This is a list of the greatest soccer players ever who wore the number 21 jersey.
The jersey number carries great significance in soccer. While the numbers were once used to signify the positions on the pitch, thatโs not the case anymore.
Now, players choose their jersey numbers because of personal preferences. The number represents a playerโs identity and legacy.
Sometimes players get assigned a number by their team and they choose to keep it.
Such is the case with number 21.
On this list, youโll find players who wore the number 21 jersey like:
- Andrea Pirlo
- David Silva
- Paulo Dybala
- and more!
So, letโs get started and look at the 10 best soccer players with the number 21 jersey.
Criteria for Selection in this List
Before starting, letโs look at the criteria for the list.
Players must tick these criteria while wearing the number 21ย jersey to be included in the list.
- 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, I might miss a few number 21 soccer players.
So, let me know if Iโve missed any of your favorites in the comments.
Top 10 Greatest Soccer Players Who Wore Number 21 Jersey
10. Frenkie De Jong
Frenkie De Jong has worn the number 21 jersey for:
- FC Barcelona
- Ajax Amsterdam
- Netherlands
De Jong slots in at number 10 on our list. Some might argue his talent deserves a higher spot. But heโs still at the start of his career and has not achieved as much as some others on the list.
The number 21 has a very special meaning for him and his family. His grandfather, a big soccer fan, passed away on Frenkieโs 21st birthday. So, the number 21 is a tribute to him.
De Jong is like a metronome on the pitch. He dictates the tempo of the game from midfield and can also unlock defenses with his passes.
De Jong is also surprisingly strong in defense.
Thereโs no doubt Frenkie de Jong is a world-class talent. And as he continues to develop, we might see him climb this list in the future.
9. Nemanja Matic
Nemanja Matic wore the number 21 jersey for:
- Chelsea FC
- Benfica
- Stade Rennais FC
- Serbia
Coming in at number 9 is the imposing Serbian midfielder, Nemanja Matiฤ.
With his defensive solidity and soccer IQ, Matiฤ brings a different kind of magic to the number 21 jersey.
Matic rose to prominence at Chelsea, where he played as the single pivot in the midfield. He also formed great partnerships in the midfield with Fabregas and Kante.
Known for his tireless running, Matic excels at breaking up play, shielding his defense, and keeping things simple with his passing.
Heโs not the flashiest player on the pitch. But his contribution to a teamโs defensive stability is undeniable.
From time to time, Matic also has a spectacular goal in his locker. He can hit the ball with a lot of power and accuracy to beat the keeper from a long range.
All this makes Matic a strong asset for any team he plays in.
8. Pablo Aimar
Pablo Aimar wore the number 21 jersey for:
- Valencia CF
The number 8 entry takes us back to a player who graced La Liga with his elegance โ Pablo Aimar.
Aimar was a magician with the ball at his feet. Fans adored him for his for his sublime passing and close control. He could also weave through defenses with ease.
It was a joy to watch Aimar play soccer.
Pablo is the only current footballer Iโd pay to watch. Heโs been the best player in Argentina over the last couple of years and is even more talented than Riquelme or Saviola.
Diego Maradona in 2003 interview with World Soccer.
At Valencia, Aimar formed a strong partnership with strikers like Mista and David Villa. They would torment defenses with their quick thinking and combination play.
While goalscoring wasnโt his primary strength, Aimar did contribute his fair share. He chipped in with some crucial strikes and created a threat on the counter-attack.
Aimar helped Valencia win two La Liga titles and a UEFA Cup in 2003-04.
7. Paulo Dybala
Paulo Dybala has worn the number 21 jersey for:
- Juventus FC
- AS Roma
- Argentina
โLa Joyaโ, Paulo Dybala, takes the number 7 spot on our list.
Currently dazzling fans at AS Roma, Dybala has become one of the most exciting attackers in Serie A.
The legacy of number 21 at Juventus is huge (as youโll see later in the rankings). So, when Dybala arrived at the club, he chose to wear number 21 to be the next part of that legacy.
Dybala is a left-footed forward with a bag of tricks at his disposal. He has exceptional dribbling skills and can leave defenders in his wake with his agility.
His creativity is another key strength. He can thread killer passes through tight spaces or whip in dangerous crosses.
But Dybala isnโt just about flair; heโs got a knack for finding the net as well. His finishing is precise and clinical. Whether itโs a curling effort from distance or a composed strike inside the box, he can do it all.
