Soccer players who’ve had amazing careers and set impressive records often wore the number 16 jersey.
Some are still playing, while others have retired, but their impact on the game remains unforgettable. Here’s a look at some superstar players who’ve worn the number 16 jersey, highlighting their achievements, career paths, and contributions to soccer.
Each player’s story shows why the number 16 is legendary and worth noticing in every match.
Take a look and decide for yourself
The Best Soccer Players To Wear Number 16
The number 16 doesn’t have a set position in the game, so in this list, you’ll find players who’ve excelled as goalkeepers, midfielders, wingers, and strikers. Here are some of the top players to have worn the number 16 jersey in soccer.
1. Roy Keane
Keane, a former soccer player and manager of Irish descent, is renowned as one of the greatest Irish soccer players in history.
Throughout his career, he claimed an impressive 19 major titles, with 17 of those achievements attained at Manchester United.
Keane was known for his aggressive and highly competitive style of play. As a dominating box-to-box midfielder, he showcased his talent for Cobh Ramblers, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, and Celtic. He represented the Republic of Ireland for 14 years, often as captain.
Following his retirement from playing, Keane transitioned into management.
He guided Sunderland to victory in the Football League Championship, earning them promotion to the Premier League.
In 2009, he took on the role of manager at Ipswich, and later served as the assistant manager of the Irish national team from 2013 to 2018, although his tenure was marred by internal controversies that ultimately led to his departure.
2. Sergio Aguero
Also known as Kun Aguero, is a famous soccer player from Argentina.
He’s best known for playing as a striker for Barcelona and the Argentina national team. His nickname “Kun” comes from a cartoon he liked as a kid called Kum-Kim.
Back in July 2003, when he was just 15, Aguero became the youngest player ever to compete in the Argentine Primera División, playing for Argentine Independiente, where he began his career.
Then, in 2006, he joined Atletico Madrid, where he quickly became recognized as one of the most talented young players around.
During his time at Atletico Madrid, Aguero won several awards, including the Don Balon, the Golden Boy, and the World Soccer Young Player. He also contributed to his team’s victories in the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup. In 2011, he moved to Manchester United, where he played for ten years, helping them win five league titles.
Aguero made quite a mark at Manchester City, scoring 184 goals and becoming one of the top scorers in the club’s history, as well as in the Premier League overall. He’s also one of the highest-scoring non-English players in Premier League history.
For Argentina, Aguero has also been a key player, earning over 100 caps for the national team. He’s represented Argentina in the FIFA World Cups of 2010, 2014, and 2018, contributing to their performances in those tournaments.
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3. Daniele De Rossi
De Rossi, known for wearing the number 16 jersey, made a big impact on the soccer field. He’s famous for his time playing in Serie A, particularly with his hometown club Roma.
But that’s not all—he was also part of the Italy national team that won the FIFA World Cup.
He’s known for his defensive skills and now serves as an assistant coach for the Italian national team. Throughout his career, De Rossi has earned numerous awards, including Serie A Young Footballer of the Year in 2006 and Serie A Italian Footballer of the Year in 2009.
During his tenure with Roma, he helped secure victories in the Coppa Italia in 2007 and 2008, as well as the Supercoppa Italiana in 2007. Spending 18 seasons with the club, De Rossi made an impressive 616 appearances, making him one of their most experienced players.
On the international stage, De Rossi holds the record for the most goals scored by a midfielder for Italy after World War II, with 21 goals in 117 appearances.
He’s also the second-highest-scoring midfielder in Italy’s history, behind only Adolfo Baloncieri. Also, he’s tied for the fourth-most appearances for the Italian national team, with 117 caps.
De Rossi retired from professional soccer in January 2020, leaving behind a legacy as one of Italy’s top midfielders, both in terms of goals scored and overall performance.
4. Sergio Busquets
Busquets is widely hailed as one of the greatest defensive midfielders in soccer history.
He’s particularly celebrated for his exceptional ability to control the game from deep positions, orchestrating play with his composed and precise short passes.
Hailing from Spain, Sergio has made significant contributions to both La Liga’s Barcelona and the Spanish national team.
Since joining Barcelona in 2008, he’s racked up an impressive tally of over 600 appearances and clinched the prestigious treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Champions League.
On the international stage, Sergio has been a mainstay for the Spanish national team since 2009, amassing over 120 appearances. His pivotal role was evident in Spain’s triumphs at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro 2012, where his skills were crucial to their success.
5. Arjen Robben
A former winger and Dutch soccer star, is best remembered for his remarkable long-range shots, exceptional ball control, speed, and impressive dribbling skills.
His talent was evident early on when he shined at Groningen, earning the Player of the Year title in 2000-2001. Two years later, he was named the Netherlands’ Young Player of the Year and helped PSV Eindhoven secure the Eredivisie championship.
In 2004, Robben made a move to Chelsea, where he played a key role in the team’s back-to-back Premier League title victories.
