This is a list of the greatest soccer players who wore the number 22 jersey.
The number 22 has been worn by some notable players throughout their careers. Some of the players include:
- Kaka
- Eric Abidal
- Isco
- Angel Di Maria
On this list, you’ll find these players and more who left their mark on the number 22 jersey.
So, let’s get started and look at the best soccer players who wore the number 22 jersey.
Criteria for Selection in this List
Before starting, let’s look at the criteria for the list.
Players must tick these criteria while wearing the number 22 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 22 soccer players.
So, let me know if I’ve missed any of your favorites in the comments.
Top 10 Greatest Soccer Players Who Wore Number 22 Jersey
Here are the top 10 soccer players with the number 22 jersey.
10. Lautaro Martínez
Lautaro Martínez wears the number 22 jersey for:
- Argentina
At number 10 on our list is the goal machine Lautaro Martinez.
He’s had a great career so far which only seems to be getting better as time goes on.
Martinez is an elegant player on the ball with good dribbling skills, finishing ability, and physical strength. He’s also good in the air despite not being the tallest on the pitch.
His work rate has also earned him the nickname “El Toro” or “The Bull”.
Martinez has represented Argentina at various youth levels. Then he made his senior debut in 2018 and became a key player in the squad.
He helped Argentina win the Copa América in 2021 and later the World Cup in 2022.
9. Antonio Rudiger
Antonio Rudiger wears the number 22 jersey for:
Rudiger takes the 9th spot on our list.
After impressing at Chelsea, Rudiger earned a move to Real Madrid in 2022. Since his preferred number 2 jersey was already with Carvajal, Rudiger had to settle with number 22.
One thing that stands out about Rudiger is his physical stature. His long legs and pace allow him to cover large spaces behind the defense.
Rudiger is also an aggressive center-back. He’s not afraid to put his body on the line and make hard tackles to defend the goal.
His cognitive ability and ease in progressing the ball have also been important to his success.
Although it’s still early days at Madrid, Rudiger has already become a vital part of their backline. He has helped the team win 4 trophies and is on course to win La Liga this season.
8. Gaël Clichy
Gaël Clichy wore the number 22 jersey for:
- Arsenal FC
- Manchester City
- France
In at number 8 is the ever-reliable full-back, Gaël Clichy.
He was an aggressive defender who also had speed, technical ability, and attacking instincts. Clichy was also an expert at overlapping the wingers and delivering crosses into the penalty box.
Clichy joined Arsenal in 2003 and started wearing the number 22. Although he didn’t have a choice on the number at the time, 22 became his number for the rest of his career.
At Arsenal, Clichy quickly became a regular starter at left-back and helped the team win the FA Cup in 2005.
In 2011, Manchester City signed Clichy in a shock move. There he continued to excel as a left-back and helped City win several important trophies.
He was a key player in Manchester City’s Premier League winning campaigns in 2011-12 and 2013-14.
Clichy wore the number 22 with France as well. He made his debut for the national team in 2008 but couldn’t secure a starting position.
7. Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham wore the number 22 jersey for:
- Birmingham City
- Borussia Dortmund
Based on talent, Bellingham deserves to be higher on this list. But I think it’s too early in his career for that. So he’ll have to settle for the 7th spot.
Jude Bellingham is a versatile midfielder who excels at playing several roles. In fact, his versatility is the reason why he wore the number 22 jersey.
His youth coaches at Birmingham City encouraged him to not limit himself to one role. They wanted him to be good as a holding midfielder (No. 4), box-to-box midfielder (No. 8), and attacking midfielder (No. 10).
The sum of their numbers resulted in 22, which became Bellingham’s jersey number.
His impressive performances in the Championship caught the eye of top clubs in Europe. So in 2020, Bellingham joined Borussia Dortmund.
He would continue to shine at his new club and establish himself as one of the best midfielders in the world.
Bellingham now plays at Real Madrid and wears Zidane’s number 5 jersey.
6. Hakim Ziyech
Hakim Ziyech wore the number 22 jersey for:
- Ajax Amsterdam
- Chelsea FC
- Galatasaray
Ziyech takes the number 6 spot for his amazing career as a number 22.
Hakim Ziyech is a creative winger with excellent vision and creativity. He can create scoring opportunities for his teammates through precise and incisive passes.
His vision on the field allows him to spot runs and openings that others might miss.
Ziyech also has great shooting skills. His ability to find the back of the net from distance adds an extra dimension to his play.
He joined Ajax in 2016 and chose to wear the number 22 jersey. Ziyech was instrumental in Ajax’s domestic and European campaigns.
His performances attracted the attention of top clubs, leading to a move to Chelsea.
In 2020, Ziyech joined Chelsea, where he continued to display his talent. But it wasn’t so easy for him to impress the Chelsea fans.
He faced competition for playing time but still managed to help Chelsea win the UCL in 2021.
Ziyech currently plays for Galatasaray and continues to wear the number 22 jersey.
5. Angel Di Maria
Angel Di Maria has worn the number 22 jersey for:
- Real Madrid
- Juventus FC
The number 5 spot on our list belongs to the tireless Argentine winger, Ángel Di María.
