The number 18 jersey is not exactly as notable number in football.
In fact, the key players who play on the pitch are usually assigned jersey numbers from 1-11
However, some talented footballers have worn the number 18 jersey in their career, whether for their club or country.
This article would discuss the popular soccer players who wore the number 18 jersey.
1. Dirk Kuyt
Kuyt is a retired Dutch international player renowned for his work rate and eye for goal.
The forward player spent most of his career in his native Holland but played for some time for English giants Liverpool FC.
Dirk spent 6 seasons with the Merseysiders, winning the League Cup of the 2011/2012 season.
Kuyt scored 71 goals in 286 appearances for the Reds. He wore the number 18 jersey throughout his stay in Anfield.
2. Jordi Alba
The Spanish left-back is one of the best fullbacks of his generation.
His pace and technical ability have helped him become one of the mainstays in the FC Barcelona side.
Alba joined the Catalans in the 2012/2013 season and has continued to be one of the first names on the team sheet.
The 33-year-old has enjoyed a very successful career at the Camp Nou, so far winning 5 La Liga and Copa Del Rey titles, a UEFA Champions League trophy, and a FIFA Club World Cup title.
Jordi has made over 400 appearances for Barcelona, wearing the number 18 jersey.
3. Roberto Baggio
Legendary Italian striker Baggio spent a couple of seasons with Milan giants AC Milan. The retired striker was there between 1995-1997.
During his time with the Rossoneri, he helped them win a Scudetto title in the 1995/1996 Serie A campaign.
Roberto made a total of 67 appearances for the San Siro side, wearing the number 18 jersey with 19 goals to his name.
4. Paul Scholes
Widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, Paul Scholes was a technically gifted player.
He won a number of trophies at Manchester United and is one of the few soccer players who retired and came back.
Paul Scholes donned the number 18 jersey for over 11 seasons at Manchester United.
5. Jurgen Klinsmann
The retired German striker was one of the most prolific strikers in the late 1980s and 1990s.
Jurgen spent two very fruitful seasons with Bavarian giants Bayern Munich from 1995-1997.
He won a Bundesliga title and a UEFA Cup, now Europa League, in the 1996/1997 and 1995/1996 seasons, respectively.
Klinsmann scored 48 goals in 84 appearances wearing the number 18 jersey in the famous colors of Bayern.
6. Gareth Barry
Gareth Barry is the player with the most appearances in Premier League history.
Early in his career for West Bromwich Albion, and while playing for Everton and Manchester City, Gareth Barry sported the number 18 jersey.
7. Jermain Defoe
The underrated English striker wore number 18 while playing for Tottenham Hotspurs, Sunderland, and AFC Bournemouth.
8. Nacho Monreal
Spanish defender Monreal spent roughly 8 seasons with English side Arsenal from 2013-2019.
The fullback was a fan favorite due to his high level of commitment and assured displays in defense for the Gunners.
Nacho won 3 FA Cup titles during his time at the Emirates.
He featured in 251 games and scored 10 goals for the North London, wearing number 18.
9. Miroslav Klose
The highest goalscorer in the FIFA World Cup history is often remembered for donning number 11 for both club and country in his career.
However, Klose played for Bayern Munich from 2007 to 2011 and wore the number 18 jersey while playing for the Bavarians.
10. Ashley Young
Ashley Young has donned the number 18 jersey for most of his career. He wore the in various seasons during his time at Manchester United.
When he move to Aston Villa from Inter Milan, he chose the number 18 also.
11. Olivier Giroud
French striker and World Cup winner Olivier Giroud moved from Arsenal to Chelsea in 2017.
He wore number 18 for Chelsea from 2017 to 2021.
12. Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes joined Manchester United from Sporting CP and became an instant hit for the club.
From the 2019/20 season to the 2021/22 season, Fernandes wore the number 18 jersey before switching to number 8.
13. Raúl Albiol
From 2009 to 2013, Raul Albiol wore the number jersey for Real Madrid.
14. Stephen Appiah
Former Ghanian captain Stephen Appiah wore the number 18 jersey for two seasons during his time at Juventus.
15. Gabriel Milito
During his stints at FC Barcelona and Club Atlético Independiente, Gabriel Milito sported the number 18.
