Here are the best and most famous footballers wearing the number 22 shirt:
| Player | Club / Country | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Poop | AC Milan | midfielder |
| Dani Alves | Barcelona | Right wing back |
| Eric Abidal | Barcelona, Monaco, Olympiakos | Left back |
| Diego Milito | Real Zaragoza, Genoa, Inter Milan, Racing Club and Argentina | Striker |
| Angel Di Maria | Juventus, PSG, Argentina | Winger |
| John O’Shea | Manchester United | center back |
| Arturo Vidal | Barcelona, Inter Milan | midfielder |
| Gaelic Cliché | Arsenal, Manchester City, France | Left back |
| Simon Mignolet | Sunderland, Liverpool | Goalkeeper |
| Isco | Real Madrid, Malaga, Real Betis | midfielder |
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1. Poo
No player has made the number 22 jersey more popular than Kak. He is undoubtedly the greatest player in the history of football to wear this number.
The Brazilian playmaker became a star at AC Milan after joining the club from Sao Paulo in 2003. His best season was 2006/07, when he inspired Milan to Champions League glory and finished as top scorer.
This form also earned him the 2007 Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards. Kaka was equally important in helping Brazil win the 2002 FIFA World Cup and two Confederations Cups. He was one of the most complete attacking midfielders in football history.
2. Dani Alves
Dani Alves is one of the best and most decorated players to wear the number 22 shirt. One thing many fans remember him for is his offensive mindset.
He was an outstanding right-back with pace, creativity and energy. He made his name at Sevilla before joining Barcelona in 2008, where he became a big part of one of the greatest teams in football history.
Alves formed an excellent partnership with Lionel Messi on the right-hand side, winning multiple La Liga titles and Champions League trophies at the Camp Nou.
He later played for Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain to add more league and domestic trophies to his collection. Alves also won two Copa America titles, two Confederations Cups and an Olympic gold medal at the international level.
3. Eric Abidal
Eric Abidal is one of the famous defenders wearing the jersey number 22. The French left-back made this number famous during his successful spell with Barcelona under Pep Guardiola.
Abidal moved to “Barcelona” in 2007; he was strong in one-on-one situations, built on the ball and rarely panicked under pressure.
His defensive acumen allowed him to play at center back when needed. His time at Barcelona saw many major trophies, including multiple La Liga titles and Champions League success.
One of the most memorable moments of his career was in 2011 in the Champions League final against “Manchester United” when he returned from serious health problems to play the entire game and lift the trophy. Abidal then wore the number 22 shirt at Monaco and Olympiakos before retiring in 2014.
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4. Diego Milito
Diego Milito is one of the most famous players to wear the number 22 shirt in football history. The Argentinian forward wore it at Real Zaragoza, Genoa, Inter Milan and Racing Club, making this number famous during his time at Inter.
Milito was an intelligent striker with sharp movement, calm finishing and excellent positioning. He was never the brightest player on the pitch, but he always knew where the next chance would come from.
This was seen in the historic 2009/10 season of “Inter”. Milito scored 30 goals in all competitions as Inter won Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Champions League.
He scored two goals in a brilliant performance against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final. Later, he returned to Racing Club where he ended his career in 2016.
5. Angel Di Maria
Ángel Di María is one of the best players to wear the number 22 shirt. The Argentine winger wore it at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2014, winning La Liga and the 2014 Champions League. Later, in the 2022/23 season, he wore 22 uniforms again in “Juventus”.
Di Maria has a brilliant left foot and was instrumental in Real Madrid’s Champions League winning campaign, with a superb performance in the final against Atletico Madrid. His career also includes great success with PSG and Argentina, including the 2022 World Cup where he scored in the final.
6. John O’Shea
John O’Shea is one of the best players to wear the number 22 shirt in the Premier League. The Irishman made the number his own at Old Trafford, wearing it regularly from 2002 to 2011.
O’Shea was a versatile player. He could play at left-back, right-back, centre-back and midfield, and even acted as a striker and goalkeeper when United needed him.
United fans will never forget the moment he replaced Edwin van der Sar in goal against Tottenham. O’Shea won the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup several times with United.
He made over 390 appearances for the club and was instrumental in one of the greatest periods in Manchester United’s history.
7. Arturo Vidal
Vidal spent most of his career wearing the number 23, but wore the number 22 during his spells at Barcelona and Inter Milan. While playing for Barcelona, he helped the club win the 2018/19 La Liga title, while at Inter Milan he added another Serie A title and the Coppa Italia.
Vidal was a complete midfielder. He could win tackles, break up attacks, make late runs into the box and score crucial goals.
His trophy-laden career also includes four Serie A titles with Juventus, three Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich and two Copa America trophies with Chile.
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8. Gaelic Cliché
Gael Clichy is one of the famous footballers who wears jersey number 22 in the Premier League. He wore the jersey number 22 in “Arsenal” and “Manchester City”.
He joined Arsenal in 2003 and was part of the famous Invincibles team that went undefeated in the 2003/04 Premier League season.
After taking over from Ashley Cole, Clichy became a regular starter and earned a place in the PFA Team of the Year for the 2007/08 season.
In 2011, he moved to Manchester City and won two Premier League titles and two League Cups during his time at the Etihad, including a historic league triumph in 2011/12.
Clichy then continued his career in Turkey with Istanbul Basaksehir, helping them win the Turkish league in 2020. He also won 20 caps and played for France at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
9. Simon Mignolet
Simon Mignolet wore number 22 throughout his Premier League career. The Belgian goalkeeper made 22 appearances for Sint-Truiden and Sunderland before moving to Liverpool in 2013.
He also kept 22 when the number 1 shirt was available. Mignolet played more than 200 games in “Liverpool” and more than 100 in “Sunderland”.
He then moved to Club Brugge where he wore 88 and enjoyed a successful spell in Belgium. Mignolet has also won more than 30 caps for the Belgian national team and played in many major international tournaments.
10. Isco
Isco currently wears the number 22 shirt for Real Betis, having also played for Malaga, Real Madrid and Sevilla. He is one of the best players to wear the number 22 shirt in the Spanish top division.
At his best, Isco was a joy to watch; he could receive the ball under pressure, slip past defenders and create chances with either foot.
The Spanish midfielder has been an integral part of Madrid’s most successful periods. He won 19 major trophies, including five Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles. He also represented Spain at the 2018 World Cup and made 38 senior caps.