The number 25 jersey has a long, storied history in soccer. It’s a number that is usually associated with great power and strength, and throughout the years, many talented players have proudly worn it. From world-renowned superstars to up-and-coming stars, many who wore the number 25 jersey have left an indelible mark on the game of soccer.
Here is my list of the players who have epitomized the number 25 jersey:
- Gianfranco Zola
- Nwankwo Kanu
- Fernandinho
- Thomas Müller
- Alessandro Florenzi
- Jadon Sancho
- Niklas Süle
- Manuel Akanji
- Nuno Mendes
- Emanuel Adebayor
I’ll take you through each of these 10 special players, discussing their unique playing styles, accomplishments, and why they made the jersey number 25 so remarkable. Are you ready to learn more about the superstars who have donned this wonderful number? Let’s go!
Table of Contents
- 1) Gianfranco Zola
- 2) Nwankwo Kanu
- 3) Fernandinho
- 4) Thomas Müller
- 5) Alessandro Florenzi
- 6) Jadon Sancho
- 7) Niklas Süle
- 8) Manuel Akanji
- 9) Nuno Mendes
- 10) Emanuel Adebayor
1) Gianfranco Zola
Perhaps one of the finest players to ever wear the number 25 jersey is Italian legend Gianfranco Zola. During his heyday with Napoli, Parma and especially Chelsea, Zola was renowned for his sublime technical ability and creativity.
The diminutive Italian international played with a flair and panache that enamored fans all over the world. His impressive dribbling skills and long-range shooting prowess made him a constant danger to opponents, and his supporters would often be heard chanting his name whenever he had the ball.
Although he wore the number 10 jersey for most of his career, it was during his spell at Chelsea that he donned the famous number 25 shirt. Since then, many Italian players have followed in Zola’s footsteps and worn the same number with distinction.
2) Nwankwo Kanu
I’ll be honest, I’ve not seen too many better sights in football than Nwankwo Kanu playing with the number 25 jersey. The Nigerian legend is remembered for his strength, skill, and determination, all of which were on full display during his time with Arsenal.
Kanu is widely considered to be one of the best African footballers ever, winning numerous Premier League titles and two African Player of the Year awards during his time in English football. He was also part of a highly successful Nigerian side that won the Olympic Gold Medal in 1996.
To this day, Kanu remains an icon back home both on and off the pitch – inspiring generations with not only his success but also with his charitable work through The Kanu Heart Foundation.
3) Fernandinho
There are few defensive midfielders that have changed the game of soccer forever – Lothar Matthaus and Sergio Busquets are two of the few that immediately come to mind, but in the Premier League, it was Fernandinho who revolutionized the role.
The Brazilian international began his career with Shakhtar Donetsk before joining Manchester City in 2013. During his time with the Citizens (as the number 25 jersey), he established himself as one of the best holding midfielders in world football, helping Pep Guardiola’s side to win multiple major trophies.
Whether it was breaking up play, providing defensive stability, or starting attacks from deep, Fernandinho was the complete package and one of the most important players in City’s history. A true modern-day great!
Fun Fact: A statistical study done during 2018 found that Manchester City won 10% more games when Fernandinho was in the starting line-up, compared to when he was not. Talk about a game-changer!
4) Thomas Müller
Are you really a soccer fan if you don’t know who Thomas Müller is? This Bayern Munich legend has been with the German giants since 2008, quickly becoming a fan favorite due to his unique playing style.
Müller has been described as a ‘Raumdeuter’, which roughly translates to “space interpreter” in German. This means that he is able to find space between the opposition’s defensive lines, allowing him to create chances or even score goals.
With 32 trophies under his belt, Müller is the most decorated German footballer in history and was even ranked the fifth-best footballer in the world by The Guardian. He has worn the number 25 jersey throughout his illustrious career at Bayern Munich and he’s certainly earned his place among the finest players to have ever worn it.
5) Alessandro Florenzi
Alessandro Florenzi is another Italian footballer who has donned the number 25 jersey with pride, this time for AC Milan. Since joining the Italian giants in 2017, Florenzi has established himself as one of the most consistent wingbacks in Europe.
My most exciting memory of Florenzi was watching him deliver a stunning long-range strike against Barcelona in the Champions League in 2015 (which was even nominated for a FIFA Puskas Award 2015).
To see just how outrageous this 50-yard goal was, you need to see it for yourself.
6) Jadon Sancho
A master of feints and trickery, Jadon Sancho has quickly become one of the most exciting young wingers in Europe. He made his name with Borussia Dortmund, later returning to England and signing up with Manchester United in 2021 (with the number 25 jersey, of course).
Going one-on-one with this young wizard is a nightmare for any defender. His pace and agility make him almost impossible to contain, and his technical skills are such that he can get past 3 or even 4 defenders in one move.
It’s also worth noting that Sancho is a talented goal-scorer, having scored 38 goals in 104 appearances for Borussia Dortmund. I can’t wait to see what he can do in the Premier League!
7) Niklas Süle
When one story ends, another begins – as Jadon Sancho left Dortmund, Niklas Süle arrived. This giant German defender started his career with Hoffenheim before signing with Bayern Munich in 2017. For the 2022-23 season, he’s come to Dortmund wearing the number 25 jersey.
Don’t be fooled by Süle’s size – he is a class defender capable of playing out from the back and is no stranger to making vital interceptions. He’s also a threat in the air, using his height to dominate aerial battles and create chaos in the penalty area.
In the 2019-20 Bundesliga season, Süle completed the continental treble (Champions League, German Cup, and Bundesliga), as part of the Bayern Munich side. There’s no doubt he’ll bring the same level of success to Dortmund!
8) Manuel Akanji
Fans of Borussia Dortmund might not particularly like this player as much as they did the previous two. After all, Manuel Akanji was singled out as the weak link in Dortmund’s defense when they lost their challenge to rivals Bayern Munich during the 2019–20 Bundesliga.
It was then that Akanji took the number 25 jersey and joined Premier League champions Manchester City in 2022. His athleticism, combined with his physicality, soon gave him the opportunity to prove himself as an excellent defender. In fact, he was voted Etihad’s Player of the Month for October 2022 – just two months after he joined!
A well-deserved addition to the number 25 club!
9) Nuno Mendes
Let’s move away from the German Bundesliga for a moment and take a look at one of the best young left-backs in Europe – Nuno Mendes. He currently plays for Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain, having joined from Sporting Lisbon in 2021.
The young Portuguese defender is a great all-rounder – he’s excellent in one-on-one battles, has fantastic energy levels, and can read a game well. In his first UEFA Champions League match, he set up an excellent opportunity for Messi at the 77th minute, earning praise from soccer pundits everywhere.
Mendes also plays for Portugal at the international level and was part of the squads for Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.
10) Emanuel Adebayor
Togo isn’t a place you immediately think of when you hear the word ‘soccer,’ but Emanuel Adebayor is one of the best players to come out of the African nation. He’s been a consistent scorer in all top leagues, having donned jerseys of the likes of Arsenal, Real Madrid and Manchester City.
It was during his time with Crystal Palace that Adebayor took the number 25 jersey. Although it was short-lived (he only stayed with the club for 6 months), he still showed his brilliance in the Premier League.
Adebayor had the honor of representing Togo at the 2006 World Cup, the country’s only appearance at the tournament so far. He was also voted African Footballer of the Year in 2008 while he was part of the Arsenal team.
Fun Fact: Emanuel Adebayor is Togo’s all-time top goal scorer, with a total of 32 goals for his country in 85 appearances.
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