Currently, there are big names in the football world wearing large numbers on their jerseys. Looking closely, the number 25 is very common among defensive midfielders and defenders. However, some attacking football players also wear the number 25 for their clubs. To gain deeper insights into these standout players, here are 10 football players with number 25 that bestsoccertips has compiled.
Top 10 famous soccer players with number 25
1. Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
Although we say defensive players dominate this list, we start with an attacking player who is perhaps prominent on the list. Thomas Müller is a German footballer who can play as an attacking midfielder and plays for Bayern Munich and the German national team.
The 2014 World Cup champion has worn the number 25 jersey since debuting for the Bavarian club in 2008/2009. The German player is considered one of the best playmakers in football at the moment. He is also one of the top footballers to wear the number 25 jersey.
2. Mohammed Elneny (Arsenal)
The 30-year-old midfielder currently plays for Arsenal as well as representing the Egyptian national team in the defensive midfield position. His career has seen significant successes, winning both the FA Cup and the Community Shield with the Gunners. Additionally, he has been an integral part of his national team’s journey to the AFCON finals in 2017 and 2022.
On the field, he has undergone jersey number changes, starting with number 35 in his initial seasons at Arsenal. He then temporarily switched to number 4 before returning to the Emirates Stadium from the 2020 season after a loan spell at Besiktas. Currently, the number he wears on his back is number 25, symbolizing the continuation of a successful and challenging career.
3. Jadon Sancho (Manchester United)
Jadon Sancho, the renowned midfielder of Manchester United, made his move to Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund in 2021, marking a significant event in the football transfer market. After completing a deal for a remarkable sum, he was bestowed with the number 25 jersey, symbolizing the club’s expectation and confidence in his talent.
Before joining Manchester United, Sancho had a successful stint at Borussia Dortmund, where he was famed for wearing the number 7 jersey and making a significant impact in the team’s attack. During his time in Germany, he garnered praise for his attacking prowess and versatility in gameplay.
There’s a notable difference in Sancho’s career trajectory while still young. He won the U17 World Cup in 2017 with the England national team, marking one of his early breakthroughs. Prior to arriving at Manchester United, Sancho had a youthful spell at Manchester City, where he began to develop and assert himself in the football world. Jadon Sancho is not only a technically skilled, fast, and dangerous right winger, but also one of the most promising young talents in world football.
4. Japhet Tanganga (Tottenham)
Japhet Tanganga, a talented English defender, currently plays for Tottenham Hotspur. Tanganga rose through the club’s academy and made his first-team debut in 2019, although his appearances have been limited.
Despite being only 23 years old, Tanganga has embarked on a long-term development journey to secure a regular place in Tottenham’s starting lineup. He also desires a change in jersey number, demonstrating the evolution and progress in his career. This could be a sign of Tanganga’s maturity and readiness to embrace new challenges in his football career.
5. Manuel Akanji (Manchester City)
Manuel Akanji, 27, made a notable move from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City in the summer, becoming one of Pep Guardiola’s significant signings in the transfer window. In his first season at the Etihad Stadium, he was given the number 25 jersey, a symbol of expectation and trust from the coaching staff, although this may change over time depending on his role and performance in the team.
Akanji has not only showcased his strength in the club’s colors but also been an important member of the Swiss national team. He is currently preparing to participate in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, demonstrating his versatility and quality not only at the club level but also on the international stage. This promises to be a new challenge and opportunity for Akanji to continue to develop and assert himself in both environments.
6. Niklas Sule (Borussia Dortmund)
As Manuel Akanji moved from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City, Niklas Sule also made a move from Bayern Munich to Dortmund. Coincidentally, both received the number 25 jersey at their new clubs. Niklas Süle, a talented center-back, is not only part of the German national team but has also been with Bayern Munich for 5 seasons.
With an impressive career, Niklas Süle has been associated with the German Bundesliga for a decade, building a reputation as one of the finest defenders in the league. With vast experience and modern abilities, he has become a reliable asset for every team he has played for. Joining Dortmund is not just a new step in Süle’s career but also an opportunity for him to continue contributing and showcasing his talent in a new environment.
7. Nuno Mendes (PSG)
Nuno Alexandre Tavares Mendes, a young Portuguese defender, dons the number 25 jersey for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in France. At just 20 years old, Mendes has become an integral part of PSG’s lineup after joining the club from Sporting Lisbon on loan last season.
Following impressive appearances, Mendes’ diligence and talent have caught the attention of the management at Parisian club, leading them to activate his buyout clause, showcasing their trust and hope in this young player’s potential.
Nuno Mendes is known as a diligent, resilient, and attacking full-back, providing a balance between defensive and offensive effectiveness. With significant talent and potential, he is considered one of the best young defenders in football today and will continue to shine at PSG as well as in the colors of the Portuguese national team.
8. Jesús Vallejo (Real Madrid)
Jesús Vallejo, a 25-year-old Spanish defender, joined Real Madrid in 2015. However, during his time at the Bernabeu, he underwent several loan spells at clubs in Spain and abroad.
Last season, Vallejo was loaned to Granada, where he had the opportunity to showcase his abilities in the Spanish La Liga. Additionally, he also had stints in the Premier League with Wolverhampton Wanderers and the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt. Not stopping there, Vallejo was also loaned to Real Zaragoza, where he continued to gain playing experience.
Although part of Real Madrid, Vallejo has struggled to compete for a place in the first-team lineup. This season, he only had a single appearance in the UEFA Champions League, indicating the difficulty of breaking into Los Blancos’ regular lineup. However, with diverse experience and patience, Vallejo still hopes to rise up and demonstrate his talent at the highest level.
9. Alessandro Florenzi (AC Milan)
Florenzi may not be one of Italy’s physically imposing defenders, but he has left a deep mark in the history of the Italian national team by winning Euro 2020. This full-back currently plays for AC Milan, having joined the club this season from AS Roma.
Florenzi has had a notable career at Roma, where he played over 200 matches and left a significant imprint on the club’s history. Additionally, he has undergone several loan spells, including time at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), where he continued to showcase his abilities at one of Europe’s top clubs.
Despite not being a towering defender, Florenzi has proven his talent and value through the success of the Italian national team at Euro 2020. With experience and fighting spirit, he is an integral part of the Milan lineup and continues to make an impact in international football.
10. Emmanuel Dennis (Nottingham Forest)
Emmanuel Dennis, a Nigerian forward, is truly a player full of potential. After a highly impressive season with Watford, despite the team’s relegation, he joined Nottingham Forest in the Premier League in the summer. However, this did not necessarily translate to him maintaining the same impressive form as before.
Dennis left a clear mark at Watford, despite the team’s relegation. He was one of the standout players for the team, contributing significantly in every match. However, upon moving to Nottingham Forest, he encountered difficulties in replicating similar form. This could partly be due to adapting to a new environment and style of play.
While unable to replicate his success at Nottingham Forest as he did at Watford, Dennis remains a talent full of potential and may find a way to overcome current challenges and continue to develop in his career.
Conclusion
In summary, the footballers adorned with the number 25 jersey encompass a spectrum of talent and promise within the sport. From seasoned veterans like Thomas Muller to rising stars like Nuno Mendes, each player embodies the essence of their respective clubs and national teams with their unique skills and contributions. As they navigate their careers, the number 25 serves as a badge of honor, symbolizing both their individual prowess and the collective aspirations of their teams. Their journeys, marked by perseverance and dedication, illuminate the dynamic nature of football, captivating fans worldwide and leaving an indelible mark on the sport’s legacy.
See more: Compiled list of the best soccer players under 25 today
