You would expect some of the greatest players in soccer to have numbers like 7, 10, or 11. In fact, any number between 1 and 11 is likely to be on the back of a star player. Yet, for some reason, few iconic players have decided to wear number 26 and immortalize it in history.
Here’s my list of amazing players who have worn the number 26 jersey:
- John Terry
- Edgar Davids
- Nemanja Vidic
- Diego Contento
- Shinji Kagawa
- Folarin Balogun
- Tom Davies
- Andrew Robertson
- Riyad Mahrez
- Dean Henderson
From the Premier League to the Bundesliga, these players have all been donning the number 26 and becoming legends in their own right. In this article, I’ll show you exactly why these ten players have made this number so special and how it will go down in history. So let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- 1) John Terry
- 2) Edgar Davids
- 3) Nemanja Vidic
- 4) Diego Contento
- 5) Shinji Kagawa
- 6) Folarin Balogun
- 7) Tom Davies
- 8) Andrew Robertson
- 9) Riyad Mahrez
- 10) Dean Henderson
1) John Terry
Chelsea has had a rich history of great players, and the number 26 jersey has been worn by one of the most iconic figures in the club’s history: John Terry.
The former captain was a mainstay in the Chelsea defense for nearly two decades, making close to 500 appearances and lifting five Premier League titles in the process. Considered one of the best defenders in the world, the Englishman was a leader both on and off the field and an instrumental part of Chelsea’s golden era.
Apart from captaining The Blues, Terry was also the captain of the England national team for three years. If the number 26 was ever recognized as the jersey of a true leader, then John Terry was its poster boy.
2) Edgar Davids
Imagine being a forward breaking through the ranks of the rival team, just to see a dreadlocked defender in goggles sprinting at you. That was the nightmare that attackers faced when playing against Edgar Davids.
The Dutchman was a force to be reckoned with in both midfield and defense. He played for several clubs in his career, such as Juventus and Barcelona, but he is most remembered by fans of Ajax Amsterdam. Here, he was a part of the star-studded team known as “The Golden Generation” and won the UEFA Champions League in 1995
Did you know: Edgar Davids was one of the players to be featured on Pele’s list of the 125 greatest living soccer players (also called FIFA 100). Truly a number 26 great!
3) Nemanja Vidic
Vidic was the rock at the back for Manchester United for nearly a decade. The number 26 Serbian defender was part of the Red Devils’ team that won three Premier League titles, five Community Shields and a Champions League.
His impressive displays earned him two Premier League Player of the Season awards and a place in the FIFPro World XI twice. What made Vidic so special was his commitment to defending and how he was never afraid to put his body on the line. For that, he has gone down as one of the best defenders in Premier League history.
4) Diego Contento
I was thinking of a number 26 great from the Bundesliga, and how can one forget Diego Contento? The German defender was a consistent figure at Bayern Munich for seven seasons and won three Bundesliga titles as well as a Champions League trophy.
Contento was known for his cool composure while on the ball, a trait that was invaluable to the Bayern defense. He also had a knack for late runs into the box, something that was seen in his performances against Chelsea in the finals of the 2012 Champions League.
Currently, Contento is without a club, but the number 26 will continue to be associated with him for many years to come.
5) Shinji Kagawa
When I think of Japanese soccer, one name stands out – Shinji Kagawa. The attacking midfielder is currently plying his trade for Cerezo Osaka in the J1 League, but it’s his stints at Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United (wearing the number 26 jersey) that made him a household name.
Kagawa was an influential figure in Dortmund’s 2011-12 Bundesliga-winning season, playing in the team’s classic 4-2-3-1 formation. The Japanese international was also named the Asian Football Confederation’s International Player of the Year in 2012 for his performances for Dortmund.
It’s no doubt that Kagawa will go down in history with the likes of Kunishige Kamamoto and Kazuyoshi Miura as Japanese legends of the beautiful game.
6) Folarin Balogun
Staying in the Premier League, let me talk about a young star who is yet to make his mark in the English topflight – Folarin Balogun. The 21-year-old striker is currently playing for Arsenal, but his first senior appearance was in 2019 when he replaced Eddie Nketiah for the final minutes at Aviva Stadium during the 2020-21 UEFA Europa League.
Fun Fact: Balogun even became Man of the Match for that particular game!
Balogun has been likened to fellow forward Thierry Henry by some, and his goal-scoring record in Arsenal’s U23 team is impressive. He has all the makings of a great player, and it’ll be interesting to see how he progresses with the number 26 on his back.
7) Tom Davies
It seems like the Premier League is taking over this list, but Tom Davies definitely deserves to be here. The young English midfielder has been wearing the number 26 since he broke onto the scene at Everton back in 2016.
Versatile, efficient, and creative, Davies is a player who can contribute to the team in many different ways. Just two years after his debut at the age of 20, he was even made the captain of Everton’s team – the youngest in the club’s history.
8) Andrew Robertson
The captain of the Scotland national team, Andrew Robertson is not simply a great leader but also one of the best full backs in the world. He currently plays for Liverpool and wears the number 26 jersey, something that he has done since joining them from Hull City back in 2014.
His raw physical prowess, excellent vision and pinpoint crossing make him a unique player, but it’s his tireless work ethic that really stands out. Whether he’s tackling or going forward, Robertson always gives it his all on the pitch, and that is why he has been so successful.
Don’t believe me? I’ll let his EFL Championship, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup, and EFL Cup medals do the talking (all for Liverpool, all with the number 26 blazing on his back!).
9) Riyad Mahrez
The man who single-handedly won Leicester City the 2015-16 Premier League title – none other than Riyad Mahrez. This Algerian winger has been a revelation for Manchester City since his move there in 2018 and currently wears the number 26 jersey for the Citizens.
With exemplary dribbling skills and a penchant for trickery, Mahrez has been terrorizing defenders in the Premier League for years. His trophy cabinet isn’t too shabby either, with two Premier League medals (one for Leicester and one for Man City) and an African Cup of Nations title with Algeria.
If you want to see just how good this man is, watch some of his best moments below:
10) Dean Henderson
I’ve shown you strikers, mid-fielders, and full backs. Now, let me talk about a goalkeeper – Dean Henderson. He currently plays for Manchester United and wears the number 26 jersey at Old Trafford – quite a strange number choice for a goalkeeper, I know.
Regardless, Henderson has been impressive since his move to Manchester and looks set to rival David de Gea for the No. 1 spot in the Red Devils’ goalkeeping department. Although he’s on loan now to Nottingham Forest, Henderson has made some fantastic saves this season and is definitely one to watch out for.
Did you know: Henderson proudly holds two Guinness World Records titles – For ‘Fastest time to dress as a goalkeeper (football)’ and ‘Most football headed passes in one minute (team of two)’.