While at Juventus, Dybala helped the team win five Serie A titles and four Coppa Italia.
Now at Roma, heโs become the focal point of the attack.
While consistency can be a question mark at times, Dybalaโs talent is undeniable. This makes him a worthy addition to our list of top players who wear the number 21 jersey.
6. Edinson Cavani
Edinson Cavani wore the number 21 jersey for:
- Manchester United
- Danubio FC
- Uruguay
Cavani steps in at number 6 on our list.
While Cavani was better known for number 9, he also wore the number 21 for a large part of his career.
Cavani wore number 21 throughout his international career. But his choice to wear the number 21 at Manchester United was one of sacrifice.
After wearing number 7 during his first season at the club, Cavani had to give up the shirt in the second season.
Why?
Because of the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo.
So, Cavani chose the number 21 to allow Ronaldo to wear his iconic number upon his return to the club.
But enough about that. Letโs talk about Cavani as a player.
Cavani is a classic number 9; a lethal striker with a predatorโs instinct for goal. His movement off the ball is intelligent which allows him to clever runs to find gaps in the defense.
Heโs a proven finisher at the highest level, and his clinical finishing made him one of the most dangerous strikers ever.
5. Lilian Thuram
Lilian Thuram wore the number 21 jersey for:
- AC Parma
- Juventus FC
- FC Barcelona
Thuram, a titan of French defense, secures the number 5 spot on our list.
His legendary career was much more than his jersey number. But his association with 21 during his prime deserves recognition.
Thuram wasnโt your average defender. Blessed with blistering pace, exceptional athleticism, and an iron-clad mentality, he was a rock at the back.
His anticipation was top-notch, allowing him to snuff out danger before it materialized.
During his time at Juventus, Thuram solidified his place as one of the best defenders of his generation. He helped them win two Serie A titles and a Supercoppa Italiana.
He was a key figure in Franceโs 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 victories as well.
For his performances, Thuram won many awards like French Player of the Year and Guerin dโOro. He was also a part of the FIFA 100 list and several Team of the Year.
4. David Silva
David Silva wore the number 21 jersey for:
- Manchester City
- Valencia CF
- Real Sociedad
- Spain
Wearing the number 21 jersey with grace, David Silva steps in at number 4 on our list.
Silva first decided to wear number 21 at Valencia as a tribute to Pablo Aimar. He admired Aimarโs playing style and saw him as the most similar player to himself.
Then in 2010, Silva arrived at Manchester City and continued wearing number 21. During his decade-long stint at City, he played a key role in their most successful period.
He helped the team win a staggering 14 trophies during his time there.
Silva was also an important squad player for the great Spanish squad that won three back-to-back trophies.
Silva wasnโt the biggest or the strongest, but his technical ability was unmatched. He was an expert at threading through balls and creating scoring chances for the strikers.
His dribbling skills were also mesmerizing. He could navigate tight spaces with ease and leave defenders in his wake.
David Silva embodies everything a modern attacking midfielder should be. And so, is a worthy entry on this list.
3. Philipp Lahm
Philipp Lahm wore the number 21 jersey for:
- Bayern Munich
- VfB Stuttgart
The ever-reliable Philipp Lahm takes the bronze medal position on our list.
Lahm was much more than a reliable defender. He was a complete player.
He started his career as a right-back and was known for pace, crossing, and defensive solidity. His tackling was precise, his positioning immaculate, and his overlapping runs a constant threat down the flank.
But as Lahm matured, his tactical intelligence shone through. He transitioned seamlessly into a central midfield role under Pep Guardiola.
In this new role, he dictated the tempo of the game with his passing range and playmaking. Lahm became the orchestrator, pulling the strings from a deeper position and watching over the defense.
Lahmโs leadership qualities were another defining aspect of his game. He was a true captain on and off the pitch, leading by example with his work ethic and professionalism.
As a captain, he led Bayern Munich to their historic treble in 2013.
He also captained Germany to the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Lahm is surely one of the greatest soccer players to wear the number 21 jersey.
2. Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane wore the number 21 jersey for:
- Juventus FC
Yes, I didnโt put Zidane at the top of the list. Zidane takes the 2nd spot because this list isnโt only about the playerโs career but also their legacy with number 21.
As for Zidane, he wore the number 21 jersey during his time at Juventus. But heโs better known for his number 5 at Real Madrid and number 10 with France.
