Us soccer position number system free#

Notable No.10s include Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Eden Hazard, Johann Cruyff (though he wore 14 for the Netherlands) and Pele. Keen passing skills in order to orchestrate the flow of play are crucial – playmakers are often seen as the 'puppeteers' of the team. It is a number not to be worn lightly, and one of the shirt numbers that a player must earn.Ī playmaker is typically the player who, with their acute vision, awareness of the game, passing skills, technique and ability to read the game sets the tone of the attacking play. Traditionally, the No.10 shirt is given to the team's playmaker or star attacking midfielder. Luis Suarez sported the shirt at Barcelona, while Ronaldo Nazario, Karim Benzema and Robert Lewandowski are other famous strikers to wear the No.9. Rafa Benitez had set up his team around the ex-Spain international, with the striker forming a fruitful and prolific partnership with midfielder Gerrard. Retired striker Fernando Torres embodied this shirt and role best when he earned a reputation as one of the Premier League's most lethal forwards during his years at Liverpool. The No.9 is usually given to a football team's centre forward or main striker, a prolific goalscorer in any given formation, especially the likes of 4-3-3, 4-2-2 or 4-2-3-1. Frank Lampard, who had a similar role at Chelsea, is another famous one, along with the likes of ex-Barcelona and Spain talisman Andres Iniesta and Kaka during his time at Real Madrid. The No.8 is also meant for box-to-box midfielders, those who are capable of linking up play and shifting the tone of the game from defence to attack.įormer Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, remembered as one of the greatest English attacking midfielders, is a classic example of the No.8 player.

The No.8 isn't as iconic or flashy as the seven, nine or 10, but there is a weight to it all the same. The jersey tends to be worn by goalscoring midfield players who balance the ability to regularly hit the back of the net while also providing assists and chances for their team-mates. Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish sported the number during his many years at Anfield in which he established himself as a Kop great, along with Luis Figo and George Best. The No.7 shirt has been synonymous with Ronaldo, the number following him during later moves to Real Madrid and Juventus. The No.7 shirt is reserved for wingers and second strikers, though there are some examples of legendary central strikers who have worn the shirt, thus giving the number classic status.Ĭristiano Ronaldo was given the No.7 shirt at Manchester United by Sir Alex Ferguson, following in the footsteps of former greats who wore the number such as Eric Cantona and David Beckham – with the Scottish manager believing that giving him such a shirt would give him a boost of confidence.

In recent times, the number has come to recognise defensive midfielders as well. Celebrated Barcelona midfielder Xavi, however, is a notable exception, as he wore the No.6 during his time at Camp Nou. The No.6 shirt is also commonly worn by a centre-back, such as England legend Bobby Moore. Zinedine Zidane, a playmaking central midfielder, famously wore the No. Number 5 shirtĬentre-backs typically wear the No.5 shirt, with some notable examples including ex-Barcelona captain and one-club man Carles Puyol, Fabio Cannavaro and Franz Beckenbauer. Number 4 shirtĬentral defenders or defensive-minded midfielders are given the No.4, such as Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos and Arsenal legend Patrick Viera. The No.3 shirt is also reserved for a defender, this time for a left-back. Ashley Cole, Paolo Maldini and Roberto Carlos are notable examples. Gary Neville wore the shirt during his long career at Old Trafford with Manchester United, along with Cafu and Ivan Cordoba. Number 2 shirtĭefenders – though more specifically, right-backs – usually don the No.2 shirt. Ex-Real Madrid and Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas has famously worn the number, as well as the likes of Oliver Kahn and Gianluigi Buffon. The No.1 shirt is most typically reserved for the first-choice goalkeeper at a club and is almost never given to any outfield player.

Us soccer position number system free#

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Nevertheless, classic shirt numbering and number positions form the basis of the game, and here's what you need to know about each digit's traditional roles and responsibilities in a standard 1-11 system.