In soccer, each jersey number carries its significance, often symbolizing the role and position of the player on the pitch.
Among these numbers, the number 11 holds a special place, reserved for the dynamic and electrifying right-wingers or right-wing forwards. These players possess a unique blend of flair, speed, and skill, captivating audiences with their mesmerizing performances on the field.
The number 11 jersey is synonymous with excitement and creativity, as it is often worn by players who excel in dribbling past defenders, delivering pinpoint crosses, and scoring breathtaking goals.
That said, let us share with you some of the best players who wear the number 11 jersey
Best Number 11s In Football
1. Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs is one of the best wide players ever, and he always wore the number 11 jersey throughout his career at Manchester United. He joined United when he was just 14 years old in 1987 and started playing professionally for them in 1991.
During his incredible 23 years at Manchester United, Giggs played in 963 matches, showing off his amazing skills as a left winger. He won a bunch of trophies, including 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and big ones like the UEFA Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup.
Giggs was so good that he even scored in every single one of the first 21 seasons of the Premier League! And whenever he played for Wales, he stuck to his lucky number 11.
In short, Giggs was a soccer superstar who rocked the number 11 jersey like no one else, and his incredible career left a mark on soccer history that will never be forgotten.
2. George Best
George Best is remembered as one of soccer’s greatest players, celebrated for his mesmerizing dribbling skills.
Wearing the number 11 jersey during the 1971-1972 league campaign, Best showcased his exceptional talent, captivating fans with his ability to effortlessly manoeuvre the ball with both feet.
Making his debut at a youthful 17-year-old, Best embarked on a remarkable career, scoring 179 goals from 470 appearances over 11 years.
While representing Northern Ireland on the international stage, he earned 37 caps between 1964 and 1977, further solidifying his reputation as a footballing icon.
Although Best never had the chance to compete in the finals of a major tournament with his national team, his influence on the game was undeniable.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions, he was named among the finalists for the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Century award in 1999, a testament to his enduring legacy.
However, it was in 2002 that Best’s impact on the sport was enshrined in history when he became one of the inaugural inductees into the English Football Hall of Fame.
This prestigious honour immortalized Best’s extraordinary talent and ensured that his name would forever be synonymous with excellence on the soccer field.
3. Romário
Romário de Souza Faria, famously known as Romário, is a legendary figure in football history, celebrated for his exceptional finishing abilities while wearing the iconic number 11 jersey.
With over 700 goals to his name, Romário’s skill in front of goal is unmatched, making him one of the greatest goal-scorers of all time.
His career saw him achieve remarkable milestones, including scoring at least 100 goals for three different clubs. His most memorable moment came in 1994 when he led Brazil to victory in the FIFA World Cup, earning both the Golden Ball for the tournament’s best player and the FIFA World Player of the Year title.
Beginning his professional journey in Brazil, Romário’s talent soon caught the attention of European clubs, leading to his move to PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands in 1988. During his five-year spell at PSV, Romário showed his scoring ability by netting an incredible 165 goals in 167 games, helping the club win three Eredivisie titles.
Romário’s success in the Netherlands paved the way for a move to FC Barcelona, where he became an integral part of Johan Cruyff’s legendary “Dream Team.”
4. Mohamed Salah
Salah has been a force to be reckoned with since he arrived at Liverpool. Despite not being a natural striker, his statistics speak for themselves.
Known for his composed finishing, dazzling dribbling, and lightning speed, Salah is considered one of the best players of his generation and among the greatest African players in history.
After a stint at Chelsea that didn’t go as planned, he found success in Serie A with Roma before signing with Liverpool in 2017.
In the Liverpool number 11 jersey, Salah has been a standout performer, breaking records with his goal-scoring prowess and playing a pivotal role in the team’s triumphs, including the 2018 UEFA Champions League victory.
Forming a lethal trio with Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mané, Salah has been instrumental in Liverpool’s Premier League and Champions League successes.
