He will be going to the World Cup with the French national team; the World Cup winner from 2018 managed to secure his spot after a complicated loan move back to the Wanda metropolitan stadium. 9 Still, there are some numbers that are universally agreed upon being used for a particular position, because they are quintessentially associated with that role. Ranking the 10 best La Liga midfielders in 2020 - Sportskeeda Then of the halves, 4 was kept as the central defensive midfielder, while 5 and 6 were moved backward to be in the central of defence. When each player fulfills their role and responsibilities correctly, the unit performs at a higher level. Pedri, Gavi, and Ansu Fati are some of the young stars Barcelona hopes to build future seasons and teams on. Paul Scholes was another example of the epitome of a number 8 midfielder, even though his jersey number was 18! He is a massive part of the German national team for the World Cup this year. 4.74 bn. Alonso 17 Marcos Alonso Defender Kound 23 Jules Kounde Defender Garca 24 Eric Garca Defender Martnez igo Martnez Defender Lenglet Clment Lenglet Defender Midfielders Pedri 8 Pedri. FootballTransfer's list of the most valuable Center Midfielders playing in the Spanish La Liga, according to our 'Transfer Fee Prediction' model. The most common numbers used to specify the three more central midfield positions are the numbers 6, 8, and 10. While that's true in many ways,. Let us take a look at eight famous players who sported the jersey number 8. Each of these is used because of the different strengths and attributes they provide to a team. In the past, when it was permitted to assign five substitute players in a match, the goalkeeper would also often wear the number 16, the last shirt number in the squad. The number 8 shirt is not given the attention that the number 7, 9 or 10 shirts get. Christensen, Alonso Richarlison is a striker and can play either as a central forward or on the wings of the attack. 16 July; I've played, watched, read about, and enjoyed soccer throughout my life. Pos. Football squad numbers explained: How positions are traditionally Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. In 2007, MLS club LA Galaxy retired the former playing number of Cobi Jones, number 13, becoming the first MLS team to do so. In 1995, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) also switched to persistent squad numbers for Serie A and Serie B (second division), abandoning the mandatory use of 111 for the starting lineup. Wanderers won 42. Gerrard was a brilliant team leader who led by example as an all-around midfielder! Best Midfielders playing in the Italian Serie A. FootballTransfers' list of the best Midfielders playing in the Italian Serie A, according to our model. Kane then switched to the number 10 for the 201516 season after Emmanuel Adebayor left the club and the number was vacated. This included Manchester United's Premier League clash with Manchester City at Old Trafford on 10 February 2008, when 1950s style kits were worn as part of the Munich air disaster's 50th anniversary commemorations. Andreas But that does not mean that the number 8s are any less important than the rest. Raphinha, Xavi Whether you're new to soccer or you've been enjoying it for years I'm glad you're here! Transfers & Rumours Football Transfers & Rumours. The No.8 is most commonly worn by midfielders and, in 2020/21, all the occupants of this shirt number in La Liga Santander can be classified as a midfielders with the exception of Villarreal . He then went on to lead Lyon to seven consecutive league titles. While the original 235 formation used the same numbering system dictated by the English clubs in 1928, subsequent changes were developed independently. The number 8 is a player that should always be looking to find space and positions on the field where they can receive the ball from their teammates. Ronald How Long is Halftime at the FIFA World Cup? He is regarded as one of the greatest forwards of the 90s. Today, we're going to take a look at the best LaLiga midfielders by analysing some of the key metrics from the 2021/22 season. Players were not compelled to wear the number 13 if they were superstitious. 