The number 4 jersey is one of the most popular jersey numbers for some of the most iconic football players.
This is because the number four is usually worn by center-backs or defensive midfielders, who usually play a big role in the defensive formation and defensive strength of a team.
Let’s take a look at the top 10 players wearing the number four jersey in the world in the year 2022.
1. Sergio Ramos (PSG)
Sergio Ramos has already put his name in the history books of football as one of the best-ever defenders to have played the game.
Talk about his quality individually and then add it to the laurels he has won. It’s incredible as the defender has won everything available to a player at the club and at international levels.
Having worn the number 4 jersey for Real Madrid for a long time, he moved to PSG and has retained the number four jersey in France.
2. Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool)
When Virgil van Dijk broke into the limelight, it was initially at Celtic in Scotland before he was signed by Premier League club Southampton.
He was bought by Liverpool for £75M and has since won the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League with the Reds.
The center-back has also been phenomenal at the national team level leading the Oranjes to the UEFA Nations League semi-finals, and could also be playing at the World Cup in 2022.
3. David Alaba (Real Madrid)
Austrian defender David Alaba remains one of the most decorated number 4 in the world.
At Bayern Munich, where he won almost everything, including multiple Bundesliga titles, and has also moved to Real Madrid, winning the La Liga and the UEFA Champions League double last season.
Although, he played as a left-back in Bayern Munich, he has switched positions to play as a left-centre back. Nonetheless, he is one of the best soccer players in his position despite the change.
4. Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City)
Kalvin Phillips is one of the few players that is not a defender or a defensive-minded player on this list, putting on the number 4 Jersey.
Kalvin Phillips was at Leeds United before Manchester City, and Pep Guardiola paid over £45 million in add-ons for his signature.
He is expected to make the Three Lions team to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar after helping the team get to the finals of the euro 2020.
5. Ben White (Arsenal)
Ben White is one of the best signings Arsenal has made in recent seasons, having joined from Brighton.
Even though he has struggled with injury problems initially, the defender has never disappointed the Gunners with his performances.
The around 50 million pounds fee was paid for him as a steal, and he has been knocking on the door of the three lions for the World Cup.
He has cemented his status as one of the best defenders in the Premier League.
6. Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich)
Matthijs de Ligt has enjoyed a steady rise in his career from Ajax in the Netherlands to Juventus in Italy before moving to Bayern Munich.
The defender has won titles everywhere he went and will be hoping to add the German Bundesliga title to his CV in his first season.
The Dutchman is an excellent defender, who great in making tackles, playing from the back, and winning aerial duels.
Matthijs de Ligt picked the number 4 jersey when he joined Bayern Munich in 2022.
7. Phil Jones (Manchester United)
You may want to argue that Manchester United Defender Phil Jones didn’t fit into this list and was only added with tongue in cheek.
That may be right, but it still doesn’t make him less of a number 4, as that is his shirt number with the Red Devils.
The most iconic thing about Phil Jones is the kind of faces he makes when playing football, and it has become a trademark meme all over the internet.
8. Ismael Bennacer (AC Milan)
Algerian Defender Ismail Bennacer also wears the number 4 shirt for AC Milan, and that is one of the most iconic jerseys for AC Milan.
AC Milan’s number four has been worn by the likes of Clarence Seedorf and Demetrio Albertini.
Ismail Bennacer is a hardworking, aggressive, and gifted box-to-box midfielder, who played a key role in AC Milan’s Serie A triumph in 2022.
9. Ronald Araujo (Barcelona)
Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo is Barcelona’s number four, having been promoted from the club’s youth team and joined the senior team.
He has made 66 appearances for the Blaugrana since joining the senior team in 2019. He has also had a handful of appearances for the national team, 12 matches, and will be hoping to join the team at the World Cup.
The Uruguayan is definitely one of the top soccer players who wear the number 4 jersey, after establishing himself as one of the best defenders in La Liga.
10. Marquinhos (Brazil)
Although Marquinhos wears the number 5 jersey for Paris Saint-Germain, he has donned the number 4 jersey for the Brazilian national team for over five years.
Marquinhos is one of the best soccer players in Brazil at the moment, and one top defenders in the French Ligue 1.
He has 71 caps for Brazil, scoring 5 goals.