His list of honours is as impressive as his performances on the pitch.
5. Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba is a soccer legend known for his time at Chelsea and his impact on African football. He was strong, fast, great in the air, and could control the ball like few others.
He’s one of Africa’s best players ever. At Chelsea, he scored more goals than any other foreign player and is the club’s fourth-highest goal scorer overall.
Many consider him Chelsea’s greatest player ever because he helped win league titles and FA Cups.
Drogba was known for stepping up in big games, earning him the nickname “ultimate big game player.” He’s also the all-time top scorer for the Ivory Coast national team.
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6. Francisco Gento
Francisco “Paco” Gento López made an unforgettable impact at Real Madrid after joining them in 1953. He’s renowned as one of the greatest players to wear the number 11 jersey for the club.
Gento earned accolades as the greatest Spanish footballer and ranked as the 30th greatest footballer globally of the 20th century. His career began at Racing Santander in 1952 before he moved to Real Madrid the next season.
With an impressive record of eight European Cup finals, Gento secured six victories. Also, he won 12 La Liga titles during his remarkable career.
7. Miroslav Klose
Miroslav Klose is a legendary German footballer known for wearing the number 11 jersey. He had an amazing career both in clubs and on the international stage.
Starting at FC 08 Homburg, Klose showed his talent early. But it was at Kaiserslautern where he started to shine, setting the stage for his incredible journey.
His time at Werder Bremen was special, where his goal-scoring ability was simply sensational. Then he moved to Bayern Munich, winning league titles and adding to his list of achievements.
Klose didn’t just make an impact in Germany. He also played in Serie A for Lazio, winning the Coppa Italia.
But his biggest achievements came on the international stage. Klose holds the record for the most goals scored in the FIFA World Cup, with an incredible 16 goals across four tournaments from 2002 to 2014.
8. Di María
Di María is widely regarded as one of the greatest players Argentine has ever produced. And currently, he is dazzling wearing the number 11 jersey for the Benfica football club.
His first spell with Benfica was impressive, and he is back again doing his thing with his left foot. Signing for the club at the age of 19, he was crucial to the team’s performance in securing the Primeira Liga title and two Taça da Liga titles.
These stunning performances earned him a move to Real Madrid in 2010, where he won La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. He has also played for Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, and Juventus.
With over 130 caps, he has been a consistent presence for the Argentine in different tournaments, including four FIFA World Cups.
9. Gareth Bale
Bale is undeniably one of the greatest talents of his time. His journey from Southampton to Tottenham Hotspur and then Real Madrid is truly remarkable.
Starting as a left-back at Southampton, Bale made a pivotal move to Tottenham in 2007 thanks to Harry Redknapp. This shift marked a turning point in his career.
Transitioning from left-back to winger, Bale showcased his skills in both positions. His speed and long-range scoring ability made a huge impact.
During his time at Tottenham, he earned numerous individual awards, including the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and spots in the PFA Team of the Year.
In 2013, Real Madrid acquired Bale for a record fee, forming the formidable “BBC” trio with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
Despite facing injuries, Bale left his mark with memorable moments like his iconic overhead kick in the 2018 UEFA Champions League Final and winning the FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball in the same year.
10. Marco Reus
Marco Reus, the talented German footballer wearing the number 11, is celebrated for his adaptability and strong team play. Despite his skills, injuries nearly derailed his career with Borussia Dortmund and the German national team.
Starting from Borussia Dortmund’s youth system, Reus quickly became a key player for the club. In the 2012 season, he was exceptional, scoring 18 goals and providing 12 assists in the Bundesliga, leading Dortmund to the UEFA Champions League.
Reus’s impact on Borussia Dortmund’s achievements has been immense. He contributed to the team’s victories in multiple DFL-Supercups and a DFB-Pokal, tallying over 150 goals.
His performances earned him the German Footballer of the Year title twice and the Bundesliga Player of the Season award thrice.
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