3 In Eastern Europe, the defence numbering is slightly different. Your email address will not be published. Robert Check back later! They need to be unafraid of making strong and fair tackles that can win their team the ball. Lampard led Chelsea to their first Champions League success in 2012 and the first Europa League title a year later. Learn how and when to remove this template message, FA ban for joining the Amateur Football Association, List of retired numbers in association football, "Mystery solved: Why do the best soccer players wear No. The move to a fixed number being assigned to each player in a squad was initiated for the 1954 World Cup where each man in a country's 22-man squad wore a specific number for the duration of the tournament. The organisation that unites ex-players from all FC Barcelona football teams. He joined Barcelona in 1990 and was a part of Johan Cruyffs Dream Team that won four consecutive league titles and one Champions League title. Last season he had seven goals and four assists in 36 games, while this season, hes scored four and made two assists in 12 Premier League games. He won 2 Scudettos, 1 Champions League and a World Cup in his career and will go down as one of the best defensive midfielders of our times. Relevance is automatically assessed, so occasionally headlines not about Arda Gler news might appear - if so please contact us regarding any persistent issues. Alonso, Kound [29], On 4 July 2011, MLS club Real Salt Lake retired the former playing number of coach Jason Kreis, number 9,[30] although Kreis requested that the decision be reversed eight years later because of its traditional positional usage and prestige. Marcos This helps the other players to continue to look for attacking spaces and runs that might penetrate the oppositions defense. Few years later, he won the Champions League in 2007 after losing against Liverpool in a historic final at Istanbul in 2006. He often dictates the play in the midfield in big games and will most likely do so for many games to come. His quick decision-making made it seem like he was always ten steps ahead of the rest. While legends are often associated with jersey numbers 7 or 10, there have been midfield maestros who have donned the number 8 jersey. This was Corinthians first match after their FA ban for joining the Amateur Football Association was rescinded. Clment Most central midfielders will mark their opposing player in their position while also being aware of when they need to close the player carrying the ball down. Check out FIFA 22 LaLiga Santander on Ultimate Team - Player Stats, Rankings and Squads 15 11 Former Real Madrid and Spain midfielder Isco claimed that Sevilla's ex-director of football Monchi assaulted him during a training-ground . He played for Liverpool and England and was frequently the first name on the managers team sheet. 8 greatest number 8s of all time Football UEFA Champions League 2022-23 8 greatest number 8s of all time 8 greatest number 8s of all time By Shambhu Ajith Modified Aug 12, 2020 11:03 GMT. Positionally, number 8s need to be aware of where they are in relation to the ball. Originally from Ghana, Marcel Desailly decided to represent France and made his international debut in 1993. [42], Before the 2002 World Cup, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) attempted to retire the number 10 in honour of Maradona by submitting a squad list of 23 players for the tournament, listed 1 through 24, with the number 10 omitted. Most attacks begin with the central midfielders either carrying the ball forward or playing a through-ball or assist through to the strikers and wingers. That just goes to show how consistent a performer he was on the big stage. His performances earned him an iconic stature at the club and was named as the captain in 2003. These players often cover the most amount of ground during a game because of the vast responsibilities they have on their shoulders and the distance they need to cover. Xavi. Players ranking for the LaLiga Santander 2021/2022 - AS USA In the 1958 World Cup, the Brazilian Football Confederation forgot to send the player numbers list to the event organization. Some of the greatest players of the game have donned the number 8 shirt. Paul Scholes was one of the most talented English midfielders of all time. When their team is attacking, a number 8 needs to find spaces where they can receive the ball to carry it forward and pass to another attacking player, such as the striker or number 10. Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) Contract untill. Franck Most American and Canadian clubs have players numbered from 1 to 30, with higher numbers being reserved for second and third goalkeepers. 176 cm. At least 4 goalkeepers had been recorded wearing number 0 on field during the early years of professional league of China: Zhao Lei from Sichuan Quanxing, Wang Zhenjie from August 1, Li Jiming from Tianjin Lifei and Li Yun from Shanghai Yuyuan. My names Ben and Ive been playing, watching, and enjoying soccer for as long as I can remember! Let us take a look at eight famous players who sported the jersey number 8. 