The number 22 jersey has been worn by skilled professional football players across various leagues. These players include notable figures like Kaká and Eric Abidal.
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Players That Wear The Number 22 Jersey
- Kaká
- Eric Abidal
- Isco
- Raphinha
- Antonio Rüdiger
- Giovanni Di Lorenzo
- Calvin Ramsay
- Nick Pope
- Ben Godfrey
- Pablo Marí
1. Kaká (AC Milan)
Kaká, the iconic Brazilian footballer made an enduring Impression during his tenure with AC Milan wearing the number 22 jersey.
He joined AC Milan in 2003 for a reported €8.5 million, and he became a key figure in the squad, securing the Serie A title and the UEFA Super Cup in his debut season.
In the 2004–05 season, Kaká formed a formidable midfield unit and contributed to Milan’s Supercoppa Italiana victory.
Despite a heartbreaking loss in the Champions League final against Liverpool in 2005, Kaká’s brilliance was recognized as Serie A Footballer of the Year.
The 2005–06 season witnessed Kaká’s first hat-tricks. Regardless of Milan’s Champions League semi-final exit, Kaká’s great performances gained him nominations for the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year.
The 2006–07 season was a great season for the team as Milan won the Champions League title, with Kaká orchestrating plays that led to victory.
Awards followed, including UEFA Club Footballer of the Year and the prestigious Ballon d’Or in 2007. Even In the 2007–08 season, he won the FIFA Club World Cup and secured his second Ballon d’Or.
2. Eric Abidal (Barcelona)
Eric Abidal is a former professional football player with the number 22 jersey at Barcelona football club. In June 2007, he joined Barcelona with a €9 million contract, taking the number 22 as his Lyon number was occupied.
His contract included a €90 million release clause and a bonus for Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League triumph. Abidal’s La Liga debut in 2007 began the beginning of an important part of the team’s defensive lineup.
Despite missing the 2009 Champions League Final due to suspension, he played a crucial part in Barcelona’s historic treble win that season.
The 2009–10 season saw Abidal’s continued dominance under coach Pep Guardiola. Off the pitch, Abidal faced a formidable opponent: a liver tumor diagnosed in March 2011.
The football community rallied behind him, showing support with messages and gestures. In the Champions League Final against Manchester United in May 2011, Abidal played the full 90 minutes, lifting the trophy which is a symbolic triumph over his health battles. However, the fight wasn’t over. In 2012, Abidal underwent a liver transplant, and he returned to training in 2013.
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3. Isco (Real Madrid, Sevilla, Real Betis Balompié)
Isco is a professional soccer player with the number 22 jersey, and he’s currently playing for Real Betis Balompié. In 2013, amidst offers from Real Madrid and Manchester City, Isco chose the former, becoming Carlo Ancelotti’s first signing for a reported €30 million.
His debut in 2013 showed his brilliance after he contributed an assist and the winning goal against Real Betis. Despite occasional challenges adapting to the 4–3–3 formation, Isco’s skill and versatility shone through.
He had a shirt number changed during the 2015–16 season, switching from 23 to 22. This was a change that accompanied impressive performances, including a key role in winning the UEFA Champions League against Atlético Madrid.
Isco also contributes to Real Madrid’s La Liga triumph in the 2016–17 season and the subsequent UEFA Champions League victory against Juventus in Cardiff.
However, one of his best moments was in the 2017 UEFA Super Cup, where he scored a goal to secure a 2–1 victory against Manchester United.
After signing a contract extension in 2017, Isco remained an important figure in Real Madrid’s historic third consecutive Champions League title in 2018.
By the 2021–22 season, he found himself less involved under Carlo Ancelotti which led to his departure after nine years.
The following journey saw Isco briefly with Sevilla, but a short-lived tenure led to the termination of his contract in December 2022. In January 2023, a potential move to Union Berlin collapsed due to contract disputes.
Ultimately, Isco found a new home with Real Betis in July 2023, and this move marked his return to La Liga with a contract extension until June 2027.
4. Raphinha (Barcelona)
Raphinha is a professional soccer players who wear the number 22 jersey for Barcelona football club. He is a fantastic Brazilian winger, and he’s become a standout player for the club.
We saw how great Raphinha’s prowess was when he joined Leeds United in the English Premier League. However, In a noteworthy move, Barcelona secured his services in a reported £50 million deal.
He made his debut at the club in October 2021, and Raphinha wasted no time making an impact. Even on the International level, Raphinha notched his first two international goals In a memorable match against Uruguay.
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5. Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid)
Antonio Rüdiger is one of the best soccer players with the number 22 jersey. In a strategic move, Real Madrid announced Rüdiger’s signing as a free agent on June 2, 2022, securing the German player on a four-year deal commencing from the 2022–23 season.
The official unveiling of Rüdiger as a Real Madrid player took place on June 20, and he sported the number 22 shirt. Making a noteworthy debut on August 10, Rüdiger entered the field as a substitute in a commendable 2–0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt during the UEFA Super Cup.
And his first goal for Real Madrid came on September 11, 2022, with the goal sealing a 4–1 triumph over Mallorca. On October 11 in a Champions League group stage clash against Shakhtar Donetsk, he scored a crucial header in the 95th minute to secure a 1–1 draw and move Real Madrid into the knockout phase.
