Top 10 Most Famous Footballers to Have Worn the Legendary Number 7 Jersey

Franck Ribery arrived at Bayern Munich in the summer of 2007, inheriting the club's prestigious number 7 shirt from the retired Mehmet Scholl. Initially, many were skeptical about his move to Bavaria, but Ribery quickly won over the Bayern faithful by scoring in his second Bundesliga match, and from then on, there was no turning back. Despite the pressure of filling Scholl's shoes, Ribery made an impressive start, scoring 11 goals and providing 8 assists to help Bayern clinch both the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal titles, earning him the title of Germany's second-best foreign player. But this was just the beginning of his journey.

In the following season, Ribery, alongside Arjen Robben, formed the devastating “Robbery” partnership, with Ribery on the left and Robben on the right. Together, they guided Bayern to some of the most dominant seasons in both Germany and Europe. Over the course of 12 seasons at Bayern, Ribery battled injuries but still managed to score 124 goals and contribute 182 assists, surpassing Hasan Salihamidzic to become the club's most capped foreign player. Ribery ended his Bayern career with 23 trophies, including a record 9 Bundesliga titles, solidifying his place in the club's history before moving to Fiorentina at the start of the previous season.

At 38 years old, playing for Salernitana at the bottom of Serie A, Franck Ribery may not be among the top number 7 players today. However, not too long ago, facing the French winger was a nightmare for defenders across Europe.

Luis Figo is the most capped player in the history of the Portugal national team, earning 127 appearances over a long and illustrious career. Known for his creativity and dribbling ability, Figo is regarded as one of the greatest wingers of his generation. His playmaking skills are evident from his ranking as the second-highest assist provider in La Liga history, only behind Lionel Messi. In his prime, Figo was a quick, elegant, and highly skillful player, with exceptional dribbling that allowed him to frequently take on and defeat defenders in one-on-one situations.

Luis Figo wore the number 7 shirt for both Sporting Lisbon and FC Barcelona, where he helped the club win multiple domestic league titles and Copa del Rey trophies. Known for his precision with set pieces, Figo scored many crucial goals with his powerful long-range shots and accurate free kicks. As one of the greatest Portuguese players of all time and a true embodiment of the number 7 role as a winger, Figo is considered one of the best to ever wear the iconic number. After breaking the record for most assists in La Liga history, Figo left Real Madrid in 2005 to join Inter Milan, where he added 7 more titles to his collection before retiring in 2009.

David Beckham, famous for his pinpoint crosses and exceptional free-kick ability, is one of the most iconic number 7s in football history. Beckham first inherited the number 7 shirt at the age of 21 at Manchester United, following the departure of Eric Cantona. The Englishman, who did not wear the number 7 during his 4 years at Real Madrid, scored 127 goals and provided 202 assists across an illustrious club career with 6 different teams. Beckham netted 65 free-kick goals during his nearly two-decade-long career, including 29 for Manchester United and 14 for Real Madrid.

While George Best was the first football superstar, David Beckham became the greatest global icon in the sport, even after his retirement! Compared to other legendary number 7s in history, Beckham had a significant role on the field as a right-wing midfielder. His career at Manchester United was adorned with 13 major titles between 1992 and 2003, including the historic treble in the 1998-99 season. Beckham scored some of the most iconic goals in football history, which is why his name is instantly recognizable, even among those who aren't avid football fans.

Manuel Francisco dos Santos, better known as Garrincha, is considered one of the greatest dribblers in football history. Garrincha was one of the first players to captivate football fans worldwide while wearing the number 7 jersey. The right winger dazzled on both flanks, routinely bypassing defenders with an array of dazzling tricks and feints. In the absence of Pele, Garrincha played a crucial role in securing Brazil's victory in the 1962 FIFA World Cup, where he also finished as the tournament's top scorer and won the Golden Ball award.

Garrincha, which means 'little bird' in Portuguese, spent much of his club career at Botafogo but rose to international fame through his formidable partnership with Pele in the Brazil national team. Brazil never lost a match with both Garrincha and Pele in the lineup. Standing at 1.69m with quick, nimble feet, Garrincha was an extraordinary dribbler capable of creating scoring opportunities in an instant. He played 50 matches for Brazil from 1955 to 1966, and due to his flamboyant playing style, he became a national hero, with Brazilians giving him the nickname Alegria do Povo, meaning 'Joy of the People' in Portuguese.

One of the most captivating and controversial figures in football history, Eric Cantona was an immensely talented and charismatic player. As a legendary number 7 who played for Manchester United, the Frenchman is credited with playing a pivotal role in reviving the fortunes of the club. Cantona first made his mark with Leeds United in the summer of 1992, scoring 9 goals to help his team edge Manchester United for their first league title in 18 years. He carried himself on the field with a natural swagger and became synonymous with the iconic number 7 shirt, often seen wearing his trademark raised collar. Manchester United fans lovingly referred to him as “King Eric.”

During his 4.5 seasons at Manchester United, Cantona scored 61 goals and provided 81 assists, helping the club claim a rich collection of trophies, including 4 Premier League titles, 5 Community Shields, and 2 FA Cups. Although Cantona never wore the number 7 at Madrid, his 56 goals and 93 assists for the Spanish giants contributed to two La Liga titles and a Champions League triumph. United fans will forever remember Cantona for his incredible performances on the pitch. In total, the Frenchman scored 64 league goals, 11 cup goals, and 5 Champions League goals, bringing his total to 80 goals in just under 5 years.

