpool
- Serge Aurier – Tottenham Hotspurs
- Roque Santa Cruz – Bayern Munich
- Andrés Iniesta – Barcelona
- Marco Verratti – PSG.
