Who are the stand-out players in soccer history to have worn the iconic number 8 jersey?
In soccer, a number 8 is a central midfielder who operates as a box-to-box player, doing both attacking and defensive jobs.
However, as the beautiful game of soccer evolves with new tactical innovations, the number 8 role comes with more responsibility which includes supporting play through the channels.
As iconic as the number 8 position is, the job of players playing that position requires lots of deftness, energy, and attacking instinct when the team is on the ascendancy.
While the above statement are fact about the number 8 position, it doesn’t mean every player who wears 8 on their back plays in that position.
Over the years in soccer, we’ve seen defensive midfielders, center-backs, and even a striker wear the number 8.
But here at Cheapgoals, we’ll take you through the names of players we idolized who sported the number 8.
1. Andres Iniesta
If there’s any player who upholds and embodies Barcelona’s mantra to the latter, standing proudly as the epitome of the club and philosophy is Andres Iniesta who donned the number 8 throughout his stint at Nou Camp.
Iniesta is a diminutive figure who probably lacks the pace and power associated with modern-day soccer.
However, what he lacks in stature is more than compensated for by his deftness, finesse, elegance, and technical ability on the ball.
If truly soccer is a beautiful game, then we could argue that Iniesta personifies the game in its purest form at the highest level even at the twilight of his career at Visel Kobe.
2. Hristo Stoichkov
Hristo Stoichkov, the architect in Johan Cruyff’s Barcelona side that dominated European soccer in the 90s with their imposing tiki-taka style was another standout star who wore the number 8.
Though the Bulgarian legend is well renowned for his hot-headedness as a player it must be noted that his talent is second to none when his on the pitch.
Stoichkov endeared himself greatly into the hearts of fans with his free-kick deftness, brilliance, and fierce power in hitting the ball throughout his time at Barcelona.
If there’s any trophy at all given to the finest player ever to emerge from Bulgaria, perhaps such a gong should be given to Stoichkov over and over again.
3. Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard, the player and captain is one of the finest of his generation who can easily slot into any of Europe’s top team starting eleven.
Stevie G, as his nickname is another standout star of the beautiful game of soccer who wore the number 8 shirt at Liverpool with respect, affection, and dedication.
The current Al-Ettifaq manager’s level of productivity as a player was second to none at Liverpool where he stands as a legend for his leadership quality and trophies won for the club.
4. Frank Lampard
In contrast, Scholes was a genius, while Gerrard was a monster, but if you’re to consider raw stats and impact over a decade, perhaps no midfielder comes close to Frankie.
In terms of goal contribution, breathtaking moments in the final third, and consistency Lampard truly clawed his way to the pinnacle of soccer donning the number 8.
Aside from the fact that his arrival at Stamford Bridge heralded a new beginning in the club’s history, Lampard was without mincing a word one of the finest English players of the first decade of this century.
5. Juninho Pernambucano
The beautiful game of soccer has seen quite a lot of players who are specialists in free-kicks, but there has never been a player who had the ability to have a ball bend to his will like Juninho.
His rise to prominence started at Sport Recife where he won two titles, but he enjoyed more success at the pinnacle of French football with Olympique Lyonnaise.
Prior to his move to Lyon, they’d never won the Ligue 1 title before, but his arrival came with upward success that started with the Coupe de France.
In a sport dominated by the art of finding the tiniest advantages in order to win a game or title having Brazil stand on a free-kick guarantee you a goal.
6. Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos is arguably the most decorated German to ever wear Real Madrid’s iconic jersey, considering his contribution to the game and the qualities he possesses as a player.
The Real Madrid midfielder often makes passing the ball so easy with his brilliant technical ability on the pitch with the iconic number 8 jersey floating on his back.
Kroos won’t only be remembered as one of the most famous players to wear the iconic number 8.
He’ll be remembered for his trademark passes, tearing Brazil apart in Belo Horizonte, steering Los Blancos to a Champions League trinity, and his perfect understanding with Modric and Casimero.
7. Ricardo Kaka
From a shy tennis-loving kid to a success story at the highest level of soccer to winning the Ballon d’Or, Champions League, and many other trophies says a lot about Kaka.
He was one of Brazil’s finest players who at his peak was a joy to watch with his majestic movement and prolificness in front of goal.
The former Milan legend was a real mastermind on the field and a down-to-earth gentleman in the truest sense of description.
As an attacking midfielder who understood the game and how to navigate the opposition with his passes, he’s certainly one of the best to grace the beautiful game.
8. Fredrik Ljungberg
In an era before Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden’s footballing hopes rested on the shoulder of Karl Fredrik Ljungberg.
Under his leadership as the captain of Sweden, the Nordic nation enjoyed more success at major tournaments alongside his partner in crime Henrik Larsson.
Ljungberg may not have won the coveted FIFA Player of the Year or the Ballon d’Or, but his impact and contribution at the highest level of the game made him one of the most talented players to have graced Arsenal’s shirt.
9. Gennaro Gattuso
Behind the celebrated artistry of Rui Costa or Andrea Pirlo, was Gattuso’s graft in AC Milan’s midfield.
His incessant harrying and regaining of possession makes up for his lack of finesse and deftness on the ball when Milan is on the ascendency.
In an era where midfield partnerships with great understanding are rare to have in a team, Gino and Pirlo forged a partnership that yielded quite a lot for the Italian side and nation on the pitch.
10. Steve McManaman
Is McManaman the greatest English player to ever sported the Real Madrid jersey? Perhaps yes, with Jude Bellingham just writing his own chapter at the Santiago Bernabeu.
His four-year stint at Real Madrid coincided with the era in which legendary Spanish coach Del Bosque led Los Blancos to the echelon of European football.
Steve was so good that he was described as one of the most aesthetically pleasing English players who had a more memorable and impactful impression on soccer beyond England’s entrenched borders.
Other Famous Soccer Players That Wear The Number 8 Jersey
- Christian Eriksen – (Ajax)
- Ludovic Giuly – (Barcelona)
- Emile Heskey – (Liverpool)
- Mikel Arteta – (Arsenal)
- Wayne Rooney – (Manchester United)
- Javi Martinez – (Bayern Munich)
- Raul Garcia – (Atletico Madrid)
- Ian Wright – (Arsenal)
- Marcel Desailly – (AC Milan)
- Claudio Marchisio – (Juventus)
- Carlo Ancelotti – (AC Milan)
- Shaun Wright-Phillips – (Manchester City)
- Frank Rijkaard – (AC Milan)
- Antonio Conte – (Juventus)
FAQs
Who is the best number 8 player in the Premier League?
The number 8 legends
Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, both wearing the number 8, are considered legends.
Frank Lampard is hailed as the best goalscoring midfielder in Premier League history and possibly Chelsea’s greatest player ever. Some even argue he’s the finest goalscoring midfielder of the modern era.
How do you play number 8 in football?
Midfielders in the number 8 role must be quick and nimble to track back when their team is defending. They help out their defenders by filling open spaces, making important tackles, and blocking shots from the edge of the box.
What is the number 8 and 10 in football?
8 Central midfielder (more attacking/Box-to-Box) 9 Striker (usually a target player) 10 Centre-forward (usually a fast poacher) 11 Left winger.
Who is the best number 8 player in Laliga in history?
Andres Iniesta
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