Football players seem to be drawn to certain jersey numbers and stick with them throughout their football careers. Sometimes, it's due to their position on the field, such as number 9 for the striker position and number 1 for the goalkeeper position. If the striker is the attacking spearhead and the defender is the steel shield, then players wearing the number 21 jersey bring flexibility. At the same time, it indicates a player who is creative and full of surprises on the football field. In today's content, Wintips admin will help you explore the "Top 10 soccer players with number 21" famous and prestigious.
Top 10 best soccer players with number 21
1. Andrea Pirlo
Andrea Pirlo is certainly a passionate fan of the number 21 jersey, as he wore it in every season of his 20-year career. Starting at Brescia in 1996, the future Italian legend began his professional football career wearing the number 21 jersey, and two decades later, he retired at New York City FC wearing the same number.
As one of the greatest deep-lying midfielders of all time, Pirlo was a master of free kicks and long-range passing like no other. After ten successful seasons with AC Milan, Pirlo left on a free transfer and was quickly snapped up by Juventus. Four titles in four subsequent seasons, with the Italian maestro at the center of everything the Turin club.
2. Zinedine Zidane - Soccer players with number 21
Zinedine Zidane is a part of football history, with a career that is more than just remarkable. Arguably France's greatest footballer ever, Zidane was a phenomenon, combining the finesse of a ballet dancer with the power of an NFL defender.
Zidane is one of the most talented footballers in history, able to exploit even the smallest gaps, and with his size and strength, he was nearly impossible to dispossess. A World Cup champion with France in 1998 on home soil, Zidane excelled while playing for Juventus but became a phenomenon at Real Madrid.
3. David Silva - Soccer players with number 21
When a player is nicknamed "Merlin," you know you're about to witness something special. Former Valencia academy player David Silva built his career as the most creative and intriguing number 21 in football. After six seasons of midfield magic at Valencia, Silva's skills inevitably propelled him to the top.
In 2010, Manchester City acquired David Silva from Valencia. The midfielder, a World Cup and European Championship winner. Would spend the next decade as one of Europe's finest attacking players. Silva was the most dangerous player on the field, regardless of how much Manchester City spent.
4. Paulo Dybala
World Cup 2022 champion Paulo Dybala has worn the number 21 jersey for most of his career, from Juventus to AS Roma, and for the Argentine national team. Having won the Serie A title five times with Juventus, Dybala is a lightning-fast forward with exceptional game intelligence. As you would expect from a South American footballer, Dybala's technical skills are outstanding.
Though not the tallest striker in Serie A, Dybala uses his speed and ability to anticipate the ball's trajectory to evade defenders and score crucial goals. With a playing style similar to his compatriots Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero, Dybala is considered one of the most promising forwards Argentina has produced in recent years.
See also: Visit Wintips for "best soccer tips" updates from players
5. Philipp Lahm - Soccer players with number 21
Former Bayern Munich full-back Philipp Lahm is undoubtedly one of the greatest attacking full-backs of all time. Pep Guardiola described the former Bayern and Germany captain as the smartest player he has ever coached, and it's easy to see why; Lahm could do everything and play in almost any position on the field.
Bayern's number 21 could operate on both flanks, deliver excellent crosses, coordinate with teammates and defend superbly. Lahm won every domestic title during his time at Bayern. Including 8 Bundesliga titles, the Champions League, the Super Cup, and the Club World Cup.
6. Frenkie de Jong - Soccer players with number 21
The youngest player on our list, former Ajax star and current Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, has seen his career progress rapidly since joining Ajax's first team at just 19 years old. Barcelona identified de Jong as one of the most promising talents in world football, and he fits perfectly with Barcelona's style of play.
He holds onto the ball and seeks it often, and when he gets it, he knows exactly what to do with it. With most of his career still ahead of him, the hefty price tag seems like a bargain. Frenkie de Jong's playing style has been compared to that of former West German sweeper Franz Beckenbauer, which in itself is enough to make any player feel pressured under normal circumstances.
7. Rodrygo
In the football world, the media's tendency to label young talents as the "second coming" of previous stars has become a trend. Being dubbed the "second" can be seen as an honor for young players. However, it also places invisible pressures on them; they are expected to reach the level of greatness achieved by their predecessors.
Rodrygo, a boy raised in Sao Paulo, bears similar pressures. The Brazilian media bestowed upon Rodrygo the nickname "Little Neymar" when he turned 12. A year prior, this young lad became the youngest athlete to sign a sponsorship deal with the "giant" Nike.
8. Ben Chilwell - Soccer players with number 21
After spending nearly $400 million on new players in the summer of 2023, Chelsea are expected to transform this season. However, Pochettino only won 1 of the first 4 matches in the Premier League and ranked 12th in the rankings.
To the suspicion of fans, defender Ben Chilwell reassured: "People need to be patient. I understand the fans hope and want us to win week in and week out. They've always kept a habit like that and I can understand it," Chilwell told Football London.
9. Antony - Soccer players with number 21
At the moment, despite not performing exceptionally well at Old Trafford, Antony's position remains solid as a rock simply because Manchester United lacks sufficient quality alternatives. Facundo Pellistri always shows promise whenever he's given playing time, while Marcus Rashford seems uncomfortable when deployed in that position.
The only bright spot for the Brazilian forward is his pressing and his ability to frustrate opponents with his "childish tricks". However, besides that, he lacks any standout qualities, as his ability to create breakthroughs is almost nonexistent, with Premier League defenders quickly figuring out his style after just one season.
10. Dejan Kulusevski
Players who have limitations to play in a No. 10 role but still accept and shine in that role are very rare players. What we've seen over the last few weeks is Kulusevski playing in that role and becoming one of those rare players. If he plays on the right wing then he is worth around £50m.
But if he plays in the number 10 role, he can become extremely special and this could be a player who costs between £80m and £100m. Kulusevski also admitted that he prefers playing as a number 10 rather than on the wings: "That used to be my position. I used to be a number 10 player. I always played in the center. Then at Parma, they moved me to the right wing, and that's what I had to do".
Conclude
Players wearing the number 20 jersey are often chosen for their youth, talent, and potential. It symbolizes passion, eagerness to contribute, and the desire to assert oneself. Some famous players who have worn the number 20 jersey were recently introduced by the best online bookmaker offers website. Of course, there are still many other equally prestigious names. If you're passionate about this topic, feel free to create your own statistical chart.
See also: List of the most famous soccer players with number 20
