In soccer, the number 21 has been worn by many talented and influential soccer players over the years. From skilled midfielders to solid defenders, these players have made a lasting impact on the sport through their hard work, determination, and skill on the field.
In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the most notable soccer players who have worn the number 21 jersey throughout their careers and explore the impact they have had on the game. Join us as we celebrate the achievements and contributions of these remarkable athletes.
Let’s hop directly into it,
1. Luis Enrique:
Luis Enrique is a former Spanish professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He was born on May 8, 1970, in Gijon, Spain. Enrique started his career at his hometown club Sporting Gijon before moving to Real Madrid in 1991.
He spent five seasons at the Bernabeu, winning the La Liga title in 1995.
Luis Enrique then moved to Barcelona in 1996, where he spent the next eight seasons and won two La Liga titles and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. He wore the number 21 jersey throughout his time with FC Barcelona (1996-2004) and partly with Spain (1993-2002).
Enrique was also a regular for the Spanish national team and played in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, as well as the 1996 and 2000 European Championships.
Besides all this, Luis Enrique’s jersey number 21 was significant to him as it represented his age when he made his debut for the Spanish national team in 1991. The number 21 also holds a special place in the hearts of Barcelona fans as it was worn by the legendary defender Carles Puyol for many years.
His contribution to the Spanish national team and the Barcelona football club will always be remembered by football fans around the world.
2. Diego Forlán:
Diego Forlán is a retired Uruguayan professional footballer who wore number 21 throughout his career. He was born on May 19, 1979, in Montevideo, Uruguay. Forlán started his professional career at Independiente in Argentina before moving to Manchester United in 2002.
However, he struggled to make an impact in the English Premier League and was loaned out to various clubs before being sold to Villarreal in 2004.
Moreover, Forlán also had a successful international career with Uruguay, scoring 36 goals in 112 appearances. He played a key role in Uruguay’s 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign, where he won the Golden Ball award for being the tournament’s best player.
Despite his retirement from professional football in 2019, Forlán is remembered as one of the greatest footballers to wear the number 21 jersey.
His skills, speed, and precision on the pitch made him a formidable opponent for any team. He is also known for his strong work ethic and dedication to the sport, which helped him achieve great success throughout his career.
3. David Silva:
David Silva is a Spanish professional soccer player who wore the number 21 jersey during his time at Valencia CF and Manchester City FC. Equally important that Silva also donned the number 21 jersey for the Spanish national team.
He is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation and has won numerous domestic and international honors throughout his career.
Silva began his professional career with Valencia CF in 2004 and spent six seasons with the club before transferring to Manchester City FC in 2010.
Silva quickly became a key player for Manchester City and helped the club win four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and five League Cups. He was a key part of the club’s “tiki-taka” style of play, using his technical ability, vision, and passing range to create chances for his teammates. Silva was also an important player for the Spanish national team, helping them win the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship.
He continues to wear the number 21 jersey and remains a respected and influential figure in the world of soccer.
4. Gary McAllister:
Gary McAllister is a former Scottish professional soccer player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation. He wore the number 21 jersey during his time with Liverpool FC and played a key role in the club’s success during the late 1990s.
McAllister began his professional career with Motherwell FC in 1982 before moving to Leicester City FC in 1985.
He spent six seasons with Leicester City before transferring to Leeds United FC in 1990. McAllister quickly established himself as a key player for Leeds United and helped the club win the First Division title in 1992.
In 2000, McAllister joined Liverpool FC and played a crucial role in the club’s treble-winning season in 2001. McAllister’s leadership and experience were also important factors in Liverpool’s success that season, and he was widely praised for his performances on and off the pitch.
After leaving Liverpool in 2002, McAllister went on to have spells with Coventry City FC and Leeds United before retiring in 2004.
He remains a respected figure in the world of soccer and has been recognized for his contributions to the sport both on and off the pitch. In 2019, McAllister returned to Liverpool FC as part of the club’s coaching staff, helping to guide them to their first Premier League title in 30 years in 2020.
5. Philipp Lahm:
Philipp Lahm is a retired German professional soccer player who played as a right-back or defensive midfielder throughout his career. Lahm wore the number 21 jersey for most of his professional career with his club and national team.
He helped Bayern Munich win several domestic and international titles during his career, including eight Bundesliga titles, six DFB-Pokal trophies, and the UEFA Champions League in 2013.
Lahm was also a key member of the German national team, earning 113 caps and captaining the team to their victory in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
After all, he retired from international soccer after the tournament and announced his retirement from club soccer in 2017.
Furthermore, throughout his career, Lahm was known for his versatility, intelligence, and leadership on the pitch. He was also widely respected for his sportsmanship and fair play. Lahm remains a legend of German soccer and a role model for young players around the world.
6. Andrea Pirlo:
Andrea Pirlo is another great soccer player who wore the number 21 jersey during his career. Pirlo is considered one of the best midfielders of his generation, known for his incredible vision, passing ability, and set-piece expertise.
