In this article, we’ll be looking at the greatest players in soccer who have worn the number 12. But before diving into the list, let’s explore how the numbering in soccer works.
Numbers in soccer were once used to indicate the starting 11. So number 1 would be the goalkeeper and number 11 would be the furthest player down the pitch. The number 12 in soccer would indicate the first player on the bench, which was normally a goalkeeper.
Times changed and so did the numbering system. Now specific players and positions are recognized with their shirt numbers. Number 12 can be the second choice keeper, but other players can also opt to wear it.
Thus, in this list of the greatest number 12 soccer players, we have a mix of forwards, goalkeepers, midfielders, and defenders. Some of the players included in this list are:
- Marcelo
- Olivier Giroud
- Dida
- Joh Obi Mikel
And many more! Let’s dive straight in!
Criteria for Selection in this List
To be considered for inclusion in our list, a player must meet specific criteria that reflect their exceptional contributions to the game while donning the number 12 jersey.
- Consistent level of excellence
- Influence on Position
- Association with Game-Changing Moments
- Legacy and Recognition
- Contribution to Team Success
- Recognition by Peers and Experts
- Cultural Impact
Despite thorough research, we might miss a few important number 12 soccer players. Let us know if we have missed any of your favourites in the comments.
Best Number 12 Soccer Players
1. Marcelo
Marcelo has worn the number 12 shirt for:
- Real Madrid
- Olympiacos
- Fluminense
- Brazil
Marcelo is often hailed as one of the finest left backs in soccer history, and rightly so! He’s mostly known for his time at Real Madrid as a number 12, where he was a key figure for over a decade.
The number 12 is so important to Marcelo that he started a company called “Doze” (meaning Twelve), through which he mainly invests in soccer clubs.
Marcelo’s journey into soccer stardom began at the tender age of 13 when he joined the renowned Brazilian club, Fluminense. With his lightning-quick speed and masterful dribbling skills, he caught the eye of fans and scouts alike. His flair for the game was so evident that he swiftly earned a spot in the Brazilian national team.
In 2007, he made his move to Real Madrid, a move that would forever change his career!
Embed from Getty ImagesOne of his standout seasons was 2017-2018 when he played a crucial role in Real Madrid’s third consecutive UEFA Champions League victory. Marcelo’s performances earned him numerous accolades, including multiple selections to the FIFA FIFPro World XI.
He would go on to win 25 major trophies with Real Madrid, making him the most celebrated player in the club’s history.
Embed from Getty ImagesMarcelo’s journey from the streets of Rio to the grand stages of European soccer is a testament to his talent and dedication. His charismatic presence on the field, combined with his infectious passion for the game, has earned him a special place in the hearts of soccer enthusiasts worldwide.
Major Accolades
- Featured 4 times in the L’Équipe Team of the Season (2011, 2016, 2017, 2018)
- Marcelo has been named in the FIFA FIFPro World XI 6 times (2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
- France Football, a French soccer magazine, named Marcelo in their Team of the Decade (2010–2019)
- With Real Madrid, he has won La Liga 6 times, UEFA Champions League 5 times, Copa del Rey twice, Supercopa de España 5 times, UEFA Super Cup thrice, and FIFA World Cup 4 times.
2. Olivier Giroud
Olivier Giroud has worn the number 12 for:
- FC Istres Ouest Provence
- Tours FC
- Arsenal FC
Olivier Giroud is considered as one of the best strikers of his generation. He has won almost everything there is to win in soccer, and scored some absolutely beautiful goals in the process. Giroud is also the all time top goal scorer for the French national team.
Starting his career with Grenoble in 2005, Giroud’s striking abilities quickly caught attention. His journey led him to Montpellier, where he played a pivotal role in their historic Ligue 1 title win in 2012.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut it was at Arsenal where he found global fame for himself and his number 12 shirt. In 2012, Giroud made a move to the English Premier League with Arsenal. His acrobatic goals and pivotal strikes in critical moments endeared him to Arsenal fans.
