Capped 185 times by Sweden. Dino Zoff is the oldest man ever to win the World Cup, captaining Italy to success in Spain in 1982. One of the first players to buck this trend was Johann Cruyff, who became known as a rebel, and one not prepared to bow to conformity. Nordby helped lead Norway to a stunning upset of the United States on the way to winning the 1995 Womens World Cup and followed that up with a gold medal at the 2000 Sumer Olympics. And she was tougher for it she played with boys teams until mixed playing was banned when she was 12 years old. Thrust into the spotlight at the 2007 Womens World Cup, the perennial reserve goalkeeper put in a virtuoso performance, going unbeaten for a world record 540 minutes during Germanys victorious campaign that year." Players who wear the number play in attacking positions and are known for their playmaking skills and ability to influence the game. Bernardo Silva is undoubtedly one of the best midfielders in the world, and one of the top soccer players wearing the number 20 Jersey. Nowadays, most top football leagues adopt the squad number system. Luis Figo, the Portuguese international, who played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid, and who won the Ballon Dor in 2000, also chose to wear that numeral. Angerer didnt give up a single goal the entire tournament as Germany won its second straight World Cup. . She has 96 goals in international play and has taken the field for Brazil in four World Cups and four Summer Olympics. At that time, the numbers 1 to 11 were assigned to starting players according to their position on the field, with substitutes, which were not allowed until 1965, given higher numbers. The number 7 is also one of the most iconic numbers in the soccer world, however, what made it even more iconic in the past decade is the one and only Cristiano Ronaldo. .css-m6thd4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#323232;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-m6thd4:hover{color:link-hover;}}Remembering Just Fontaine and His World Cup Record, The Man Behind the First All-Black Basketball Team, 8 Times Brothers Have Faced Off in a Championship, Every Black Quarterback to Play in the Super Bowl, Soccer Star Christian Atsu Survived an Earthquake. One of the most marketable womens soccer players ever, she has endorsement deals with Nike, Visa, Heineken and Beats by Dre, among others. When he later played for AC Milan and PSG, he wore 32 23 reversed. Her shining moment came as the goalie for the USWNT during its legendary win at the 1999 Womens World Cup, where she posted four shutouts. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. We have to wait for a talent to appear." He kept over 270 career clean sheets and made more than 150 penalty saves. Among them include Pele, Maradona, Messi, Ronaldinho, and Kaka. That's an incredible number for a soccer player. Number 1 is traditionally associated with goalkeepers, and some of the finest to wear this numeral on their back include Lev Yashin, Gordon Banks, Dino Zoff, Manuel Neuer, and Gianluigi Buffon. 24 makes this list not because of a player, but rather because of what is unquestionably one of the most iconic single moments in the history of American sports. Kristine Lilly, Teams: Goteborg (2001-08), Swedish national team (2004-18), Olympique Lyon (2008-16), FC Rosengard (2016-18). Milbrett scored the game-winning goal for the U.S. in the Olympic finals in 1996, then led the U.S. in goals during its historic Womens World Cup victory in 1999. The Tottenham player was given this shirt because squad numbers were decided in alphabetical order. Regarded, along with Pel, as one of the greatest players of all time, he scored some spectacular goals, not the least of which was his second in the World Cup quarter-final against England in 1986, the year that Argentina would go on to clinch the trophy. Also read: Top 10 most earning female soccer players. Two-time Olympic gold medalist. CHI . She helped lead the team to the championship in the first Womens World Cup in 1991, then played every minute of the 1995, 1999 and 2003 Womens World Cups, as well as the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics a stretch in which she also gave birth to three children. Key stats: Two-time FIFA Womens World Player of the Year. Key stats: Two-time FA Womens Player of the Year. March 1, 2023 6:12 pm ET. Three-time Olympic gold medalist. Kristine Lilly occasionally gets overlooked on the list of all-time great American players, but there's no denying her place as the sport's Iron Lady: Over a career that stretched from 1987 to. Two-time Womens World Cup champion. Key stats: FIFA Womens World Cup All-Star. Although Brazil full-back and now captain of the national team, Dani Alves, has traditionally worn the number 2 jersey, in the summer of 2013, while he was at Barcelona, he opted to change to 22 instead.The reason he did so was that was the number worn by his good friend Eric Abidal, who had endured a difficult fight with liver cancer during the latter part of his career in Catalonia. Its that simple. 