Pirlo began his professional career with Brescia in 1995, but it was at AC Milan where he truly made a name for himself. He won two Serie A titles and two UEFA Champions League titles with the club, and was named Serie A Player of the Year in 2012.
In 2011, Pirlo made a controversial move to Juventus, one of Milan’s biggest rivals. Despite initial doubts, Pirlo quickly proved himself a valuable asset to the team, helping them win four consecutive Serie A titles and reach the Champions League final in 2015.
Further, Pirlo also had a highly successful international career, winning the World Cup with Italy in 2006 and helping the team reach the final of Euro 2012. He retired from international football in 2015, having made 116 appearances for his country.
Lastly, Pirlo’s technical ability and incredible range of passing made him one of the most highly regarded midfielders of his generation. He was a true maestro on the field, and his performances in the number 21 jersey will always be remembered by fans of Italian football.
7. Nemanja Matić:
Nemanja Matić is a Serbian professional footballer who currently wears the number 21 jersey for the English club Manchester United and the Serbian national team. He was born on August 1, 1988, in Šabac, Yugoslavia.
Matić started his professional career at Kolubara, he then transferred to Chelsea in 2009.
In 2017, Matić signed for Manchester United, where he has been a key player in midfield.
In addition, Matić has also been an important player for the Serbian national team, having made over 50 appearances since his debut in 2008.
As a defensive midfielder, Matić is known for his physical presence, tackling ability, and passing skills.
With his solid performances on the field, Matić has become a fan favorite at Manchester United and a respected figure in Serbian football. His contributions to both club and country have earned him the respect of many football fans around the world.
8. Zinedine Zidane:
Zinedine Zidane is one of the greatest footballers to have ever played the game. He is a former French footballer who is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of all time. During his playing days, he wore the number 21 jersey for both the French national team and his club teams.
Zidane also enjoyed a successful international career with France. Throughout his career, Zidane was known for his incredible technical skills, vision, and ability to score crucial goals.
Zidane’s number 21 jersey is now retired at Juventus, where he is remembered as one of the greatest players to have ever worn the black and white stripes.
9. Fabio Vieira:
Fabio Vieira is a Portuguese footballer who currently wears the number 21 jersey for FC Porto and the Portugal national team. Vieira was born on July 5, 2000, in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
Vieira is a versatile midfielder who is comfortable playing in a number of positions. He is known for his technical ability, vision, and creativity on the ball, as well as his work rate and defensive contributions off it.
Vieira has already made a name for himself at FC Porto, helping the team win the Primeira Liga title in the 2020-21 season.
With his talent and potential, Vieira is expected to have a bright future in the game and could become one of the best players to wear the number 21 jersey in football history.
10. Ben Chilwell:
Ben Chilwell is a professional footballer from England who currently wears the number 21 jersey for Chelsea Football Club in the English Premier League. Chilwell began his career with the Leicester City youth academy, where he played from the age of 12. He made his senior debut for the club in 2015 and went on to become a key player for the team.
Chilwell’s performances for Leicester City earned him a big-money move to Chelsea in the summer of 2020.
Adding that Chilwell is primarily a left-back, but he is also capable of playing as a left wing-back or left midfielder.
Overall, Ben Chilwell is a talented and promising young player who has already achieved a lot in his career. With his combination of attacking flair and defensive solidity, he is sure to be a key player for Chelsea and England for years to come.
List of Soccer Players with Number 21
| S No. | Name | Team/Club/Country | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Enrique | Barcelona, Spain | Forward, Midfielder |
| 2 | Diego Forlán | Manchester United, Uruguay | Forward |
| 3 | David Silva | Manchester City, Valencia, Spain | Midfielder |
| 4 | Gary McAllister | Liverpool FC | Midfielder |
| 5 | Philipp Lahm | Bayern Munich, Germany | Midfielder, Defender |
| 6 | Andrea Pirlo | France | Midfielder |
| 7 | Nemanja Matić | AC Milan, Juventus, New York City FC, Italy | Midfielder |
| 8 | Zinedine Zidane | Juventus | Midfielder |
| 9 | Fabio Vieira | Arsenal | Midfielder |
| 10 | Ben Chilwell | Chelsea, England National Team | Defender |
Conclusion: Soccer Players with Number 21
In conclusion, number 21 has been worn by some of the most talented and influential soccer players in the world. From midfield maestros like Andrea Pirlo and Gary McAllister to defensive stalwarts like Phillip Lahm and Nemanja Matić. Moreover the attacking talents like Diego Forlán and David Silva have worn the number 21. These players have left their mark on the beautiful game.
Zinedine Zidane’s legendary status in the sport has also been cemented in his performances while wearing the number 21 jersey. Whether they have led their teams to championships or simply dazzled fans with their skill. These players have shown the importance of wearing the number 21 with pride and excellence.
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