In the chapters of soccer history, a group of elite players have had the honor and privilege of wearing the number 31 jersey. These outstanding athletes possess strong physical abilities, tactical intelligence, & unparalleled skills, which have earned them this respected title among their peers.
Here’s my list of the 10 soccer players who have worn the number 31 jersey:
- George Weah
- Bastian Schweinsteiger
- Malang Sarr
- Nemanja Matic
- Raheem Sterling
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
- Ederson
- Sead Kolašinac
- Robin Knoche
- Andy Lonergan
All of these players have contributed something special to the game, setting themselves apart with their unique talents & accomplishments. As such, they have become synonymous with the number 31 and have cemented their place in the history of soccer. Let me show you exactly why these players have made the list.
Table of Contents
- 1) George Weah
- 2) Bastian Schweinsteiger
- 3) Malang Sarr
- 4) Nemanja Matić
- 5) Raheem Sterling
- 6) Francisco Sierralta
- 7) Ederson
- 8) Sead Kolašinac
- 9) Robin Knoche
- 10) Andy Lonergan
1) George Weah
Have you ever met a ruling leader who’s also a world-class soccer player? Well, that’s exactly what you get with the Liberian legend George Weah. Today, he serves in office as the President of Liberia, but in his prime he was one of the most prolific strikers to ever lace up a pair of boots.
Widely regarded as one of Africa’s greatest ever players, Weah earned multiple awards, including the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1995 as well as the Ballon d’Or during the same year. In 1989, 1994 & 1995, he was also named the African Footballer of the Year, and in 1996, he was named African Player of the Century.
It was during his time with Premier League giants Chelsea FC that Weah wore the number 31 jersey, a testament to his remarkable impact on soccer. He may be running a country today, but his legacy as a soccer player will live forever.
2) Bastian Schweinsteiger
Allow me to introduce Bastian Schweinsteiger, the renowned German football icon who revolutionized the sport with his extraordinary talents. With sheer perseverance and determination, he climbed up Bayern Munich’s hierarchy (an impressive feat indeed!) before eventually earning a spot as one of history’s most celebrated midfield maestros.
His tactical awareness, creativity, and ability to tackle made him a boon to Bayern Munich. He helped the team win numerous trophies in both the Bundesliga & the Champions League. Schweinsteiger also played a crucial role in Germany’s victory at the 2014 World Cup, earning 121 caps for the national team.
One of my fondest moments of Schweinsteiger was watching him defend against Lionel Messi’s onslaught during the 2014 World Cup. After Philipp Lahm’s retirement, Schweinsteiger was appointed captain of the national team, a well-deserved recognition for his dedication to the sport.
Fun Fact: Schweinsteiger has played exactly 500 matches across all competitions in the Bundesliga & has completed 17 seasons with Bayern Munich!
3) Malang Sarr
Have you had the chance to watch Malang Sarr in action on the pitch? Let me tell you, this young defender is making a huge impact on the game.
Back in the 2020, Sarr made the bold move to join forces with Chelsea’s as part of its prestigious Premier League squad. Since then, he has shown his mettle on eight different occasions across various competitions, showcasing an unrelenting ability to deter strikers and turn the game into his favor. He also plays for the France U21 team, where he’s known for his rock-solid defending.
Sarr is a source of inspiration when wearing his number 31 jersey, as he strives to prove his worth and earn a permanent position on the team. His combination of natural talent and diligent work ethic is truly remarkable, and it seems likely that he will receive an invitation to represent the French national team in the near future.
4) Nemanja Matić
When it comes to the backline, Nemanja Matić has exhibited unrivaled consistency among soccer players for his defensive skills. With four years spent at Chelsea under his belt, he eventually made the move over to Manchester United in 2017 – a decision that ultimately solidified his position as one of the most prominent defensive midfielders across the globe.
Matić is a major asset for any team, offering his intelligence, range of passing and unflinching determination to help them win. As part of Chelsea, he won the Premier League (thrice), the FA Cup, & the EFL Cup.
The Serb wears the number 31 jersey with pride, a testament to his loyalty and passion for the beautiful game. Currently, he plays for Italian giants Roma where he’s reunited with his former manager (in both Chelsea & Manchester United), José Mourinho.
