Number 5 is one of the most significant numbers in the sport of football, often worn by football legends excelling in both defensive and midfield positions. This number is most commonly used to represent a center-back, who typically collaborates with the number 4 player in the center of a team’s defensive line. While you may be familiar with some historical players who have worn this number in the past, you might know less about some current players donning it. Let’s explore 10 of the most famous soccer players with the number 5 today, with the help of bestsoccertips!
10 Footballers Wearing the Number 5 Jersey
In this article by fcscout.com, we’ll go through 10 footballers wearing the number 5 jersey and discover what makes them some of the best players in this sport.
1. Sergio Busquets
First on the list is Sergio Busquets. What’s truly impressive about Busquets is his excellent ability to read the game and disrupt the opponent’s play. He might not be the flashiest player, but he has an incredibly high football IQ. Additionally, his passing skills are top-notch. He’s one of those players who knows where to be and when to be there.
Busquets also has a fairly successful international career. He has been playing for the Spanish national team since 2009 and has been a crucial part of their success, including winning the FIFA World Cup 2010 and the UEFA European Championship 2012. Not too shabby, right?
Seriously though, if you haven’t watched Sergio Busquets play, you need to. I know he’s not the most talked-about player, but he’s definitely one of the unsung heroes on the field. Trust me, once you start following him, you’ll understand why he’s such an integral part of both FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team.
2. Zinedine Zidane
Do you remember Zinedine Zidane? Though retired for quite some time, he’s still considered one of the greatest footballers of all time. He was a maestro in the midfield! He played for some big clubs like Juventus and Real Madrid, and he was an absolute beast on the field.
Zidane had a crazy ball control ability and could create goal-scoring opportunities out of nothing. I mean, he could glide past defenders as if they were standing still. And his vision and passing skills? Unreal! He won numerous awards, including FIFA World Player of the Year three times and a Ballon d’Or. Talk about legendary status!
However, Zidane’s international career with the French national team was also remarkable. He was a crucial part of their FIFA World Cup 1998-winning squad and led them to victory in the UEFA European Championship in 2000. But who can forget that infamous headbutt in the 2006 FIFA World Cup final? That was his final match as a player, and it certainly was a controversial way to bow out.
After retiring, Zidane didn’t stay away from football for long. He became a coach and had an incredible stint as the head coach of Real Madrid, winning three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles. I mean, the guy is a living legend. If you haven’t watched Zidane’s highlights, do yourself a favor and watch some.
3. Carlos Puyol
Carlos Puyol is like the ultimate warrior on the football field! He used to play as a center-back and was the captain of FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team. With his tousled hair, he truly stood out on the pitch.
Puyol had an incredible fighting spirit and never backed down from a challenge. He was extremely explosive on the field, but he also had a fair play mentality. Additionally, he was a great leader, always motivating his teammates. It’s no wonder he, along with Barça, achieved so many titles, including 6 La Liga championships and 3 UEFA Champions League titles.
And let’s not forget his contributions to the Spanish national team. He was an instrumental player in helping Spain win the FIFA World Cup 2010 and the UEFA European Championship 2008. Trust me, if you watch some of his old matches, you’ll understand why Carlos Puyol is considered one of the greatest defenders in football history.
4. Fabio Cannavaro
Fabio Cannavaro was a fantastic defender back in his playing days. He was a center-back and captained both the Italian national team and some of the world’s biggest clubs like Inter Milan, Juventus, and Real Madrid. His nickname was “Il Muro,” which means “The Wall” in Italian, and it perfectly suited him.
Cannavaro was renowned for his incredible tackling skills and game-reading ability. Despite not being the tallest defender around, he had great leaps and was exceptionally strong in aerial battles. It’s no surprise he won numerous titles throughout his career, including two La Liga titles with Real Madrid and a Serie A title with Juventus.
But do you know what’s truly remarkable about Cannavaro? He’s one of the few defenders to have won the Ballon d’Or! He clinched this prestigious award in 2006 after leading Italy to FIFA World Cup glory. That’s a massive achievement for any player, especially a defender. If you want to see some top-notch defensive skills, you definitely should watch some highlights of Fabio Cannavaro. He was a rock at the back!
5. Jorginho
Jorginho is an Italian-born Brazilian lad, a super-skilled midfielder. He has an astonishing ability to control the pace of the game and his passing skills are insane. Seriously, he can thread a pass through the eye of a needle!
So, Jorginho joined Chelsea in 2018, where he wears the number 5 jersey and has won some major titles with them, such as the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Super Cup. But you know what’s even more impressive? He played a crucial role in Italy’s UEFA European Championship victory in 2021. He’s a true winner on the field.
