Is #22 a good soccer number? A couple of interesting facts about the number 22: it’s the atomic number of titanium, and the Guinness world record for most people riding a skateboard is 22. You’ll be thrilled at how many players have worn the number 22 jersey and the legacy they left with it.
Here is a list of well-known players who have worn the number 22 jersey:
- Eric Sylvain Abidal (FC Barcelona)
- Panayotis Alexander Lalas (United States National Team)
- Ricardo Kaka – Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite (AC Milan)
- Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus)
- Angel Fabian Di Maria (Real Madrid)
- Paul Scholes (Manchester United)
- Isco – Francisco Roman Alarcon Suarez (Real Madrid)
- Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea)
- Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid)
- Raphinha – Raphael Dias Belloli (FC Barcelona)
- Nick Pope (Newcastle United FC)
- Benjamin Mendy (Manchester City FC)
In this article, you will learn more about these players, the teams they played for, as well as some of their most important accomplishments in their careers. Prepare for the kickoff!
Table of Contents
- Eric Sylvain Abidal (FC Barcelona)
- Panayotis Alexander Lalas (United States National Team)
- Ricardo Kaka – Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite (AC Milan)
- Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus)
- Angel Fabian Di Maria (Real Madrid)
- Paul Scholes (Manchester United)
- Isco – Francisco Roman Alarcon Suarez (Real Madrid)
- Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea)
- Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid)
- Raphinha – Raphael Dias Belloli (FC Barcelona)
- Nick Pope (Newcastle United FC)
- Benjamin Mendy (Manchester City FC)
Eric Sylvain Abidal (FC Barcelona)
Eric Abidal was known to be a fearsome bulwark on the field. His tactical defense capabilities were nothing to take lightly, and he has proudly worn the number 22 in the Barcelona, Monaco, and Olympiacos teams.
His undying determination is awe-inspiring. Despite being diagnosed with cancer in 2011, his drive didn’t waver as he continued to do his best in the sport he loves most.
Panayotis Alexander Lalas (United States National Team)
The 2006 National Soccer Hall of Famer, “Alexi Lalas,” made huge waves in the World Cup scene in the 1990s. His best achievements as a soccer player include winning the CONCACAF Champions Cup, MLS Cup, and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
He retired in 2002 and became a trusted soccer analyst for Fox Sports.
Ricardo Kaka – Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite (AC Milan)
Ricardo Kaka, or simply “Kaka,” was an attacking midfielder who was mainly a playmaker for AC Milan in his prime. Kaka’s iconic reputation was built on his impeccable goal-scoring, creative passes, and midfield dribbles.
He etched his name into the AC Milan Hall of Fame in 2010. His other notable feats include the following:
- UEFA Club Footballer of the Year
- UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year
- FIFA World Player of the Year
Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus)
The Ghanaian soccer player Kwadwo Asamoah made his soccer career debut with Udinese in 2008. After four years of consistent and exceptional performances, he earned a spot at Juventus as the team’s defender.
Due to his versatile, tactical, and dynamic prowess, he became the Ghana Player of the Year twice. He also got to represent Ghana in the FIFA World Cup twice.
Angel Fabian Di Maria (Real Madrid)
Angel Di Maria wore the number 22 jersey for five seasons at Real Madrid. Before he got his break as Real Madrid’s midfielder, he had an amazing career highlight with Benfica as he scored his first hat trick against Lexus.
Unfortunately, Angel Di Maria got suspended for a year in 2017 due to his sentence for tax fraud.
Paul Scholes (Manchester United)
Paul Scholes was one of the best midfielders of his generation and has carried the jersey number 22 for most of his career at Manchester United.
His career began with Manchester United Youth under Alex Ferguson. In 1994, Paul officially became a professional soccer player for Manchester United as the team’s midfielder.
He secured his legacy in soccer when he was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
Isco – Francisco Roman Alarcon Suarez (Real Madrid)
Isco was a force to be reckoned with as an attacking midfielder for both the Spain national team and Real Madrid.
Thanks to the top-notch performances in his career, Isco was able to bag the following awards:
- Four FIFA Club World Cup titles
- Four UEFA Champions League trophies
- Two La Liga titles
- Copa Del Rey trophy
- Golden Boy award
Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea)
From long passes to free kicks, Hakim Ziyech is a skilled and versatile attacking midfielder or winger. His praiseworthy skillset became further evident when he was listed in the UEFA Champions League 20-man squad of the season in 2019.
If that wasn’t enough proof, The Guardian also rankePhotograph byd Hakim Ziyech as the world’s 29th-best player in the same year.
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid)
Antonio Rudiger’s soccer career started gaining traction with Chelsea, as he won the FA Cup in his very first season. He would later join Real Madrid as the team’s defender with the number 22 jersey.
Here are some of Antonio Rudiger’s notable titles and achievements so far:
- Champions League winner
- FIFA Club World Cup winner
- Two-time UEFA Super Cup winner
- Europa League winner
- English FA Cup winner
- Confederations Cup winner
Raphinha – Raphael Dias Belloli (FC Barcelona)
Arsenal and Chelsea were eyeing to recruit Raphinha, but in the end, the Brazilian forward chose to join FC Barcelona as it was his dream pick.
While he started with 11, he eventually received the number 22 jersey and kept it for most of his stay with FC Barcelona.
Raphinha has the Spanish Super Cup, Portuguese Cup, and Portuguese League Cup trophies bagged in his soccer career.
Nick Pope (Newcastle United FC)
No one can talk about the top goalkeepers of England without mentioning Nick Pope. The guy has proven himself to be in a class of his own when he was named the Burnley Player of the Year for two seasons in 2017-18 and 2019-20.
If you check out his best career highlights, you’ll see some of the best saves in soccer history. The number 22 in his jersey perfectly represents a titanium defense, if you ask me.
Benjamin Mendy (Manchester City FC)
Benjamin Mendy is one of those soccer players who won several trophies in just 22 games. I’m not even exaggerating when I say this man has a lot of trophies bagged in his career.
Manchester City FC’s defender and number 22 has won the following trophies:
- World Cup
- Four-time English Champion
- French Champion
- English FA Cup
- Four-time English League Cup
- Two-time Super Cup
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