In 253 appearances for Arsenal, Giroud scored an impressive 105 goals and assisted 41 more. He also helped Arsenal end their 9 year trophy drought by winning three FA Cups.
Olivier Giroud’s journey from Chambéry to the bright lights of soccer’s grandest stages is a testament to his talent, hard work, and enduring passion for the beautiful game.
Major Accolades
- He was named Ligue 2’s Player of the Year at Tours FC in 2010 after finishing as the league’s top goal scorer.
- Giroud helped Montpellier win their first Ligue 1 title in 2012, again finishing as the league’s top goal scorer.
- At Arsenal, Giroud won three FA Cups (2013–14, 2014–15, 2016–17) and three Community Shields (2014, 2015, 2017).
3. John Obi Mikel
John Obi Mikel wore the number 12 shirt for:
- Chelsea FC
- Trabzonspor
- Kuwait SC
Mikel is synonymous with the golden era of Chelsea Football Club. From his earliest days, Mikel displayed an innate talent for soccer, catching the eye of scouts and coaches alike.
He arrived at Chelsea in 2005, and chose to wear the number 12 shirt. But this transfer was no ordinary one.
At just 18 years of age, Mikel was sought after by the biggest clubs in Europe, and one of those clubs was Manchester United. On April 29, 2005 Manchester United announced the signing of John Obi Mikel to the press and on their website. This deal was done directly with Mikel’s club, Lyn; without the involvement of his agency.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut soon, Chelsea would come in with a counter claim that they had already made an agreement with Mikel and his agents. It went so far that there were reports that Mikel was allegedly kidnapped by his agent to get him to sign for Chelsea.
The matter was resolved at the end, with Chelsea paying a £12 million fee to United for letting Mikel go. All this hard work paid off, and Mikel would go on to become one of the best players for Chelsea for the next decade.
Embed from Getty ImagesDuring his time at Chelsea, Mikel won numerous titles including Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League.
Major Accolades at Chelsea
- Mikel was named Chelsea’s Young Player of the Year for two consecutive seasons (2007 and 2008)
- With Chelsea, he won two Premier League Titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, one Champions League, and one Europa League.
4. Júlio César
Júlio César wore the number 12 jersey for:
- CR Flamengo
- Chievo Verona
- Inter Milan
- SL Benfica
- Brazil
Júlio César, the Brazilian goalkeeping legend, possessed an extraordinary talent for keeping the ball out of the net.
His professional journey began with Flamengo, one of Brazil’s most storied clubs. There, he showcased his exceptional reflexes and shot-stopping abilities. Júlio César’s heroics in goal were pivotal in Flamengo’s success, including their triumph in the 2009 Copa Libertadores.
In 2005, Júlio César made a move to Inter Milan in Italy’s Serie A. At Inter he was again given the number12 jersey, which he happily accepted.
His time with the Nerazzurri was nothing short of spectacular. He played a pivotal role in Inter’s treble-winning season in 2010, clinching the Serie A title, the Coppa Italia, and the UEFA Champions League. His commanding presence in goal earned him a reputation as one of the finest keepers in the world.
Embed from Getty ImagesMoreover, Júlio César was a stalwart for the Brazilian national team. He played a crucial role in Brazil’s victories in the Copa America and the FIFA Confederations Cup.
Major Accolades
- At Inter, Júlio César won five Serie A titles, the 2009-10 UEFA Champions League, and the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup.
- He was awarded the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year in 2009 and 2010.
- He was named UEFA Club Goalkeeper of the Year after the 2009–10 season.
- He also won the Golden Glove award at the 2013 Confederations Cup.
- With Brazil, César won the FIFA Confederations Cup twice (2009 and 2013) and Copa América (2004).