I think one of the most intriguing things about Jorginho is his unique penalty-taking technique. He performs a quirky little hop just before striking the ball. Goalkeepers find it extremely difficult to predict where he’ll shoot, and it’s really fascinating to watch! If you haven’t seen Jorginho play, I highly recommend you check him out.
6. Franz Beckenbauer
Franz Beckenbauer – I know he predates our time by quite a bit, but this German legend is considered one of the greatest footballers in history. He was a sweeper, a defensive position you don’t really see anymore. Beckenbauer was so good at it that he was nicknamed “Der Kaiser,” which means “The Emperor” in German.
Beckenbauer spent most of his playing career at Bayern Munich, where he won numerous titles, including 4 Bundesliga championships and 3 European Cups. Additionally, he was a key figure for the West German national team, winning the FIFA World Cup in 1974 and the UEFA European Championship in 1972.
But wait, there’s more! After hanging up his boots, Beckenbauer became a successful coach, even leading West Germany to another World Cup triumph in 1990. That made him one of the few to win the World Cup both as a player and as a coach! If you want to learn about one of the true legends of this sport, you should definitely look up some highlights of Franz Beckenbauer.
7. Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand was one of the top center-backs of his time! He played for Manchester United for about a decade and was an absolute stalwart in defense. Additionally, he had a super cool, calm, and composed playing style that made him stand out among other defenders.
During his time at Man Utd, Ferdinand racked up a bunch of titles, including 6 Premier League championships and 1 UEFA Champions League title. And did you know he also captained the England national team for a while? Yep, he earned over 80 caps for the national team and played in 3 FIFA World Cups. Not too shabby, right?
After retiring, Ferdinand didn’t stay away from football for long. Now he’s a well-known football pundit and analyst on TV. I enjoy watching him break down games and offer his insightful analysis. He has a great personality, and you can tell he knows his stuff. If you haven’t watched Rio Ferdinand play, you should definitely look up some of his matches.
8. Rodrigo De Paul
Rodrigo De Paul is an Argentine midfielder who is making serious waves in European football. After success at Udinese in Italy, he signed with Atlético Madrid in 2021 and has been showcasing his skills in La Liga since then.
De Paul is super versatile and can play as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder, or even on the wings. He has excellent vision, dribbling skills, and can score some beautiful goals. It’s no surprise he’s attracted a lot of attention from football fans worldwide.
Oh, and did I mention De Paul played a crucial role in Argentina’s Copa America 2021 victory? That’s right, he helped bring the trophy home to Argentina after a 28-year drought, and he even provided the assist for the winning goal in the final! Not to mention, he also helped Argentina win the World Cup 2022. If you haven’t watched Rodrigo De Paul in action, you definitely should. He’s a highly entertaining player to watch!
9. Marquinhos
Marquinhos is one of the best defenders in the world right now, and he’s playing for Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazilian national team. Marquinhos is a center-back, but he also plays as a right-back and defensive midfielder. The guy is insanely versatile!
He’s been at PSG since 2013 and has won numerous titles with the club, including multiple Ligue 1 championships and domestic cups. Marquinhos is known for his anticipation, tackling skills, and incredible aerial ability. Additionally, he’s a great leader on the field and even captains both PSG and the Brazilian national team.
Speaking of Brazil, Marquinhos has been a key player for the national team in recent years. He’s played in major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and Copa America, and he’s definitely one of the top defenders to come out of Brazil in recent times. If you haven’t watched Marquinhos play, do yourself a favor and check out some of his standout matches. The guy is an absolute boss on the field!
10. Thomas Partey
Last but certainly not least – Thomas Partey! He’s a Ghanaian midfielder who has been playing for Arsenal since 2020, and he’s a player of considerable importance on the field. Before joining Arsenal, Partey was a key player for Atlético Madrid, where he helped them win the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Super Cup.
Partey is known for his passing ability and impressive stamina, but he also has plenty of dribbling skills. He’s like a top-class box-to-box midfielder, you know? Additionally, he can score some beautiful long-range goals, which is always a bonus!
On the international stage, Partey is a standout player for the Ghanaian national team. He has over 30 caps for the national team and has represented his country in numerous Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. If you haven’t watched Thomas Partey play, you definitely should. He has some real talent and is a joy to watch on the field!
Conclude
The number 5 in football symbolizes more than just a jersey; it represents a legacy of excellence on the field. From iconic defenders like Carlos Puyol, known for his unwavering commitment and leadership, to midfield maestros like Zinedine Zidane, who mesmerized audiences with his grace and skill, the players who don the number 5 jersey embody the essence of the sport. Whether it’s intercepting crucial passes, orchestrating attacks, or marshaling the defense, these players have left an indelible mark on football history, inspiring generations with their talent and dedication.
See more: Top 10 soccer players with number 3 famous in the soccer industry