37 In contrast, the number 8 position has more freedom to experiment and explore more spaces and opportunities. [1] "10" is one of the most emblematic squad numbers in football, [2] due to the sheer number of football legends that have worn the number 10 shirt; playmakers, second strikers, and attacking midfielders have worn this number. When the ball is turned over, it is often midfielders who receive the ball first and have the opportunity to make a through-ball pass to their wingers or strikers and shift the flow of play into an attack. [18], FIGC banned the use of the number 88 on kits in 2023 due to its anti-semetic connections; the announcement was made following several instances of neo-Nazi fans using the number.[19]. Carlo Ancelotti was left impressed by Jude Bellingham as the English midfielder made his Real Madrid debut on Sunday. 19 Frank Lampard was known for his work rate, his brilliant passing abilities, and most of all, his shooting abilities. Midfield positions in the game of soccer carry responsibilities that can highly affect the success of the team. He further won a Premier League title and three FA Cups. Don Andres has had an incredibly illustrious career and many football fans believe that he was robbed of a Ballon d'Or on multiple occasions. It was not until the mid 1960s in the national team, with Argentina winning the Taa das Naes (1964) using 325, and the late '60s, for clubs, with Estudiantes winning the treble of the Copa Libertadores (1968, 1969, 1970) using 442, that Argentine football finally adopted modern formations on major scale, and caught up with its counterparts on the other side of the Atlantic. Juninho would then lead his club to 7 consecutive Ligue 1 titles. He then returned to help Everton avoid relegation into the championship last season, scoring a couple of goals. On occasion, players have moved numbers to accommodate a new player; for example, Chelsea midfielder Yossi Benayoun handed new signing Juan Mata the number 10 shirt, and changed to the number 30, which doubles his "lucky" number 15. After spending the initial stages of his career in Brazil, Juninho joined the French club Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon) in 2001. [40][41] In July 2007, a FIFA document issuing regulations for the 2010 World Cup finally stated that the number 1 jersey must be issued to a goalkeeper. Canada vs Ireland prediction, betting tips & odds, How to watch Bayern Munich vs Man City in preseason friendly, Best paid players in Saudi Arabia: Salaries for Ronaldo, Benzema and Kante, How to watch Man United vs Wrexham in USA preseason friendly, PSG and Al Nassr ends goalless in preseason friendly. Arsenal also finished as runners-up in the 2006 Champions League. Kound, Garca 1 Oriol Toni Kroos is one of the best passers in football. When substitutions were introduced to the game in 1965, the substitute typically took the number 12; when a second substitute was allowed, they wore 14. 4.73 bn Total Market Value Number of teams: 20 teams Players: 520 Foreigners: 213 Players 41.0% -Market value: 9.09m -Age: 27.3 Most valuable player: Vinicius Junior 150.00m Overview Tables Transfers Market Values Players Clubs Information & facts History News Info Andrs Iniesta Andrs Iniesta Lujn ( Spanish pronunciation: [andes injesta luxan]; born 11 May 1984) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder. Total number of matches a player has started; . 40.0M. The number 8 is involved in every part of the play on the field and needs serious fitness, endurance, and ability. When their team is in possession of the ball and looking for opportunities to enter into the final third and score a goal, number 8 players are often at the center of keeping the ball. In many teams and formations, the number 6 position holds a defensive position and shape on the field that brings stability and support to the center backs. A number 8 in soccer plays centrally on the pitch and distributes the ball to the other players ahead, behind, or wide of their position. It is generally not used today, and developed into the holding midfielder role. He was also an excellent tackler and was simply a complete midfielder. Certain positions require different attributes than others and contribute in unique ways to the overall performance of a team. There are spectacular in one way or the other, with Pedri winning the Kopa Trophy and the Golden Boy awards for 2021. This position requires a player to be quality in all areas of the game. July 16, 2022 Top 5 Best Midfielders in La Liga 2022 by Collins Nwokolo 3 minute read (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images) 5 Shares Exceptional midfielders have graced the stage in the Spanish La Liga for many years with their creativity and breathtaking skills. [1] "10" is one of the most emblematic squad numbers in football,[2] due to the sheer number of football legends that have worn the number 10 shirt; playmakers, second strikers, and attacking midfielders have worn this number. Players may now wear any number (as long as it is unique within their squad) between 1 and 99. Previous