4. FIFA Womens World Cup champion. There are only six players who have ever scored in every game of a league season: Shearer, George Best, Pel, Maradona, Ronaldinho, and Messi. Joy Fawcett, Teams: University of Portland (1990-94), U.S. womens national team (1991-2006), Shiroki F.C. Key stats: Two-time FIFA Womens World Cup champion. Usually wearing number 9, he had given his usual shirt to a teammate, Gerrie Muhren, who often wore 7. Thus, they do not allow their field players to wear the number. 9 to Maya Moore at No. All the products you see are carefully selected by excellent manufacturers. Sinclair made her mark on American soccer in college, winning two national titles at the University of Portland. Nadine is at number 10 in the list of top 10 famous female soccer players of all time. Capped 188 times by Norway. "She was our everything.". Instead, they were assigned randomly, and Pel happened to be given number ten. Akers finished with 105 career international goals in just 153 appearances, the third-least amount of appearances by a player with at least 100 goals. Curry started 159 times in 173 appearances for the USWNT and also was the WUSA Goalkeeper of the Year in 2003. Then there was Eric Cantona (King Eric) who is widely credited with helping turn Sir Alex Fergusons United into a multi title-winning team, and who has been voted as the clubs greatest ever player. If she keeps up with her displays, she will become the best striker in the world. Well, its because it has been worn by some of the biggest soccer legends over the years. After retiring in 2011 at 34 years old, Prinz went to work as a sports psychologist for mens and womens teams in Bundesliga, the highest level of pro soccer in Germany. As the products relate many kinds of sports, the size will be slightly . Ivan Zamorano had one of the most unique jersey numbers in the history of the game. "One thing I've learned in life is that I can speak for myself, that I can fight my own battles. Won 2007 Womens World Cup Golden Ball and Golden Shoe. If Hamm was soccer's first female superstar, then Marta was the one who raised the bar to show that women were capable of the magnificence and flair once considered exclusive to the men's game. Julie Fleeting came from a soccer family in Scotland, with her father and uncles all professional or amateur players. Smith is one of England's most decorated female soccer players. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Willian - Arsenal 3. Some of the best players of all time have worn the number 10 jersey, including the man widely regarded as the greatest of them all, Pel. I said it's impossible. These factors combined make it one of the best soccer numbers for goalkeepers. "Work hard at everything you do. Never quit. Don Drysdale, MLB; Harry Carson, NFL; Randy Gradishar, NFL; Artis Gilmore, NBA 54 Randy White, NFL; Rich Gossage, MLB; Brian Urlacher, NFL; Chuck Howley, NFL 55 Orel Hershiser, MLB; Junior Seau,. 13 when he joined the Yankees in 2004. All Teams. She was also nominated for FIFA Womens World Player of the Year four times, in 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2007. Roy Keane. She scored a record 10 goals to power the U.S. to victory in the first women's World Cup in 1991 and was the backbone for an American side that won it all at the 1996 Olympics and '99 World Cup. Michelle Akers Country: United States Pearce notably led Sky Blue FC to the 2009 WPS championship and was named the 2009 WPS Sportswoman of the Year, later revealing she was three months pregnant during the entire playoff run. Some famous soccer player numbers have become prominent than others, famous either for the players who have worn it on their backs or because of its association with a significant match or event. Capped 311 times by the U.S. Christy Pearce began to grab headlines as a three-sport star at Monmouth University in basketball, soccer and lacrosse. Number 9 A classic number 10 and surely, one of the most famous number 10 football players in history, Zico usually played as an attacking midfielder, although he was also able at playing in several other attacking and midfield positions, and was also arrayed as a central midfielder, as a second striker or inside forward, or even as an outright . He had been synonymous with the number 7 shirt at Old Trafford, but, when he arrived at Real, he found that club legend Ral owned it. As the products relate many kinds of sports, the size will be slightly different, so please contact customer service for any product size and product details, and we will reply in time when we see them thank. Essays, songs and television specials have been written about the catch made by Willie Mays at the Polo Grounds during the 1954 World Series. Lilly also won four NCAA championships at the University of North Carolina during that time and made one of the more