Football players seem to be drawn to certain jersey numbers and stick with them throughout their football careers. Sometimes, this choice is often based on their position on the field, such as number 9 for strikers and number 1 for goalkeepers. If the striker is the attacking spearhead and the defender is the steel shield, then players who wear the number 21 jersey offer flexibility. At the same time, this number is often associated with players who are creative and capable of producing unexpected moments on the pitch. 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 was deeply attached to the number 21 jersey, wearing it throughout his 20-year career. He started his career at Brescia in 1996, where he first donned the number 21 jersey. Two decades later, he retired at New York City FC, still proudly 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, unmatched in his ability. After ten successful seasons with AC Milan, Pirlo left on a free transfer and was quickly signed by Juventus. He won four titles in four subsequent seasons, with the Italian maestro at the center of everything for the Turin club.
2. Zinedine Zidane - One of the best soccer players with number 21
Zinedine Zidane has cemented his place in football history, with a career that is more than just remarkable. Widely regarded as France’s greatest footballer, Zidane was a phenomenon, combining the finesse of a ballet dancer with the power of an NFL defender.
Zidane was one of the most talented footballers in history, able to exploit even the smallest gaps. With his size and strength, he was nearly impossible to dispossess. A World Cup champion with France in 1998 on home turf, Zidane excelled at Juventus but became a true phenomenon at Real Madrid.
3. David Silva - One of the best soccer players with number 21
When a player was nicknamed "Merlin," you knew you were witnessing something special. A product of Valencia's academy, David Silva built his career as one of the most creative and influential players ever to wear the number 21 jersey. After six seasons of midfield brilliance at Valencia, Silva's exceptional talent inevitably earned him a place among football's elite.
In 2010, Manchester City acquired David Silva from Valencia. He is a World Cup and European Championship winner. He 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
2022 World Cup champion Paulo Dybala wore the number 21 jersey for most of his career, from Juventus to AS Roma, and for the Argentine national team. After winning 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.
Although he is 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 that of his compatriots, Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero, Dybala is considered one of the most promising forwards Argentina has produced in recent years.
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5. Philipp Lahm - One of the best soccer players with number 21
Philipp Lahm, the former Bayern Munich full-back, is undoubtedly one of the greatest attacking full-backs of all time. Pep Guardiola described the former Bayern Munich 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. He won 8 Bundesliga titles, the Champions League, the Super Cup, and the Club World Cup.
6. Frenkie de Jong - One of the great soccer players with number 21
Frenkie de Jong, the youngest player on our list and a former Ajax star, is now a Barcelona midfielder. He 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 often seeks it; 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 now seems like a bargain. Frenkie de Jong's playing style has been compared to that of former West German sweeper Franz Beckenbauer, a comparison that, in itself, is enough to make any player feel pressured under normal circumstances.
7. Rodrygo
In the football world, the media often labels young talents as the 'second coming' of previous stars. Being dubbed the 'second' is often 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 earlier, this young lad became the youngest athlete to sign a sponsorship deal with the 'giant' Nike.
8. Ben Chilwell
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 response to fans' suspicions, defender Ben Chilwell reassured them: "People need to be patient. I understand the fans' hopes and desire for us to win week in and week out. They've always had this habit, and I can understand it," Chilwell told Football London.
9. Antony - One of the best soccer players with number 21
At the moment, despite not performing exceptionally well at Old Trafford, Antony's position remains secure simply because Manchester United lacks sufficient quality alternatives. Facundo Pellistri consistently 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 ability to frustrate opponents with his 'childish tricks.' However, besides that, he lacks standout qualities. His ability to create breakthroughs is almost nonexistent because Premier League defenders quickly figured out his style after just one season.
10. Dejan Kulusevski
Players who have limitations in playing the No. 10 role but still accept and shine in that role are very rare. Over the last few weeks, Kulusevski has played that role and become one of those rare players. If he plays on the right wing, he is worth around £50m.
But if he plays in the number 10 role, he can become extremely special, and he could be a player valued between £80m and £100m. Kulusevski also admitted that he prefers playing as a number 10 rather than on the wings: "That was my position. I played as a number 10. I always played in the center. Then, at Parma, they moved me to the right wing, and that's what I had to do."
Conclusion
Soccer players with number 21 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 statistical chart.
See also: List of the most famous soccer players with number 20