lineup from Real Sociedad vs Sevilla on Sunday 4th June 2023. A similar numbering criterion was used in the 1933 FA Cup Final between Everton and Manchester City. Spain League level: First Tier Reigning champion: FC Barcelona Record-holding champions: Real Madrid 35 time (s) UEFA coefficient: 2. Goalkeepers must wear either 1, 13 or 25. One of those clubs, Brighton & Hove Albion, issued 25 players with squad numbers but reverted to traditional 111 numbering halfway through the season. link to Age Limit For Participating In The Fifa World Cup, link to Indoor Soccer Rules 101: A Beginners Guide, Most central midfielders are the ball carriers and playmakers for their team, Although the number 10 position is the play-making position in many teams. The player in the number 8 position participates in both defending and attacking for their team as well as taking shots at goal. About FootballTransfers.com. Most central midfielders are the ball carriers and playmakers for their team. A coach may ask a center midfielder to mark certain opposing players when their team is on the defense in some games. FIFA 21 La Liga Midfielders Detailed Guide - FIFA U Team Iniesta makes the list ahead of compatriot Xavi as he has made appearances in the number 8 jersey more frequently. We're just weeks away from the official start of the 2021/22 La Liga season. #9 Federico Valverde Real Madrid CF v FC Barcelona - La Liga Displacing the likes of Luka Modric and Isco from the Real Madrid starting XI is no mean feat but at the age of 22, it is exactly. Considered to be one of the greatest midfielders of all time, Lothar Matthaus shares the record of having played 5 FIFA World Cups with Mexico's Rafael Marquez. Iniesta's dribbling, passing and vision were simply unmatched and alongside Xavi and Busquets, he formed a trio that was unstoppable for several years both for Barcelona and for Spain in the international circuit. Prior to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, only 22 players were permitted in international squads; therefore, the third goalkeeper was often awarded the number 22 jersey in previous tournaments. Let's take a look at 8 of the greatest number 8s of all time. Players are not generally allowed to change their number during a season, although a player may change number if they change clubs mid-season. "9" is usually worn by strikers, also known as centre-forwards, who hold the most advanced offensive position on the pitch, and are often the highest scorers in the team. Transfers & Rumours Football Transfers & Rumours. He went on to partner Zinedine Zidane in midfield and played an important role in the title success of the French national team at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. Having started his career at Barcelona, he has come a long way and is now the captain of the giant club. Real Madrid signed him in 2014 for 25 million and the deal is still considered a bargain. Our list of the best Midfielders playing in the Spanish La Liga, according to our model. 156. Pedri inherited his shirt number from one of the greatest players who wore the number 8 jersey Andrs Iniesta. Carlos Henrique Casemiro during the La Liga Santander match against Deportivo Alaves in Madrid, Spain. Despite lacking the technical skills, Gattusos strength, aggression and work-rate helped him gain recognition as one of the worlds best defensive midfielders. Our goal is simple - to become the #1 multi-language transfers source in the football world, serving the football fan their direct desire for everything around the most popular subject in football: Football Transfers. The purpose of jersey numbers became more about distinguishing between players throughout a season rather than defining players in specific positions in a soccer formation. In our opinion, there are four players who stand out: Partey, if you need a good defensive midfielder; Modri, if your goal is to find someone more focused on the attack; Valverde, a typical box-to-box; and Frenkie de Jong, if you want to a player balanced between the attack and the defence. He went on to become the clubs all-time leading goalscorer, highest scoring midfielder and second highest assist provider in Premier League history. Having started as a left-back, Stoichkov's explosive pace was always tough to negotiate for defenders and his left-footed screamers were simply unstoppable. Paul Scholes was a tough, aggressive player who never shied away from a strong tackle or challenge. Frank Lampard was one of the most lethal goal-scoring number 8 midfielders who played in England. Playing in midfield, these players are usually excellent dribbles of the ball, wriggling out of tight spaces with their tidy footwork and then releasing the attackers with well-weighted through balls or going for glory from distance. Most teams expect