Whenever we talk about a certain jersey number in soccer, we think of iconic players who used to wear them. For example, many may think of David Beckham or Cristiano Ronaldo when it comes to number 7 or Michael Ballack for number 13.
However, what about 21? Are there any famous and legendary players that wear 21? Read on, as you will be in for a surprise.
Famous soccer players with the number 21 include:
- Andrea Pirlo
- David Silva
- Frankie De Jong
- Luis Enrique
- Nemanja Matic
- Paulo Dybala
- Phillip Lahm
- Zinedine Zidane
Table of Contents
Famous Soccer Players With The Number 21
Player name | Years Active | Country | Clubs | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Andrea Pirlo | 1995 – 2017 | Italy |
| Midfielder |
David Silva | 2003 – | Spain |
| Midfielder |
Diego Forlan | 1997 – 2018 | Uruguay |
| Forward |
Luis Enrique | 1988 – 2004 | Spain |
| Midfielder, Forward |
Paulo Dybala | 2011 – | Argentina |
| Forward, attacking midfielder |
Phillip Lahm | 2001 – 2017 | Germany |
| Full, wing back |
Zinedine Zidane | 1989 – 2006 | France |
| Attacking midfielder |
Andrea Pirlo
Easily one of the most iconic names to be linked to jersey number 21, Andrea Pirlo wore the number throughout his 20-season career.
Pirlo started playing in the Serie-A league with Brescia in 1995 as a 16-year-old youngster. His talent was spotted by Inter Milan’s coach at the time, Mircea Lucescu. He initially struggled to prove himself, which resulted in him being loaned back to Brescia.
It was in Brescia that he found his true abilities. Pirlo was asked to play as a defensive midfielder to leverage his long-passing ability. The central defensive midfielder is one of the hardest positions in soccer, but he excelled at it. He did so well that he earned a transfer to AC Milan.
Pirlo’s 10-year career with AC Milan was fruitful, where he lifted all the silverwares soccer players dream of. The Serie A, the UEFA Champions League, Coppa Italia, and more.
Pirlo is recognized for his great ability to lie deep in the midfield, picking up balls, and then making long passes that start off an attack. These passes were described as having a ‘surgical precision,’ parting the defense and opening up attacking opportunities. He is also a free-kick specialist.
Pirlo followed up his career with several more seasons with Juventus, and New York City FC, before retiring in 2017. He is commonly seen as one of the greatest defensive midfielders in the game’s history.
David Silva
Another iconic name people may think of the moment they think of is a number 21 jersey. David Silva also has the nickname ‘Merlin,’ which signals the magic he brings to the football field.
David Silva began his career in Valencia B in 2003 before earning a promotion to the full team. After years of sharpening his game with the best of La Liga, he is finally ready for big-time action.
He transferred to Manchester City in 2010 and began his 10-year, trophy-laden career.
Silva was easily one of the most dangerous midfielders throughout his time at Manchester City. A great dribbler, Silva is also a left-foot player. This means his runs, kicks, and shots are harder to guess and time.
His ability to make plays and score goals resulted in him winning many silverwares on the club and national levels. He has won multiple Premier League titles with Manchester City and the World Cup and European Championship with the Spanish national team.
Diego Forlan
Diego Forlan may be an interesting addition to this list. He may be remembered by football fans for good or bad reasons.
Manchester United fans may never forgive him for missing his open goal shot against Juventus. However, Villareal and Atletico Madrid fans would love him for all the goals he scored for them.
Playing as a main striker. Forlan is known for his ability to constantly find space. He excels at lurking behind defenders to pick up passes and crosses from his team members. He is also known for his ability to hit powerful, long-range shots to score goals.
As a result, Forlan was a goal-scoring machine. He netted 222 goals over his 21-year career. With Uruguay, he played 112 times, scoring 36 goals.
Luis Enrique
Luis Enrique started in Sporting Gijon, where he earned the nickname ‘Lucho.’ He then spent five years playing for Real Madrid. He played well, scoring goals and winning games.
However, unhappy with being underappreciated in Real Madrid, he decided to transfer to, of all clubs… FC Barcelona.
Even Barcelona’s fans were unsure how to process his arrival. However, he eventually won the fans by playing for the Cules for 8 seasons. He also became the team captain and scored goals for Barcelona against his old club.
Luis Enrique eventually retired after seeing out his contract with Barcelona. Instead, he moved into coaching. He now coaches the Spanish national team.
As a player, Luis Enrique was recognized for his versatility, consistency, and ability to create a play in the tightest spaces. He had the speed to run and play on the edges of the pitch as a winger.
Paulo Dybala
Paulo Dybala may also be a player associated with the number 21, having worn the same number most of his career. He wears the number for the Argentinian national team and his club Juventus and AS Roma.
Dybala started in Instituto, Argentina, second division. He proved too good for the league, scoring 17 goals over 40 matches. He earned the nickname ‘La Joya,’ meaning The Jewel there.
He was brought to Palermo to try his luck in Italian Serie A. However, it was during his time at his next club Juventus that proved fruitful.
He was given the heavy responsibility of inheriting the number 21 jersey from Andrea Pirlo, and he carried it well. Over 7 seasons in Juventus, he scored a total of 82 goals.
As a forward, Dybala is known for his amazing dribbling ability, which he uses to beat defenders one-on-one. He also excels in counter-attacking situations and can unleash powerful shots from long distances.
The 2020 World Cup winner, Dybala is expected to continue scoring goals with the Argentinian national team after the retirement of Lionel Messi.
Phillip Lahm
When the name Phillip Lahm is mentioned, many immediately think of the number 21. Lahm is easily seen as one of the best wing-backs that have ever played the game.
Pep Guardiola has mentioned Lahm’s exceptional flexibility, versatility, and football intelligence. He is known for his overlapping runs from the back of the field, inspiring his team members to charge ahead and attack.
Lahm started and ended his career with Bayern Munich, something almost unheard of today. Over his 17-year career with Bayern Munich, he won all the German domestic titles.
The best moment came during the 2013-14 season when he captained Bayern to a treble, the Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League, and the German League Cup. As a player for the national team, Lahm also won the World Cup in 2014.
Zinedine Zidane
People in their 30s and 40s may instantly think of Zidane when the number 21 is mentioned. This is because he was so dominating in the 90s and 2000s.
Zidane runs, dribbles, and passes with the grace and agility of a ballerina. Yet he has the body of an NFL linebacker. He is known for his amazing dribbling skills, ability to surgically cut open defense lines with his passes, and, yes, powerful kicks.
He may be most remembered for his goals for France during the 1998 World Cup final against Brazil and his volley against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 UEFA Champions League final.
Over his 17-year career, Zidane played with Cannes, Bordeaux, Juventus, and Real Madrid. After retirement, he took managerial roles and managed the Real Madrid senior team.
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