Perhaps you're already familiar with jersey numbers for forwards, midfielders, or goalkeepers. But the number 19 jersey is quite special in football. Historically, players wearing the number 19 are often seen as substitute forwards or attacking midfielders. However, many coaches have their own tactical schemes to maximize the potential of these players. Some have even risen to stardom, becoming key players for their teams. Do you know who Wintips is referring to? Let's take a look at the Top 10 soccer players number 19 right below.
Soccer players number 19 in history - Top 10
1/ Gilberto Silva
As part of the unbeaten "Invincibles" team of Arsenal in the 2003-04 Premier League season, Gilberto Silva played a crucial role. Gilberto anchored the midfield with tactical awareness, positional sense, and ball-winning abilities, protecting the defense. He and his Brazilian compatriot Edu developed a harmonious partnership at Arsenal after joining from Atlético Mineiro in 2002. Gilberto won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups during his time at Arsenal.
Gilberto was a stalwart for the Brazilian national team, earning over 60 caps from 1999 to 2008. He won the World Cup in 2002 and was part of the 2006 winning squad for Brazil. Nicknamed the "Invisible Wall" due to his defensive prowess and passing ability, Gilberto disrupted opponents' attacks with ease, making him a formidable force in midfield.
2/ Mario Gotze - Soccer players number 19
Whenever Mario Götze is mentioned, people immediately recall the FIFA World Cup 2014 final. Coming off the bench, he helped the German national team clinch the highest honor of that World Cup. The German football star, born in 1992, wore the legendary number 19 jersey while playing for Bayern Munich from 2013 to 2016.
He made 73 appearances and scored 22 goals in the Bundesliga during his time at the club. During his stint at the Allianz Arena, Mario Götze also achieved numerous notable accomplishments, including 3 Bundesliga titles, 1 UEFA Super Cup, 2 DFB Pokal Cups, and 1 FIFA Club World Cup.
3/ Santi Cazorla - Soccer players number 19
Santi Cazorla has earned 81 caps for Spain across two European Championships and the 2013 Confederations Cup, where they finished as runners-up. His vision, passing ability, close ball control, and ability to operate between the lines have made him invaluable for both club and country.
Cazorla surprised everyone when he made a comeback in 2018 after two years out due to a serious Achilles injury. His final season with Villarreal in Spain showcased his quality and commitment at the highest level. In his first year at Arsenal, he was voted Arsenal's Player of the Season with 13 assists. He played a key role in ending Arsenal's trophy drought of 9 years by helping them win the FA Cup.
4/ Dwight Yorke
Premier League striker Dwight Yorke excelled in the jerseys of Manchester United and Aston Villa. Born in Trinidad & Tobago in 1971, Yorke joined the youth team of Aston Villa. He moved up to Villa Park's first team in the early 1990s and scored over 30 goals. Yorke joined Manchester United in 1998 and formed a deadly partnership with Andy Cole.
In 2010, Yorke made a comeback after retiring to prove he still had the striker's instincts. With the treble and subsequent honors under Ferguson, he became a legend at Manchester United. Yorke demonstrated that Caribbean players can succeed in English football with hard work. He will always be one of the greatest players from Trinidad & Tobago.
5/ Julian Alvarez - Soccer players number 19
Julian Alvarez, the forward of Manchester City, might currently be overshadowed by Erling Haaland at his club, but after his impactful performances in the recent World Cup, he'll soon be threatening his Norwegian teammate for a spot in the starting XI. It's a rapid rise for Alvarez, who only signed with Manchester City in the summer of 2022.
Before this big-money transfer, Alvarez was busy plying his trade in his native Argentina for the renowned River Plate, a team that consistently challenges for major honors in South America. At that time, River Plate knew they had a genuine talent on their hands as Alvarez was rumored to be joining Real Madrid, a move that couldn't materialize due to his age.
6/ Theo Hernandez - Soccer players number 19
Now, alongside another Frenchman and one of the last heroes who brought the Scudetto back to San Siro last season, Theo Hernandez. The French international began his career in Spain with Atletico Madrid. He made several appearances for their reserves in the early years of his career.
After stints with various Spanish clubs including Real Madrid, Hernandez made the move to Italy after not being favored at the Bernabeu (a decision I'm sure the club's hierarchy is now regretting). Hernandez was handed the number 19 jersey and featured in most matches for the Italian team in his debut season there, becoming an important creative player and occasionally finding the net for the club.
7/ Leonardo Bonucci
Leonardo Bonucci was a key figure in their campaign to win Euro 2020 last year (fair to say, English fans will forever see him and Giorgio Chiellini in their nightmares). Bonucci wears the number 19 jersey for Juventus and although he may no longer have defensive partner Chiellini by his side, he remains a formidable opponent for even the best strikers.
For someone with such an impressive record, Bonucci has never truly played football outside his homeland Italy, although he has played for some of the country's biggest clubs. In the early days of his career, Bonucci had to struggle to earn a starting spot in the first team at clubs like Inter Milan and Genoa (among others). Eventually, he moved to Juventus in 2010 and became the player we know today.
8/ Raphael Varane - Soccer players number 19
Raphael Varane has long been regarded as a rock-solid presence in defense, his time at Real Madrid witnessing numerous domestic and continental honors both with the team and individually before embarking on a challenging journey at Old Trafford.
It may be fair to say that an aging Varane is not the player he was five years ago; his pace has somewhat diminished, and a general sense of instability seems to have enveloped him at Manchester United. However, Varane continues to excel for his country at the World Cup, helping his nation reach the final for the second consecutive time at the tournament.
9/ Franck Kessie
Franck Kessie, currently one of the most talented midfielders in world football, has had an impressive career with numerous club successes. The Ivorian international is currently playing for Barcelona, a club facing financial difficulties. Kessie joined the club from AC Milan in 2022 as one of the peculiar signings made by the Catalan giants.
This move is peculiar considering Barcelona is struggling to find funds to pay their top players the exorbitant wages they've been promised. Part of the reason for this struggle was the departure of former number 19, Lionel Messi, a season earlier than expected. However, Kessie was brought in on a free transfer, which perhaps made it easier for both parties to agree to the deal.
10/ Diego Costa - Soccer players number 19
The number 19 jersey has been closely associated with Diego Costa, from Atletico Madrid to Chelsea, and even to the Spanish national team. Despite being the top scorer for The Blues and the Premier League, Costa has never complained about his jersey number.
However, the "curse of the number 9" at Chelsea might also be a reason why the player hesitated to wear that particular shirt. The Spanish star arrived at The Blues with a £32 million deal. On his debut for the club, he shared, "I am delighted to wear the shirt of such a great club like Chelsea. I am ready to face new challenges in England."
Conclude
Regardless of their position, players wearing the number 19 jersey need to have exceptional finishing ability. This is because one of their main tasks is to score goals, creating decisive moments for the team. As substitute forwards or attacking midfielders, they must prove to be dangerous and decisive whenever they have the opportunity. Above is the list of the greatest "ádasd" of all time. You can follow more sports news in the newsletter section of the best bookmaker website, thank you.
See also: Who are the best soccer players with the number 18 in the world?