He’s a constant threat down the flanks, tormenting defenders with his dribbling skills. He can also cut inside from the wings and unleash powerful shots.
Di Maria first wore the number 22 shirt during his highly successful stint at Real Madrid. Jose Mourinho was adamant about signing the less-known Argentine winger.
So in 2010, Madrid completed a £21 million transfer for Di Maria from Benfica.
Here he was a key member of the team that lifted the Champions League trophy in 2014.
Interestingly, he even chose number 22 again upon joining Juventus in 2022. He cited the fond memories of his Champions League triumph as a reason to wear number 22.
After a stellar career, Di Maria is now considered one of the best Argentine players ever. So, he was an easy choice for this list.
4. Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes wore the number 22 jersey for:
- Manchester United
The number 4 spot on our list for iconic number 22 wearers is a true Manchester United legend – Paul Scholes.
Scholes spent his entire professional career at Manchester United wearing number 18. But in 2011, he announced his retirement, leaving a massive void in United’s midfield.
Fast forward to January 2012. Manchester United were facing a midfield crisis. So Alex Ferguson looked towards one of his reliable soldiers to pull out of the mess.
Scholes, having kept himself in fantastic shape, also felt the pull of the game once again.
In a move that sent shockwaves through the soccer world, Scholes agreed to come out of retirement for the rest of the season.
There was a small wrinkle, though. Ashley Young was already wearing Scholes’ beloved number 18. So Scholes decided to wear the number 22 jersey.
The impact was immediate. Scholes, even at 37, rolled back the years with his intelligent passing, pinpoint control, and knack for scoring crucial goals.
Scholes’ time with number 22 was brief. Yes. But it was a great reminder of why Scholes was one of the best at what he did.
3. Isco
Isco wore the number 22 jersey for:
- Málaga CF
- Real Madrid
- Sevilla FC
- Real Betis
- Spain
The number 3 spot goes to Isco as one of the best soccer players to wear the number 22 jersey.
He started his career at Valencia, but it was at Malaga that Isco started wearing number 22. It was also at Malaga that Isco rose to prominence and garnered the attention of top clubs.
So in came Real Madrid and signed Isco in 2013. At the start of his career at Madrid, Isco had to wear number 23. That was because the number was still worn by Angel Di Maria.
But once Di Maria left, Isco switched to his preferred number 22 again.
Often referred to as a “magician”, his skillset is a delightful mix of creativity and close control. He also has a knack for finding killer passes through tight spaces.
Isco became a key component of Real Madrid’s golden era. He helped them win two La Liga titles and also their historic Champions League 3-peat.
While Isco has since moved on from Real Madrid, his legacy with number 22 remains. He continues to remind fans why he’s one of the most gifted players of his generation.
2. Eric Abidal
Eric Abidal wore the number 22 jersey for:
- FC Barcelona
- AS Monaco
- Olympiacos
- France
The second place on our list goes to the defensive rock, Eric Abidal. Since a young age, he established himself as a tough-tackling, composed defender.
Abidal’s journey with number 22 began at FC Barcelona. He was given the number 22 as his preferred number 20 was already taken by Deco.
Abidal brought much-needed stability to Barcelona’s defense.
He wasn’t the most attacking full-back. But his defensive discipline and positional awareness were invaluable assets for Barcelona’s success.
After 2 years of his arrival, Barcelona won the historic treble in 2009. Although Abidal was a key part of the team, he had to miss the Champions League and Copa Del Rey final due to suspension.
Everything was going well for Abidal, until in 2011, he was diagnosed with a liver tumor. But he wasn’t fazed by it.
He battled the illness and made a miraculous return to professional soccer in 2013.
Abidal’s story with number 22 is more than just on-field achievements. And that’s why he’s deserving of the second place as the most iconic player to wear number 22.
1. Kaka
Kaka wore the number 22 jersey for:
- AC Milan
Claiming the top spot on our list of the best soccer players with the number 22 jersey is Ricardo Kaka.
Kaká’s rise to superstardom began at São Paulo. Everyone knew he’d become the next big star.
So AC Milan came knocking and signed him in 2003. Here, he decided to wear the now iconic number 22 jersey.
This marked the beginning of a beautiful partnership between player and number.
Kaká redefined the role of the attacking midfielder. He had an effortless grace on the field, gliding past defenders with his silky dribbling.
His vision was also great, allowing him to thread pinpoint passes that could unlock defenses with ease.
But Kaká wasn’t just a playmaker. He could also unleash a powerful shot and score amazing goals.
In 2007, Kaka led AC Milan to the Champions League trophy. Due to his performances that season, he also won the Ballon d’Or. He would be the last player to win the Ballon d’Or apart from Ronaldo and Messi for more than a decade.
Thank You For Reading
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I’d also like to hear what you have to say…
Who’s the greatest soccer player to wear the number 22 jersey?
Which player would you have included in the top 10 that’s 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)
- Best Soccer Players With Number 21 Jersey (Top 10)