Donโt get me wrong though. Juventus was also an important chapter of Zidaneโs career. It was at Juventus where he blossomed into the world-class soccer player we all know.
Zidane arrived at Juventus in 1996 as a talented but raw midfielder with potential. And the team already had world-beaters like Alessandro Del Piero and Didier Deschamps.
But it didnโt take Zidane much time to adapt to the Italian game. He soon became a key player in the team.
Zidaneโs technical ability was a sight to behold. His first touch allowed him to control the ball in tight spaces with ease.
His vision for a pass could also unlock defenses with inch-perfect through balls and switches of play.
Furthermore, Zidane could dribble past defenders with ease. He would often leave defenders mesmerized by his feints and footwork.
He helped Juventus win two Serie A titles and reach two Champions League finals.
It was also during his time at Juventus that Zidane won the Ballon dโOr in 1998.
1. Andrea Pirlo
Andrea Pirlo wore the number 21 jersey for:
- AC Milan
- Juventus FC
- Inter Milan
- New York City FC
- Brescia Calcio
- Italy
At the top of the list is the undisputed king of the number 21 jersey, Andrea Pirlo.
The number 21 is synonymous with the name of Pirlo.
It was a special number for Pirlo since it was his fatherโs birthday, his wedding anniversary, and the date of his Serie A debut back in 1995.
So, Pirlo developed an attachment to the number and never changed it during his career.
Now what made Pirlo a special player?
The Italian maestro redefined the deep-lying playmaker role. He used to dictate games with his unparalleled vision, pinpoint passing, and ice-cold composure.
Pirlo wasnโt the fastest or the strongest, but his mind was a chessboard several moves ahead. His vision for a pass allowed him to slice through defenses with inch-perfect balls.
He also had an uncanny ability to control the tempo of the game. He was the best at dictating the pace from a deeper position and pulling the strings.
But that wasnโt all. Pirloโs skill on a dead ball was also legendary. His free kicks were a thing of beauty. They would curl past despairing goalkeepers and find the net with pinpoint accuracy.
His penalties were equally composed. You might remember the chilling panenka he scored against Joe Hart at the 2012 Euros.
At AC Milan, Pirlo was the heart and soul of the midfield. He helped them win two Champions League titles and countless domestic trophies.
Then he replicated this success with Juventus, winning four Serie A titles along with other domestic trophies.
He also played a pivotal role in Italyโs 2006 World Cup victory.
Pirloโs legacy as the king of the number 21 jersey is undeniable. Itโs hard to argue against the fact that heโs the greatest soccer player to wear number 21 jersey.
Honorable Mentions
Some great players just missed out on the top 10 list.
So here are the honorable mentions of the best players with the number 21 jersey.
- Ander Herrera. Wore number 21 for Manchester United, Athletic Bilbao, and PSG.
- Luis Enrique. Wore number 21 for FC Barcelona and Spain.
- Christophe Dugarry. Wore number 21 for Marseille, Bordeaux, Birmingham, and France.
- Ben Chilwell. Wears number 21 for Chelsea FC.
Thank You For Reading
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Your support and sharing of this content can help us reach a wider audience. It can also provide valuable information to more people who share our passion for the beautiful game.
Iโd also like to hear what you have to sayโฆ
Whoโs the greatest soccer player to wear the number 21 jersey?
Which player would you have included in the top 10 thatโs not in there?
Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment below right now!
And thank you for supporting Soccer Mavericks!
If you liked this article, check out other lists in this series:
- Best Soccer Players With The Number 2 Jersey
- Best Soccer Players With Number 3 Jersey (All-Time List)
- Best Soccer Players Who Wear Number 4
- Best Soccer Players Who Wore The Number 5 Jersey
- Best Soccer Players Who Wore the Number 6 Jersey (All Time List)
- Greatest Number 11 Players in Soccer
- Best Soccer Players Who Wore the Number 12
- Best Soccer Players With Number 13 Jersey
- Best Soccer Players Who Wore the Number 14 Jersey
- Best Soccer Players Who Have Worn Number 15
- Best Soccer Players With Number 16 Jersey (Ranked)
- Top 17 Soccer Players Who Wear The Number 17 Jersey
- Best Soccer Players With The Number 18 Jersey (Ranked)
- Best Soccer Players With Number 19 Jersey (Ranked)
- Best Soccer Players With Number 20 Jersey (Ranked)
