The number 30 jersey is one that many soccer players have worn, with varying levels of success. From superb strikers to crafty midfielders and defensive stalwarts, this number has been worn by some of the greatest players to ever grace a soccer field. In fact, some of them might even surprise you!
Here’s my list of the 10 soccer players who have worn the number 30 jersey:
- Lionel Messi
- Thiago Alcantara
- David Luiz
- Luca Toni
- Nicolas Otamendi
- Aritz Aduriz
- Gavi
- Eddie Nketiah
- Junior Messias
- Mohamed Daramy
These players have all had greatly successful careers, winning awards and trophies on the biggest stages of world soccer. They’ve each brought their own unique style of play to the game, making them all stand out from the rest. Let’s take a look at why each of these players have become so closely associated with the number 30 jersey.
Table of Contents
- 1) Lionel Messi
- 2) Thiago Alcantara
- 3) David Luiz
- 4) Luca Toni
- 5) Nicolas Otamendi
- 6) Aritz Aduriz
- 7) Gavi
- 8) Eddie Nketiah
- 9) Junior Messias
- 10) Mohamed Daramy
1) Lionel Messi
Long-time fans of Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi would have been quite surprised watching their idol play in the number 30 jersey, when he made the move to PSG. Why would someone who immortalized the number 10, swap it out for a seemingly random number like 30?
It all goes back to Messi’s days as a young prodigy at Barcelona in 2004. The La Liga giants were facing off against Espanyol in a derby match, and a substitution was needed for Deco at the 82nd minute. In walks 17-year-old Lionel Messi in the number 30 jersey, and history was made.
Messi wore the number 30 jersey for two seasons, before transitioning to 19, and then to the iconic no. 10 after Ronaldinho’s departure in 2008. Today, he’s widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time, and he still carries that legacy of the number 30 with Paris-Saint Germain.
2) Thiago Alcantara
Thiago Alcantara’s versatility and exceptional talent have earned him a place in the history books of La Liga, Bundesliga, & the Premier League. In each one of these leagues, the Spanish international has dominated the competition and proven himself as one of the greatest midfielders in the history of soccer.
I’ve not seen a player who can pass, dribble, & shoot with such accuracy and flair as Thiago. His ability to play different positions, and his excellent tactical awareness, make him an invaluable asset for any team.
Thiago played a pivotal role in Bayern Munich’s triumphant 2019-20 season, winning the treble and securing the Bundesliga title an unprecedented seven times in a row. Without a doubt, Thiago has worn the number 30 jersey with the utmost pride and honor.
3) David Luiz
Oh, let me tell you about David Luiz! This Brazilian soccer player isn’t just one of the best defenders in the world, he’s also one of the most recognizable. I mean, who could forget that wild curly hair and infectious smile he brings to every game?
As a defender, he’s got it all. He’s played in the English Premier League, La Liga, & Serie A, and he can contribute both offensively and defensively. I’ve seen him play for Chelsea & Paris Saint Germain, and let me tell you, he’s a force to be reckoned with on the pitch.
David Luiz has donned the number 30 jersey for three seasons with Chelsea (2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19), even helping them win the FA Cup in 2017. Overall, he’s been a great player to watch throughout his career, and an even better person off the pitch.
4) Luca Toni
I remember hearing the word soccer nomad a while back and thinking, “That’s Luca Toni!” Imagine playing for 12 different teams throughout your professional career! Series A, La Liga, Bundesliga – you name it, he’s played there (and dominated, I might add).
The Italian striker has this uncanny ability to score goals, no matter what team he’s playing for. Believe it or not, Toni has the stats to back it up. He’s set numerous goal-scoring records in Serie A and has been the top scorer in both the 2007-08 Bundesliga & the 2007-08 UEFA Cup. With 322 career goals, he’s also currently the fourth-highest scoring Italian player in history.
Don’t just take my word for it, check out this highlight reel of his top 5 goals. You’ll see for yourself just how dangerous a striker Luca Toni truly is.