Did you know: Nemanja Matić has a tackle success rate of 75% in 123 Premier League appearances. This is higher than the rates of defensive legends like N’Golo Kante, Ander Herrera, Fernandinho, and Jordan Henderson!
5) Raheem Sterling
If a club like Manchester City paid a £49 million transfer fee (the highest transfer fee ever paid for an English player at the time) for a young player, there’s no doubt that he’s special. That’s precisely what happened when Manchester City bought Raheem Sterling from Liverpool in 2015.
Known for his rapid speed, unrivaled dribbling skills, and eye for goal, Sterling is one of the most exciting players to watch in the Premier League. He leaves defenders in the dust like it’s child’s play, and his goal scoring prowess is a delight to watch.
Manchester City owes much of its back-to-back Premier League titles during the 2017-18 & 2018-19 seasons to Raheem Sterling. His standout performance during the 2018-19 season earned him well-deserved recognition, including a coveted spot on the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, as well as the PFA Young Player of the Year & FWA Footballer of the Year awards.
6) Francisco Sierralta
Not the most well-known name on the list, but definitely worth mentioning. Francisco Sierralta is a rising star who currently plays for the EFL Championship club Watford. He’s a Chilean international and has been the mainstay in their backline since joining the club in 2019.
The 25-year-old defender has quickly become one of the key players in the side, playing with a maturity and assurance that far exceeds his age. He reads the game with ease and is a sure tackler, rarely making a mistake in the backline.
Although his only achievement to date is the Chilean Champion cup with CD Universidad Católica in 2016, it won’t be long before Sierralta is playing at the highest levels of European football (hopefully sporting the number 31 jersey more).
7) Ederson
I get it, reading about strikers all day can get old. So, let’s switch sides (pun intended) and talk about one of the best goalkeepers in the world – Ederson! This man is the starting goalkeeper for Manchester City and is regarded as one of the best shot-stoppers in world soccer.
Forgive me for being blunt, but there was a reason that Manchester City won back-to-back Premier League titles and their legendary treble-winning season in 2018/19 – Ederson. He’s a commanding goalkeeper, who is excellent at one-on-ones and can pull off some insane saves.
What’s more, he’s one of the few keepers who doesn’t wear the number 1 on his shirt, opting instead for the number 31. On the international stage, he’s represented Brazil in the 2018 & 2022 FIFA World Cup, as well as the 2019 & 2021 Copa América, and even won the 2019 tournament.
Here’s a highlight reel from the official Manchester City YouTube channel that showcases some of Ederson’s best saves from the 2021/22 season.
8) Sead Kolašinac
The third number 31 defender on this list is Sead Kolašinac. The Bosnian international defender currently plays for French Ligue 1 club Marseille, one of the biggest clubs in Europe. He’s a versatile player who can play both left back and centre back with ease – making him an invaluable asset to any team.
More than his club achievements, I’d like to talk about his international career. Kolašinac has represented Bosnia in 51 appearances, including their first major championship, the 2014 FIFA World Cup
He played for Arsenal during 2017 to 2022, and that’s when he wore the number 31 jersey, making a name for himself as an all-action full back. He’s an excellent crosser of the ball and loves to get forward and support his side’s attack – something he does often with Marseille too.
9) Robin Knoche
A rock in the heart of defence for Bundesliga club Union Berlin & Germany U21s, it’s only fair we mention Robin Knoche.
Trained under VfL Wolfsburg’s youth academy, Knoche made his debut for the senior team in 2011 and went on to establish himself as one of the most promising centre-backs in German football. In fact, he was part of the squad that won the 2015 DFB-Pokal Final against Borussia Dortmund and the 2015 DFL-Supercup against Bayern Munich.
It seems that clubs in higher divisions have been interested in his services during the past few seasons, and a move could be imminent. Keep an eye out for this number 31!
10) Andy Lonergan
I thought it apt to end this list with another goalkeeper (considering there are only a few who wear the number 31). And I can’t think of anyone better than Andy Lonergan.
The Englishman has had a nomadic career, playing for a total of 12 clubs and representing England at the U20, U21 & U23 level. He’s currently the first-choice keeper for Premier League club Everton and has even won Preston’s player of the year award in both the 2008/09 and 2009/10 seasons.
I genuinely hope he doesn’t change clubs any time soon, because it’s an absolute pleasure watching this man play for Everton in the number 31 jersey. A true master of his craft!