memorable plays in World Cup history when she cleared a ball off the goal line that had gotten past goalkeeper Brianna Scurry in the 1999 final against China, forcing a shootout that the U.S. won in dramatic fashion. You decide how you want to write your story." She plays with passion and style, and she is surely going to be help our squad become one of the most entertaining teams in the league." He ended up offering to refund all those supporters that had already bought shirts with Bendtner 26 on the back. Large number 7s are not just confined to Manchester United, however. Fixed numbers given to each player, were first introduced during the 1954 World Cup. 14-time Canada Soccer Player of the Year. Akers finished with 105 goals in 153 international games, a remarkable output considering she spent the late years of her career battling chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome. World Cup Golden Ball winner. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Greatest Women's Soccer Players By Tony Adame, updated on May 3, 2022 David Zalubowski / AP Photo The first women's soccer World Cup was held in China in 1991, and in less than 30 years, the game has developed a rich and storied history. Birthplace: San Dimas, California, United States. Nonetheless, McDavid is a blue-chipper that has already posted back-to-back 100+ point seasons. (American Professional Soccer Player Who Plays as a Striker) 39. Also Read: Top 10 German Soccer legends of all time 9. Bixente Lizarazu had the number 69 as his jersey number at Bayern Munich. Two-time FIFA Womens World Cup champion. Capped 354 times by the U.S. Kristine Lilly still was in high school when she joined the U.S. womens national team and stayed on the roster for 24 years, becoming the most capped player in history for both mens and womens soccer with an astounding 354 caps. Despite Frances struggles in international play, Necib was a winner on the club level and played on three UEFA Womens Champions League teams. Two-time Womens World Cup champion. Russian Lev Yashin is the only goalkeeper to win the Ballon Dor and was chosen in World Soccers most excellent side of all time, as well as being named Russias most celebrated athlete of the 20th Century. Key stats: Two-time FIFA Womens World Cup champion. Number 9 They are superstar athletes on par with any other sport in the world. finally has her title. Louisa Necib, labeled by the French press as the "Female Zidane" a reference to French star Zinedine Zidane was an electric playmaker who competed in two Womens World Cups and the Summer Olympics for France. For a decade, Gordon Banks was regarded as not only the best keeper in England but also the world. Gianluigi Buffon is one of only a handful of players to have a thousand professional appearances and holds the record for the cleanest sheets in Serie A and the Italian national team. If you google his name, youll find out that Lizarazu was born in 1969, and he is also 169 cm tall, which made him want the number 69 when playing for Bayern. The first Asian to win FIFA Player of the Year honors, Sawa was unable to replicate the lightning-in-a-bottle success of 2011, though she still closed her international career in impressive fashion with runner-up finishes at the 2012 Olympics and 2015 World Cup. Although the 31-year-old is now . The diminutive Argentine helped the Italian side win Serie A for the first time in their history (twice), and was feted for his close control, dribbling ability, vision, and technique. Necibs greatest asset as a player was her ability to play her position in so many ways and do it all expertly, showing she can transition between attack, as a central or deep-lying midfielder. All Rights Reserved. View details. 6. Make it Personal Add Any Name & Number; Huge Range of Kits Find Your Favourite Team! He won the World Cup with Italy in 2006, and won Serie A with AX Milan and Juventus, was always associated with the number 21 shirt throughout his long career.He later revealed that this was for superstitious reasons. Capped 154 times by Brazil. Tiffeny Milbrett, Teams: Scottish national team (1996-present), Ayr United Ladies (1996-2002), San Diego Spirit (2002-03), Ross County Ladies (2003), Arsenal Ladies (2004-12), Valur (2006), Kilwinning Ladies (2013), Celtic Ladies (2013-15), Glasgow City (2015-16). WorldSoccerShop investigates and gives you all the details. Marcin Oleksy (Poland . It was his style of play, ability to beat a full-back, and supply crosses for the incoming forwards that made the number 7 the first choice for countless footballers and supporters in post-war Britain.Garrincha meanwhile (literally Little Bird in Portuguese, was the wide man who starred for Brazil in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, and when his teammate Pel got injured in the course of the subsequent tournament in Chile, almost single-handedly was responsible for his country retaining the trophy with his close control and dribbling ability.