5) Nicolas Otamendi
If you’ve followed the World Cup 2022 matches of Argentina, there’s one man you’d have noticed in every second of every game: Nicolas Otamendi. This Argentine defender has been a rock-solid presence in the backline of the Argentinian national team and his several club teams throughout Europe.
Although he currently plays for Primeira Liga club Benfica, I remember him fondly for his time in Manchester City during 2015 to 2020. With the number 30 jersey on his back, he won the Premier League in 2017–18 & 2018–19, as well as four League Cups & an FA Cup.
6) Aritz Aduriz
Not many would have heard of Basque Country native Aritz Aduriz but if you watched him play in the Spanish La Liga, you’d know that he’s someone special. He’s a man who could score goals with both his feet, his head, and even from the penalty spot.
With 640 appearances & 221 goals in the La Liga, Aduriz is one of the most prolific strikers for Athletic Bilbao in the 21st century. He wore the number 30 jersey for his debut season with the club in 2002-03 and went on to have a long successful career with them.
Apart from his club success, Aduriz is also the highest goal scorer for the Basque national team with 12 goals in 13 appearances. Now that’s impressive!
7) Gavi
18-year-old Gavi is one of the most promising youngsters in Spanish soccer right now. He plays for La Liga behemoths Barcelona and is making a real name for himself with his impressive performances.
A central midfielder, Gavi is known for his positional awareness and ability to win the ball back. He’s been compared to former Barcelona legends Xavi and Andre Iniesta and is held in high regard by the Catalan club’s coaching staff.
I would also like to point out this boy’s international performances with the Spain national team. In 2022, he won the Golden Boy award and received the Kopa Trophy, awarded by FIFA during the 2022 Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Fun Fact: Gavi signed up for Barcelona in 2015, when he was just 11 years old! After the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Gavi is now the third youngest player (only behind Pelé & Manuel Rosas) to score in a World Cup match.
8) Eddie Nketiah
Let me introduce you to Eddie Nketiah, the young Arsenal sensation who has been making waves in soccer for the past four years. His journey began at the Arsenal Academy, and I have been a keen follower of his career since his youth level days, eagerly anticipating his promotion to the first team. And boy, did he deliver!
At just 23 years old, Nketiah’s a natural-born goal-scorer, with an uncanny ability to find the right position and the poise to convert his chances. He’s worn the number 30 jersey with Arsenal for several seasons.
Other clubs have also taken notice of his talents, and in 2019, Arsenal loaned him out to Leeds United. He played a vital role in their title-winning season in the 2019-20 Championship, demonstrating his skills as a prolific striker. With 17 goals in 99 club-level appearances, Nketiah has already made a name for himself, and I am excited to see what the future holds for this young star.
9) Junior Messias
Perhaps not the most widely known player, Junior Messias is a Brazilian striker who currently plays for Serie A club AC Milan. Starting his career from the lowest-tier Serie D side Casale in 2015, Junior worked his way up the ladder and today, he is a promising player in one of the best leagues in Europe.
With The Rossoneri (“Red & Blacks”), he wears the number 30 jersey and has scored 9 goals so far. He was a key player in Milan’s Scudetto title campaign in the 2021-22 season, which they won after 11 long years. I have no doubts that he’ll keep the legacy of the number 30 shirt alive!
10) Mohamed Daramy
Last but certainly not least, we have Mohammed Daramy. The 21-year-old Danish soccer player currently plays for FC Copenhagen on loan from AFC Ajax and is a rising star in Europe.
Daramy’s career began with FC Copenhagen itself in 2018, and after three seasons in the Danish leagues, he was signed by Ajax for a substantial fee of €12 million! He wore the number 30 jersey for Ajax’s Eredivisie team, making 12 appearances and scoring 1 goal.
Daramy also got the opportunity to represent his country in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match when Denmark pitted against Scotland. I’ll urge you to follow this boy’s career – I’m sure he has the potential to be the next big thing in soccer!