5. Giovanni van Bronckhorst
Giovanni van Bronckhorst wore the number 12 shirt for:
- Rangers FC
- FC Barcelona
Giovanni van Bronckhorst is a retired midfielder and left back. Van Bronckhorst’s versatility on the field, being able to play as a midfielder or left-back, made him an invaluable asset to his teams.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe joined Rangers from his boyhood club, Feyenoord, in 1998. This transfer proved to be fruitful for both the club and the player. His time at Rangers showcased his talents to the world, where he became a vital part of the Scottish club’s midfield. He scored 22 times from the midfield and won 3 Scottish Premier League titles in the process.
Van Bronckhorst also played a vital role in Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League win in 2005-06.
After an injury ridden stint at Arsenal, van Bronckhorst got the opportunity to join Barcelona in 2003, where he was given the number 12 shirt. His time at Barcelona, although short, was a huge success. During the 4 year period, he helped the Cules win two La Liga titles, and one Champions League.
Major Accolades with Rangers and FC Barcelona
- With Rangers, he won the Scottish Premier League three times, the Scottish Cup twice, and the Scottish League Cup once.
- With Barcelona, he won La Liga twice, Supercopa de España twice, and a UEFA Champions League in 2005-06.
6. Dida
Dida wore the number 12 jersey for:
- AC Milan
- Grêmio Football Porto Alegrense
- Brazil
Nélson de Jesus Silva, more commonly known as Dida, was a legendary Brazilian goal keeper in his playing days. He achieved stardom with his penalty saving skills.
In 2000, Dida got his move from Corinthians in Brazil to AC Milan, where he was given the number 32 jersey at first. In his second year, he was upgraded to a number 12 jersey. He played for a decade in Milan and won numerous titles as the first choice goalkeeper there.
His crowning moment came in the 2003-04 Champions League final against Juventus. The game ended in a 0-0 draw and went to penalties. Dida ended up saving 3 penalties, securing the win with a 3-2 scoreline.
During this time, Dida established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
After his move to Milan, he would soon get the call up to the Brazil national team as well. Here, he was also given the number 12 jersey, since number 1 was with Marcos. With Brazil, he went on to win the 2002 World Cup, an Olympic Medal, and two FIFA Confederations Cups.
But above his on-field performance, were his off-the-field accomplishments. Dida played a major role in ending prejudice against black goalkeepers in Brazil by winning the hearts of Brazilian people.
Major Accolades
- Dida won a Serie A title (2003–04), two Champions Leagues (2002–03, 2006–07), and a FIFA Club World Cup with AC Milan. He also won a Coppa Italia (2002–03), a Supercoppa Italiana (2004), and UEFA Super Cup twice (2003, 2007).
- With Brazil, he won the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Copa América in 1999, and FIFA Confederations Cup twice (1997, 2005).
- Dida was the first first Brazilian goalkeeper nominated for the Ballon d’Or in 2003. He finished 13th in the rankings.
7. Christian Abbiati
Christian Abbiati wore the number 12 jersey for:
- Calcio Monza
- AC Milan
- Italy
From one AC Milan goalkeeping icon to another. Christian Abbiati started his career at Monza as a number 12 but soon moved to AC Milan. Abbiati made his Milan debut in 1999 as a 92nd-minute substitute for Sebastiano Rossi, Milan’s first choice keeper at the time. He would lift his first Serie A title (of many) in that season.
He was Milan’s first choice goalkeeper for the next four years, until a certain Dida replaced him in 2002. Abbiati holds the record at Milan for most appearances by a goalkeeper (380).
In his prime, Abbiati was regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Italy. Unluckily, Buffon was holding the goalkeeping position for Italy, which made it hard for Abbiati to become a starter.
Major Accolades
- He was inducted into AC Milan’s Hall of Fame in 2017.
- With Milan, Abbiati won three Serie A titles (1998–99, 2003–04, 2010–11), one Coppa Italia (2002–03), two Supercoppa Italiana (2004, 2011), one UEFA Champions League (2002–03), and one UEFA Super Cup (2003).