goal contributions from their midfield players throughout a season. The German has been absolutely brilliant for the Blancos and has been a blessing for them with his passing and extraordinary vision. He played for Manchester United and England. [39] In the 1990 World Cup, Scotland assigned squad numbers according to the number of international matches each player had played at the time (with the exception of goalkeeper Jim Leighton, who was assigned an out-of-sequence number 1): Alex McLeish, who was the most capped player, wore number 2, whereas Robert Fleck and Bryan Gunn, who only had one cap each, wore numbers 21 and 22, respectively. The Official site of the Bara Foundation. Hristo Stoichkov is considered to be one of the top forwards to have played in his generation. Mikel Merino - Wikipedia FIFA rejected Argentina's plan, with the governing body's president Sepp Blatter suggesting the number 10 shirt be instead given to the team's third-choice goalkeeper, Roberto Bonano. 13 kit", "Real Salt Lake retires Jason Kreis' number in unprecedented move", "RSL Legend Jason Kreis Un-Retires Number 9 Jersey", "Red Stars honor Chalupny; number 17 retired", "Teach Them How To Say Goodbye: Red Stars 1, Kansas City 0, Recap", "Joanna Lohman, Washington Spirit's 'Rainbow Warrior', retiring after long soccer career", "Following her retirement, Spirit's Lohman gets back to work", Soccer and World Cup Trivia & Curiosities, MSN Copa 2006 Curiosidades / Copa de 1958, "England in the World Cup 1982 Final Squad", "Regulations of 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa (point 4 of Article 26)", "Barnet player-manager Edgar Davids to 'start trend' by wearing No. Paul Scholes had the vision and passing ability that far surpasses anything else seen in Europes leagues. The Spaniard is one of the best deep-lying playmakers of all time. Stevie G joined Liverpool in 1997 and went on to serve them for 17 long years. The first formation used in Argentine football was the 235 and, until the '60s, it was the sole formation employed by Argentine clubs and the Argentina national football team, with only very few exceptions like River Plate's La Mquina from the '40s that used 3223. Frenkie De Jong Midfielder. . He is remembered for his crunching tackles that won his team the ball so often and his rocketing long-range shots that scored so many game-winning goals! P.S. Full list. In modern soccer, players no longer have to wear a specific number when playing in certain positions. They seem to know how to make midfielders and number 8s in Germany, as Ilkay Gundogan also puts on the number 8 Jersey at Manchester City. Transfers & Rumours. He finished 2nd, 4th and 3rd in the race for Ballon d'Or in 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies such as Flexoffers and ShareaSale, linked to on this site. During the 1990s, David Beckham wore a different shirt number for Manchester United during four consecutive seasons. He also received the World Cup Bronze Ball, an honour for the third best player at the World Cup. Portiere, ma che numero di maglia porti? Honourable mentions: Joao Vieira Pinto (Benfica), Steve McManaman (Real Madrid), Antonio Conte (Juventus), Frank Rijkaard (AC Milan), Kaka (Real Madrid), Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus). The diminutive no. He has so far led the team maturely. Garca, Martnez Paul Scholes scored many world-class goals that many strikers would be proud of! Early evolutions of formations involved moving specific positions; for example, moving the centre half back to become a defender rather than a half back. 17 Best French Midfielders - FootballTransfers.com [20] Another example is Steven Gerrard, who wore number 28 (which was his academy number) during his debut 199899 season, then switched to number 17 in 200001. After starting out at Osasuna, he went on to play for Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle United and Real Sociedad . Numbers very soon became a way to also indicate position, with starting players being assigned numbers 111, although in the modern game they are often influenced by the players' favourite numbers and other less technical reasons, as well as using "surrogates" for a number that is already in use. It is a high-energy position that requires a high level of stamina. Since the concept of a flat back four the number (5) has become the other centre back. The soccer player wearing the number 8 on their back can often stand out from the crowd of other players. However, you will find Hi, welcome to my website. In continental Western Europe this can generally be seen: This changes from formation to formation, however the defensive number placement generally remain the same. When defending, the number 8 will chase down and pressurize the opposing player who has the ball. Gattuso