After three seasons in England, he joined Real Madrid before eventually transferring to Bayern Munich in 2009. During his time with Bayern Munich, the club dominated the Bundesliga, winning numerous league titles.
Robben’s crowning moment came in 2013 when he scored the decisive goal in the UEFA Champions League Final, securing the trophy for Bayern Munich. Throughout his career, he amassed an impressive collection of 20 trophies, including eight Bundesliga titles and five DFB Pokals.
On July 15th, 2021, Robben announced his retirement from professional soccer, marking the end of his career filled with memorable moments and extraordinary achievements.
6. Marco Verratti
Verratti, an Italian midfield maestro, has spent his entire career with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
Starting out in Pescara’s youth academy, he made his senior debut in 2008. However, his big move came in 2012 when he joined PSG, quickly establishing himself as one of the world’s premier deep-lying playmakers.
Throughout his tenure with PSG, Verratti has been a cornerstone of their success, winning eight Ligue 1 titles, five Coupe de France titles, and six Coupe de la Ligue titles.
Verratti has also been a key figure for Italy, helping them reach the finals of Euro 2020 and representing his country in three World Cups and two European Championships. Known for his exceptional ball control, precise passing, and tireless work rate, Verratti dictates the tempo of games with ease.
Even after nearly a decade in Paris, Verratti has remained an integral part of both PSG and the Italian national team, consistently delivering top-notch performances.
His talents have been recognized with multiple appearances in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season and being named to the Serie B Team of the Year in the 2011-2012 season.
Verratti’s impact on the field is undeniable, making him a respected and admired figure in the world of soccer.
7. Aaron Ramsey
This midfielder, with Welsh roots, is known for his versatility, often playing as a box-to-box midfielder on both the right and left wings. He honed his skills during eight formative years at Cardiff City as a schoolboy.
His journey took him to Arsenal in 2008 but faced setbacks when he suffered a broken leg during a match against Stoke City in 2010.
However, after recovering, he regained his form and became a regular starter in the 2011–2012 season. Notably, he scored the winning goal in the 2014 FA Cup final against Hull City.
With Wales, he reached the semi-finals of the UEFA European Championship in 2016.
His stellar performances earned him the Arsenal Player of the Season award for the 2013-2014 season. Later, he joined Juventus in 2019, where he quickly made an impact, winning the Serie A title in his first season and repeating the feat the following year.
8. Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick, an English soccer player and coach, made a name for himself during his impressive 12-year stint at Manchester United, where he even served as captain.
Known for his superb passing abilities, Carrick could also fill in as a centre-back when needed.
He started his career at West Ham United in 1997 and later joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2004 before landing at Manchester United in 2006.
During his time at Manchester United, Carrick won numerous trophies, including the prestigious Premier League title and the UEFA Champions League. Alongside Wayne Rooney, he achieved the rare feat of winning almost every major trophy available to a club.
Individually, Carrick earned honours such as being named in the PFA Team of the Year twice and winning Manchester United’s Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award. He also represented England in international competitions, including the FIFA World Cup in 2006 and 2010.
9. Edouard Mendy
The current goalkeeper for Al-Ahli, made headlines when Chelsea sold him for €18.50 million.
Although born and raised in France, he chose to represent Senegal internationally. Mendy’s journey in soccer has been a mix of ups and downs, but he’s shining brightly now.
He began his career at Le Havre Academy but initially signed with a third-division team, Cherbourg, in 2011. After leaving Cherbourg in 2014, Mendy almost gave up on soccer until he found an opportunity with Marseille’s reserves.
Over the next six years, he proved himself as a reliable goalkeeper until Chelsea signed him in 2020.
In no time, Mendy became Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper, impressing with 16 clean sheets in his debut season. His stellar performances earned him accolades like the UEFA Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season in 2020-21, Chelsea FC Player of the Year in 2020-21, and the Premier League Golden Glove in the same season.
He even set a Guinness World Record for the most consecutive clean sheets at the start of a career in the UEFA Champions League, with nine clean sheets.
Eduardo Mendy is now recognized as one of Europe’s top goalkeepers, solidifying his status by winning the UEFA Goalkeeper of the Season award in 2021.
10. Lars Bender
Lars Bender, a German defensive midfielder and right-back, spent the majority of his career at Bayer Leverkusen, where he played over 300 games from 2008 to 2021.
Known for his rugged, hard-working style of play and his knack for shutting down opponents, Bender formed a formidable midfield duo with his identical twin brother, Sven Bender, who also played for Leverkusen.
Representing Germany, Lars Bender earned 9 caps between 2011 and 2017. He notably contributed to Germany’s victory in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Both Lars and Sven Bender retired from professional soccer at the age of 32 in 2021, ending their careers on a high note and remaining in good health. Lars Bender concluded his career with TSV Brannenburg, a lower-league German team.
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