The victory, though, came at a cost, as Rüdiger sustained a facial cut requiring 20 stitches after colliding with Shakhtar goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin during the header.
6. Giovanni Di Lorenzo (SSC Napoli)
Giovanni Di Lorenzo is a skilled right-back and he’s been Impressive for SSC Napoli since joining in June 2019 for €8 million.
In his debut year, he secured a spot as a first-team starter, and he contributed to Napoli’s seventh-place finish in Serie A.
A notable achievement was in the Coppa Italia Final, where Di Lorenzo played an integral role in securing a victory against Juventus.
Additionally, Napoli reached the Round of 16 in the Champions League, with Di Lorenzo providing two assists. During his second year, Di Lorenzo was instrumental in guiding Napoli to the Round of 32 in the Europa League.
Although they faced a setback against Granada, losing 3–2 on aggregate, Di Lorenzo’s great performances helped Napoli finish fifth in the league. His goal-scoring skills have seen him netting seven goals for Napoli in both league and domestic cup competitions.
Amidst transfer speculations in July 2020, with Manchester United showing interest, Di Lorenzo opted to extend his stay at Napoli, signing a 5-year deal until 2026. On July 14, 2022, he was appointed as Napoli’s new club captain, succeeding Lorenzo Insigne and Kalidou Koulibaly.
7. Calvin Ramsay (Liverpool)
Calvin Ramsay is a rising talent with the number 22 jersey. He was fantastic when he joined Liverpool in June 2022, after making a move from Aberdeen.
The young defender penned a five-year contract for a notable initial fee of £4.2 million. This deal became a new club record for Aberdeen’s highest sale.
In November 2022, Ramsay made his Liverpool debut as a late substitute in the 2-0 triumph against Napoli in the UEFA Champions League.
His first start came shortly after, showing his skills in a victorious game against Derby County in the EFL Cup. However, the promising start faced a setback in February 2023.
Having only made two appearances for Liverpool, Ramsay underwent surgery due to an unspecified injury, ruling him out for the remainder of the 2022–23 season.
The 2023–24 season saw Ramsay seeking playing time through loans. Initially sent to Preston North End in June 2023, his opportunities were limited.
Liverpool decided to recall him in January 2024 after just two appearances with Preston. Subsequently, Ramsay embarked on a new loan, joining EFL League One side Bolton Wanderers, following the footsteps of Liverpool teammates Conor Bradley and Owen Beck.
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8. Nick Pope (Newcastle United)
I think Nick Pope has been an Incredible goalkeeper for Newcastle United. He made headlines when he signed a four-year deal with the Premier League club on June 23, 2022, for a reported £10 million.
The 2022–23 season kicked off on a positive note for Pope, as he kept a clean sheet in Newcastle’s 2–0 victory against Nottingham Forest on the opening day.
Pope got a red card for handling the ball outside his penalty area in a 2–0 defeat to Liverpool on February 18, 2023. This meant Newcastle faced the EFL Cup final against Manchester United without their first and second-choice goalkeepers.
The cup-tied Martin Dúbravka left the team in a tight spot, and third-choice Loris Karius stepped in for the final, which ended in a 2–0 loss for Newcastle.
Regardless of these setbacks, Pope showed resilience in the race for the Golden Glove, with six consecutive matches without conceding a goal.
However, his lead was eventually surpassed by David de Gea of Manchester United. It later came to light that Pope had been playing with an injured finger, prompting minor surgery after Newcastle’s goalless draw with Leicester City.
Despite the injury, Pope played an important part in securing Newcastle’s return to the UEFA Champions League after a two-decade hiatus.
Unfortunately, Pope faced another hurdle on December 6, 2023, as the club announced he would be sidelined for approximately four months due to a shoulder injury sustained in a match against Manchester United.
9. Ben Godfrey (Everton)
Ben Godfrey is one of the most famous football players In the Premier League who wears the number 22 jersey. The defensive powerhouse made waves when he joined Premier League side Everton on October 5, 2020.
Securing a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee, later revealed to be around £20 million initially and potentially rising to £25 million with add-ons.
He made his debut in a high-stakes Merseyside derby against Liverpool on October 17, 2020, as a 31st-minute substitute after Séamus Coleman’s injury.
Despite the pressure, he impressed observers like Adam Jones of the Liverpool Echo, who noted Godfrey’s composure in facing the challenge.
However, Godfrey’s first season with Everton brought well-deserved recognition, as he was voted the club’s Young Player of the Season by the fans. This accolade speaks volumes about his impact and the regard in which he is held by the Everton faithful.
10. Pablo Marí (AC Monza)
Pablo Marí is a professional soccer player with the number 22 jersey, having roots with Mallorca’s youth academy. Marí’s football journey has moved across the Netherlands, Brazil, England, and Italy.
Notably, Marí achieved significant success with Flamengo in 2019 when he secured both the Copa Libertadores and Série A titles.
His contributions earned him a place in the Série A Team of the Year. Marí’s journey took another turn when Monza signed him on a permanent deal on May 4, 2023.
Monza’s move to secure Marí became permanent after activating his release clause. The defender’s experience and winning mentality, ground through years of diverse football exposure make him a valuable asset for Monza’s ambitions.
Pataka is a consistent and avid follower of the round leather game. He communicates his passion by editing soccer posts for various soccer platforms.