8. Phil Neville
Phil Neville wore the number 12 jersey for:
- Manchester United
- England
One half of the Neville brothers, Phil Neville came through Manchester United’s youth academy in 1992 along with other stars like Gary Neville, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, etc. He was a right back in the team and played with heart and passion when called upon by Sir Alex.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe got his debut at United in 1994 wearing the number 23. It was later in 1996, by when he was a regular part of the team, that he was given the number 12. His time at Manchester United would last a decade during which he won numerous trophies including Premier League and UEFA Champions League.
Neville also played for England 59 times between 1996 and 2007, representing the nation at three European Championships.
Major Accolades
- Phil Neville was awarded Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year in 1994.
- While at Old Trafford, Neville helped United win six Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the UEFA Champions League in 1999.
9. Eduardo Camavinga
Eduardo Camavinga has worn the number 12 jersey for:
- Stade Rennais FC
- Real Madrid
Camavinga is a central midfielder at Real Madrid and plays in the number 12 shirt. It is Camavinga’s versatility that has put him in the spotlight at Madrid. While naturally a midfielder, Carlo Ancelotti has also used Camavinga as a left back and a defensive midfielder.
Camavinga started his career at the Ligue 1 side Rennes and made his debut in 2019, making him the youngest player to play for Rennes at 16 years and 6 months. His talent and dedication was apparent since his debut, which caught the eye of the Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Embed from Getty ImagesReal Madrid signed Camavinga in 2021, and gave him the number 25 jersey. It was in 2022, when Marcelo left Madrid and vacated the number 12, that Camavinga was given the number 12 shirt.
Camavinga has already made his impact known at Madrid in a few years through his game changing goals and assists. At just 20 years of age, Camavinga is surely one to look out for in the future.
Major Accolades
- Camavinga has won one La Liga, one Copa del Rey, a Supercopa de España, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup at Madrid.
10. Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry has worn number 12 for:
- AS Monaco
- Arsenal FC
- France
Thierry Henry is better known for his number 14 shirt at Arsenal. But during the early years of his career at Monaco, and for France Henry used to wear number 12. On his return to Arsenal in 2012, he also wore the number 12 since the number 14 was with Walcott at the time.
Henry is considered one of the greatest strikers of all time, and one of the greatest players in Premier League history. And rightly so! The things he could do with a soccer ball, only a few can dream of doing.
The start of his career was a good indicator of things to come. Monaco sent a scout to watch Henry play in a game when he was 13 years old. Henry scored all the six goals in a 6-0 win. He was quickly signed by Monaco without needing to go through a trial.
Embed from Getty ImagesHenry was named the French Young Footballer of the Year in 1996 and helped Monaco win the Ligue 1 title the following season. By his third season, Henry was a part of the French national team which won the World Cup in 1998.
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter a successful career around Europe and the US, Henry returned to Arsenal in 2012 on two month loan. He would score on his second debut, coming off the bench. In his final game for Arsenal, Henry again scored the winning goal in a 2-1 win against Sunderland.
Major Accolades as a Number 12
- Won Ligue 1 with Monaco FC in 1997.
- Won the 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 2000 UEFA European Championship, and FIFA Confederations Cup in 2003 with France.
- Won the UNFP Division 1 Young Player of the Year while playing for Monaco.
Conclusion: Greatest Soccer Players Who Have Worn Number 12
So, there you have it! The best soccer players to have ever worn the number 12. As mentioned before, we looked at certain criteria to include the players in this list. They needed to have created a legacy with the number, have great personal careers, and contributed enough to the teams they played in.
From Marcelo’s superb technique with the ball to Giroud’s amazing goals, these players left a lasting legacy on the game while wearing number 12.
If you feel I’ve missed someone who had to be on the list, then do let me know down in the comments.
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