played as a number 8 central midfielder for AC Milan and Italy. Gerrard had a beastly right foot and has scored some absolutely outrageous goals. The season begins, come to the stadium! Kylian Mbappe to Al Hilal: Could PSG star play in Saudi Arabia? I wrote more about it in my article What do soccer jersey numbers mean? So the defence numbers were 2 to 4 from right to left thus making the right back (2), centre back (3) and the left back (4). He has been impressive in the 2022/23 EPL season, and is definitely one of the best footballers who wear the number 8 jersey. We'll look at some of the most creative players in the division as well as some of the best holding midfielders. Find out how to quickly get fit for soccer in my article How To Get in Shape for Soccer. He was also the runner up for the FIFA World Player of the Year on two occasions and has won the Bulgarian Player of the Year award a whopping 5 times. Although there are exceptions, the number 8 jersey is mostly worn by midfielders who have a keen eye for goal and can also create chances for the team. Iniesta has been a mainstay in the playing XI since the 2004-05 season. Players: 522. As its name suggests, indoor soccer is soccer played indoors rather than outdoors. FC Barcelona have agreed to sell one of their midfielders according to SPORT and Mundo Deportivo. 27. Total goalkeeper saves. North American professional association football club follows a model similar to that of European clubs, with the exception that many American and Canadian clubs do not have "reserve squads", and thus do not assign higher numbers to those players. [1], The first record of numbered jerseys in football date back to 1911, with Australian teams Sydney Leichardt and HMS Powerful being the first to use squad numbers on their backs. Total Market Value. The German legend had great positional sense, great vision and could leather the ball into the back of the net from anywhere. But he more than makes up for it with his incredible passing range and accuracy with both feet. Ive created this site to share different things with you that Ive learned, and am learning, about soccer along the way. Gndogan, Romeu 22 [1], For instance, "1" is frequently used by the starting goalkeeper, as the goalkeeper is the first player in a line-up. He also won two FA Cups, three Football League Cups and one FA Community Shield. Andrs Iniesta - Wikipedia This means you can play the game all year round, regardless of the weather outside. In the modern-day game, the number 8 is worn by attacking midfielders whose job is to make space in congested areas and both create and score goals. At AC Milan, he again partnered Andrea Pirlo and this partnership was pivotal in Milans domestic as well as European successes. [9] Nevertheless, it was not until the 193940 season when The Football League ruled that squads had to wear numbers for each player.[9][6]. [25] In The Football League, the number 55 has been worn by Ade Akinbiyi for Crystal Palace,[26] and Dominik Werling for Barnsley. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hes also one of the Serbian national team players who made them spectacularly qualify for the World Cup, having beat Portugal to the automatic qualification spot. But don't let the aggression take anything away from his game, Gattuso was an excellent player for both Italy and AC Milan. Goalkeeper. Most Valuable Football Players. Next, lets look at some of the greatest number 8s that have ever played the game. He was placed 11th in arsenal.coms Gunners Greatest 50 Players. About FootballTransfers.com. Eric Their numbers went with them, hence central defenders wearing number 5, and remnants of the system remain. Please logout and login again. It is a number not to be worn lightly, and one of the . Ansu Fati, Torres Pos. Iniesta was a number 8 who was better known for his attacking prowess and skill. He has played for Borussia Monchengladbach, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan in his club career. The basic formation to understand the Argentine numeration system is the 433 formation, like the one used by the coach Csar Menotti that made Argentina win the 1978 World Cup, the squad numbers employed are: In Brazil, the 424 formation was developed independently from Europe, thus leading to a different numbering here shown in the 433 formation to stress that in Brazil, number ten is midfield: When in 424, number 10 passes to the Ponta de Lana (striker), and 442 formations get this configuration: four defenders 2 (right wingback), 4, 3, 6 (left wingback); four midfielders 5 (defensive), 8 ("second midfielder"), similar to a central midfielder), 7, 10 (attacking); two strikers 9, 11, In France, players must be registered between numbers 130, with 1 and 16 reserved for goalkeepers and 33 left empty for extra signings.