Charismatic and immensely talented, George Best was the first in a long line of truly legendary number 7s to play for Manchester United. United fans were mesmerized by his dazzling performances, and the popular local banner 'Maradona good, Pele better, George best' became iconic. Best primarily played as a winger, but he also featured as an attacking midfielder. He was at the peak of his powers from 1966 to 1972. In 1968, he helped Manchester United lift the European Cup and was named European Footballer of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year.

George Best is widely regarded as one of football’s greatest legends and one of the sport’s most outstanding figures. Although Best wore various numbers during his decade at Old Trafford, he is still considered one of the best number 7s in the club's history. Pele once said, 'George Best is the greatest footballer in the world.' Best, who never played in a major international tournament like the Euros or the World Cup, was renowned for his dribbling skills, ambidexterity, and ability to run rings around defenders. He remains one of the first true superstars of modern football.

The Scottish football legend and Liverpool icon, Kenny Dalglish, was an indispensable figure in the club's dominant teams of the late 1970s and 1980s. Dalglish inherited the iconic number 7 shirt from another great, Kevin Keegan, and went on to achieve even greater success than his predecessor. He secured six Football League First Division titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, three European Cups, and a UEFA Super Cup. For these accomplishments and his playing style, Liverpool fans fondly dubbed him 'King Kenny.'

Dalglish typically played as a right-winger or as a supporting forward, creating and scoring vital goals for Liverpool. In 1983, the Scottish forward finished second in the Ballon d'Or voting, thanks to his outstanding performances that season. Dalglish’s contributions to Liverpool were so monumental that, as recently as 2006, he topped a poll of Liverpool fans to determine 'The 100 players who shook The Kop.' King Kenny is undoubtedly one of the greatest number 7s and the greatest player to ever play for Liverpool.

One of the two standout players of this generation, alongside Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo is undeniably one of the greatest to ever play the beautiful game. Ronaldo’s goal-scoring record is simply phenomenal, especially considering he has primarily played as a winger for most of his career. The Portuguese superstar first rose to prominence at Manchester United, delivering mesmerizing performances that left defenders helpless against his dazzling skills. After moving to Real Madrid, Ronaldo elevated his game to new heights, becoming one of the most prolific goal-scorers in history. He continued his world-class form at Juventus.

With an insatiable desire to be the best, Cristiano Ronaldo has worked relentlessly to hone his extraordinary talent. Ronaldo is capable of scoring all types of goals—long-range strikes, free kicks, simple finishes, and even powerful headers. Among the top players to ever play the game, Ronaldo is undoubtedly the finest number 7 to grace the pitch in football history. While he might rank second to Garrincha in terms of ball control, Ronaldo’s excellence and longevity over nearly two decades make him the undisputed choice for the greatest number 7 of all time.

The Portuguese captain, the only European player to score 100 international goals, Cristiano Ronaldo has never stopped striving for greatness after receiving the iconic number 7 shirt from Manchester United’s legendary manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, in 2003. Except for two seasons (one at Sporting Lisbon and one at Real Madrid), Ronaldo has worn the number 7 throughout his club career and much of his international career.

Real Madrid has always been home to some of the world’s finest players. Raul Gonzalez, often referred to simply as Raul, is one of the most iconic number 7s not only in the illustrious history of the club but in the entire sport. Raul inherited the famous number 7 shirt from Emilio Butragueno, who left the club in 1995 when Raul was just 17. Over a remarkable 15-year career at the Santiago Bernabeu, Raul scored an incredible 323 goals, becoming the club’s all-time top scorer before being overtaken by his successor, Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Spanish international hit his peak during the 2000-01 season, when Raul Gonzalez netted 32 goals across all competitions, leading Real Madrid to the La Liga title and a semi-final finish in the Champions League. Raul left Schalke in 2010, having won six domestic league titles and three Champions League trophies. He later returned to Madrid as a manager, leading the club to its first-ever UEFA Youth League title. Raul originally wore the numbers 16, 14, and 17 during his early years at Real Madrid but chose the number 7 shirt for the 1995-96 season, which he wore until the end of his career.

With 741 appearances over 16 years, Raul Gonzalez holds the record for most games played for Real Madrid. He is also the second-highest goal scorer in both Real Madrid history and the Spanish national team, with 323 goals for his club and 44 for his country. Raul Gonzalez is not only one of the best number 7s in football history but also one of the most renowned football legends of all time.

Arsenal legend Robert Pires was a key member of the Gunners' invincible squad in the 2003/04 season. The French winger enjoyed a long and trophy-laden career both domestically and internationally. Pires earned 79 caps for the French national team, winning the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, as well as the 2001 Confederations Cup where he was named the tournament's best player. Despite his international success, Pires is most fondly remembered for his time at Arsenal.

From 2000 to 2006, Pires helped Arsenal secure three FA Cups and two Premier League titles, alongside a memorable Champions League final appearance. In the iconic 2003/04 season, Robert Pires was one of the key creators for the team, finishing the Premier League campaign with an impressive 14 goals and 7 assists. He was Arsenal's second-highest goal scorer (behind Thierry Henry) and shared the most assists with Dennis Bergkamp that season. Pires’ influence in just six years at Arsenal earned him a place as the club's sixth-greatest player in history.