The Best Number 22 Football Players in the World (2022 Update)

Number 22 football players: The kit number 22 in soccer is not a number you associate with gifted soccer players. A few players, however, have bucked that trend, showing just how capable they are even when wearing this jersey number. Below is the list of some famous players who have won the 22 jerseys.

Kwadwo Asamoah – Juventus

Kwadwo Asamoah is a Ghanaian professional soccer player. He mainly plays as a left midfielder or left-back but has occasionally been deployed as a central defender. Kwadwo was born on 9th December 1988, in Accra, Ghana.

He began his career with the Italian club Udinese in 2008. At Udinese, he displayed consistent and marvelous performances earning him a transfer to Juventus in 2012.

His energy, versatility, and technical skills played a crucial role in helping his club, Juventus, win six consecutive Serie A titles between 2013 and 2018. He later joined Inter Milan in 2018.

Kwadwo wore the number 22 during his time at Inter Milan.

He had his debut for the Ghanaian national team, Black Stars, on the international level in 2008. In addition, he represented Ghana in the African Cup of Nations four times and the FIFA World Cup twice.

The 32-year-old won many trophies during his time with the Old Lady. These include 6 consecutive Italian Serie A titles and 4 consecutive Coppa Italia Trophies. Individually he was named into the Serie A team of the year for the 2013-2014 season. His style of play is dynamic. He is among the few players who outdo themselves in the field. He is dynamic, hardworking, energetic, versatile, intelligent, and tactical.

Asamoah is primarily known for his strength, stamina, and ability to read the game. A predominantly left-footed player makes him defend and pass the ball very swiftly.

Additionally, his agility and great vision make him initiate attack runs. And he gets good offensive positions to create chances for teammates to score or pave the way for through balls.

Kaka – AC Milan

Ricardo Izecson dos Santos, commonly known as Kaka, is a former professional Brazilian soccer player who played as an attacking midfielder.

In his prime, he played as a playmaker for AC Milan. It is a period where he made a name for himself through his creative passing, goal-scoring, and dribbling from midfield. It made him among the iconic soccer players of his time. He donned the number 22 jersey as he played for AC Milan.

In 2003, he joined a Serie A club – AC Milan, where he helped AC Milan win Serie A in his first season. Kaka is one of the famous number 22 football players in the soccer world.

He was also recognized as the UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year. He led AC Milan to victory in the 2006-07 UEFA Championship League. Additionally, he won the FIFA World Player of the Year

The 2007 Ballon d’Or, and the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year as testaments to his incredible performance. In 2010, he played for his national team, Brazil, in the FIFA World Cup.

In addition to his winnings, between 2006 and 2009, he was named in both FIFA World XI and UEFA Team of the Year. He was inducted into the AC Milan Hall of Fame in 2010.

Alexi Lalas – United States National Team

The former American international wore the number 22 during most of his career in the 1990s. Lalas was a huge uncompromising presence in defense who played for various clubs during his career.

He was in the United States squad that played on home soil in USA 1994. Lalas is also one of the best number 22 football players in the world.

Éric Abidal – FC Barcelona

Eric Sylvain Abidal was born on 11th September 1979 in Saint-Genis-Laval, France. He is a former French soccer player who played as a left-back or center-back.

He started playing with AS Lyon Duchere, an amateur team. Then he progressed to play professionally for AS Monaco FC, where he made his League 1 debut in 2000 in a 3-0 home win against Toulouse FC.

On 29th June 2009, Abidal signed a four-year contract with FC Barcelona, where he was given the number 22 jersey. With Barcelona, he won the La Liga seasons 2008-09, 2009-10, 2006-2010-11, and 2012-13.

He also won the Copa Del Rey in 2008-09, 2011-12, the Super Copa de Espana and the UEFA Championship 2008-09, 2010-11, and the UEFA Super Cup in 2009 2011. And he won two FIFA Club World Cups, in 2009 and 2011.

After retiring, he returned to Barcelona in June 2018 as the club’s Director of Soccer. However, he didn’t stay long. He was sacked on 18th August 2020 after an 8-2 defeat against FC Bayern Munich in the Championship League Quarter-Finals.

Abidal was tactically intelligent and a versatile defender capable of featuring as a center or left-back. Because he could read the game and position himself intelligently.

In addition, in his prime career, he was quick and strong in his prime career. It allows him to run up the wing and assist his team offensively and defensively.

Willian Borges da Silva – Chelsea

The Brazilian winger simply known as Willian wore the number 22 when he played for London side Chelsea FC. The 33-year-old was known for his mazy runs and great ball control during his time at Stamford Bridge.

The Brazil international won many titles with the Blues, including 2 English Premier League titles, 1 FA Cup, and a Europa League trophy. He was named the Chelsea player of the year for the 2015-2016 season.

Paul Scholes – Manchester United

Paul Scholes is an English soccer coach, a former professional player, and currently a co-owner of Salford City. He spent his whole professional career at the Premier League club, Manchester United. At there, he scored over 150 goals in 718 appearances. He is the third-highest in club appearances in the two decades between 1993 and 2013.

He is considered among the best midfielders of his generation. And he is one of the best and most iconic players of Manchester United. He mostly rocked the number 22 jersey throughout his career. And when he took over the number 18 jersey, he played for a short while and then reclaimed his number.

From 1997-2004, he represented the England National Team, playing 66 times and participating in the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups. He also played in the UEFA Euro 2000 and Euro 2004 tournaments. Scholes was additionally named in the Premier League 10 Seasons Awards (1992 -93 to 2001-02) Domestic.

In 2008, Scholes was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame. He is defined as the complete midfielder, undoubtedly the greatest of his generation, making him in his own class.

Isco – Real Madrid

The Real Madrid attacking midfielder has been a mainstay at the Bernabeu since he made his debut in 2013. The 29-year-old wears the number 22 jersey when on the pitch for Los Blancos. During his stint at the club, the Spanish international has been able to win many trophies along the way.

This includes 2 La Liga titles, 1 Copa Del Rey, 4 UEFA Champions League trophies, as well as 4 FIFA World Club Cup titles. Individually, he was named into the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season for the 2016-2017 campaign.

Sum Up

Some number 22 football players have proven their spectacular skills and abilities. Therefore, it is one of the most respectable numbers due to the legacies established by these players.

What do you think about the players who have made themselves a name in the soccer arena while donning the number 22 shirt?

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