Some iconic players have managed to wear some uniconic jersey numbers in soccer in the past. Most soccer players who wear the number 18 jersey put it on, regardless in the position they play.
However, some famous soccer players have indeed worn the number 18 jersey; Ashley Young at Manchester United wore 18 for a long time.
Dirk Kuyt did the same at Liverpool, while Legendary Jurgen Klinsmann, Roberto Baggio, and Paul Scholes at Bayern, Ac Milan, and Manchester United, respectively.
Without further time wasting, let’s look at the top ten soccer players wearing 18 in 2022.
1. Jordi Alba (Barcelona & Spain)
Barcelona defender Jordi Alba has won almost everything in soccer, but despite his profile as one of the most decorated players in soccer, he wears the number 18 both at Barcelona and the Spanish national team level.
Alba won the UEFA Euro in 2012 with Spain and the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona, alongside multiple La Liga titles, cementing his place as one of the best left-backs in modern times.
2. Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal)
It’s been a steady rise to prominence for Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu who moved to Arsenal from Bologna in 2021 and has been reliable in the center defense and full-back.
The 24-year-old will be a part of the Japanese team in the World Cup, but not with the number 18 he wears at Arsenal.
His rise started in the Japanese league, where he started in 2015, before moving to Europe with Sint-Truiden in Belgium, where he stayed for another season before his move to Italy.
Right now, Tomiyasu is not just one of the best soccer players in Japan, but has the potential to become one of the best full-backs in soccer.
3. Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid)
Aurelien Tchouameni made France’s team to the FIFA World Cup this year and will have big shoes to fill in the absence of N’Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba.
Tchouaméni has already won the Nations League with the national team at 22 and still has a lot ahead of him.
The Frenchman has not put a foot wrong since he stepped in to replace Casemiro at Real Madrid also. He is gradually cementing his status as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world.
4. Trent Alexander-Arnold (England)
Trent Alexander-Arnold has a knack for weird numbers, with the number 66 on his back at Liverpool.
At the national team level, he has a more respectable number 18 jersey. The right-back will keep the same number for the World Cup.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is undoubtedly one of the best right-backs in the world, and obviously one of the top soccer players wearing the number 18 jersey for their national team.
5. Felipé (Atletico Madrid)
Felipé hasn’t been the luckiest with the Brazilian national team, having made just two appearances at 33. Nevertheless, he was at the Copa America last year as the host lost to Argentina in the final.
He’s won league titles in Brazil, Portugal, and Spain and is ever present in the defense for Atletico Madrid.
6. Nicolo Barella (Italy)
Nicolo Barella is an attacking midfielder who knows how to rule the middle of the pitch and is often regarded as one of the best midfielders.
At 22, it’s not a flatter on his profile, having helped Italy win the Euro last summer, and his statistics for Inter Milan are enviable.
Last season, he had 12 assists and three goals for the Serie A side, while this season, he’s already on five goals and five assists in 15 league matches.
7. Dayot Upamecano (France)
A sought-after defender, Dayot Upamecano was the darling of Europe’s biggest club sides before settling for Bayern Munich.
The Former RB Leipzig defender wears 18 at the national team winning the Nations League and a place at the World Cup in November.
Dayot Upamenaco is not usually regarded among the best soccer players in France, because of the vast array of talents in the national team.
However, is a strong and technically gifted center-back.
8. Jonas Hofmann (Germany)
Jonas plays for Borussia Monchengladbach and the German National team and has been listed for their world cup team in Qatar.
The 30-year-old wears 23 at the club, but with the 2014 World Cup champions, he’s on the number 18 shirt. He’s only made 16 appearances since his national team debut in 2016.
However, in that same period, he managed over 166 appearances for the club in all competitions.
9. Ruben Neves (Portugal)
Neves plays as a midfielder for both the Portuguese national team and the Wolves team in the Premier League.
He won the maiden Nations League with Portugal in 2018 and has been a part of their Euro teams in 2020 and will travel with the team to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Already, he has scored four goals in 14 games in the Premier League for the Wolves team this season.
10. Armando Broja (Chelsea)
Armando Borja is an Albanian talent expected to be the big focal point for the European nation’s football in the coming years.
The striker joined Chelsea from Spurs academy and has managed to grow into the Senior team, albeit after a string of loan deals across teams in Europe, including Vitesse in the Netherlands and Southampton.
11. Moise Kean (Juventus)
The Italian forward plays for Serie A club Juventus, on loan from Premier League club Everton, and the Italy national team.
Kean is a quick, aggressive, tenacious, and physically strong forward, with superb technical skills and an accurate shot.
He is currently in his second spell at Juventus after he re-signed for them in 2021.
