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The jersey number 12 is not the most coveted shirt in soccer, but some soccer players with the number 12 have managed to stick to our minds. Although players in different positions on the field have worn this number, substitute goalkeepers occasionally do. This article will look at the players from different perspectives, including:
- Early career
- Prime Career
- Awards and accolades
- Late career
Continue reading as we look into these soccer players with the number 12, and although not very popular, they have made themselves known and revered in the soccer arena.
Soccer Players Who Wore The Number 12
Number 12 is just one outside the typical 1-11 players and has no distinct position. In this list of the best players with the number 12, there is a goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, and attacker. Although it’s not a classic number, it’s not far from the first eleven and is open to all positions. Let’s take a look at the famous players to wear 12:
Alex Sandro
Alex Sandro dos Santos, better known as Alex Sandro, is a Brazilian who plays as a left-back. In his home country of Brazil, he began his professional career in 2011 with Atlético Paranaense, where he appeared in over 100 games over four seasons. His performances with Atlético Paranaense drew the attention of European clubs, and he moved to Porto for a cost of €6 million in 2015.
Stats:
- Full name: Alex Sandro Lobo Silva
- Date of birth: January 26, 1991
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Teams played for:
- Santos FC (2008-2011)
- FC Porto (2011-2015)
- Juventus FC (2015-present)
- Positions played: Left-back, Left Midfield, center-back
- Trophies won:
- Serie A (6 times with Juventus FC: 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2021-22)
- Coppa Italia (5 times with Juventus FC: 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2020-21, 2021-22)
- Supercoppa Italiana (4 times with Juventus FC: 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021)
- Primeira Liga (3 times with FC Porto: 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14)
- Taca de Portugal (2 times with FC Porto: 2010-11, 2013-14)
- UEFA Europa League (1 time with FC Porto: 2010–11)
- Other significant achievements:
- 40 caps and 2 goals for the Brazilian national team (as of the last update)
- Named in the UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season: 2010-11
- Named in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2014-15
- Named in the Serie A Team of the Year: 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19
- Named in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2016–17, 2017–18
Alex Sandro established himself as one of Europe’s greatest left-backs during his time at Porto. He appeared in almost 100 games for Porto, helping the club win two Portuguese league crowns and two Portuguese Cups. His performances with Porto earned him a big-money move to Italian powerhouse Juventus in 2015 for €26 million.
Alex Sandro has won numerous awards since joining Juventus, including five consecutive Serie A titles from 2015 to 2020 as well as two Coppa Italia titles. However, as younger fullbacks have developed, his playing time has diminished in subsequent seasons.
He has also dealt with ailments, missing several weeks of the 2023–2024 season due to a hamstring issue. Alex Sandro has almost 50 caps for the Brazilian national team since 2013, and he was a member of the team that won the Copa America in 2019.
Marcelo Vieira da Silva
Marcelo Vieira da Silva Junior, better known as Marcelo, is a Brazilian player who currently plays for Fluminense in Brazil. Marcelo, regarded as one of the best defenders of his time, he has spent his most of his professional career with Real Madrid, having joined from Brazilian club Fluminense in 2007.
Stats:
- Full name: Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior
- Date of birth: May 12, 1988
- Nationality: Brazil
- Teams played for:
- Fluminense Football Club (2022-present)
- Real Madrid CF (2007–2022)
- Fluminense Football Club (2005-2006)
- Positions played: Left-Back, Left Midfield
- Trophies won:
- FIFA Club World Cup: 4 times (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018) with Real Madrid CF
- UEFA Champions League: 4 times (2013-14, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18) with Real Madrid CF
- La Liga: 5 times (2011-12, 2016-17, 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22) with Real Madrid CF
- Copa del Rey: 2 times (2010-11, 2013-14) with Real Madrid CF
- Supercopa de España: 3 times (2012, 2017, 2019) with Real Madrid CF
- UEFA Super Cup: 3 times (2014, 2016, 2017) with Real Madrid CF
- Campeonato Carioca: 1 time (2022) with Fluminense Football Club
- Other significant achievements:
- FIFA FIFPro World XI: 5 times (2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)
- UEFA Team of the Year: 3 times (2011, 2017, 2018)
- La Liga Best Defender: 2 times (2011, 2012)
- Copa America Best Left-Back: 2 times (2011, 2019)
- FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 1 time (2018)
- Bola de Prata (Brazilian Football Magazine) Best Left-Back: 2 times (2009, 2019)
- Golden Foot Award: 2021
Marcelo has established himself as Real Madrid’s most decorated player, earning 25 major medals in 15 seasons, including five Champions League trophies and six La Liga titles. He is the Real Madrid player with the most appearances. Marcelo was born in 1988.
Since 2006, Marcelo has received over 50 caps for the Brazilian national team. He was a member of the Brazilian teams that won the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2009 and again in 2013. Despite being in his 30s, Marcelo has been a prominent player for Real Madrid under manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Marcelo is married and has two small children away from the field. Because of his trophy-laden career with Real Madrid, he is often recognized as one of the most successful Brazilian defenders of all time.
The Brazilian soccer player is the captain of the La Liga side, Real Madrid, and plays for his home country. Early in his career, he won the Campeonato Carioca, which saw him named to the Brasileirao Team of the Season before joining Real Madrid.
His flair, touch, grace, and ball control made him a lethal attacking full-back with his speed, allowing him to create scoring opportunities and positioning himself well to open up the field for his team.
John Obi Mikel
John Obi Mikel, is a retired Nigerian player who played defensive midfield. He is regarded as one of Nigeria’s greatest players of all time. Mikel spent the most of his professional career in England, where he played for Chelsea from 2006 to 2017 and won a slew of medals including two Premier League titles, three FA Cups, one Champions League victory, and one Europa League title.
Stats:
- Date of birth: April 22, 1987
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Teams played for:
- Lyn
- Chelsea
- Tianjin Teda
- Middlesbrough
- Stoke City
- Kuwait SC
- Positions played:
- Defensive Midfield
- Central Midfield
- Attacking Midfield
- Trophies won:
- Premier League (2 times with Chelsea)
- FA Cup (4 times with Chelsea)
- League Cup (2 times with Chelsea)
- Community Shield (2 times with Chelsea)
- UEFA Champions League (1 time with Chelsea)
- UEFA Europa League (1 time with Chelsea)
- African Cup of Nations (1 time with Nigeria)
- Other significant achievements:
- Named African Young Player of the Year (2005)
- Named in the CAF Team of the Year (2013)
- Named in the CAF Best XI (2013)
- Played in the FIFA World Cup (2014, 2018)
Mikel represented Nigeria at the senior level from 2005 until 2019, gaining over 80 caps. He was Nigeria’s captain and standout player, helping them win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and reaching the round of 16 at the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups. Mikel left Chelsea in 2017 and spent time in China with Tianjin TEDA before returning to England short with Middlesbrough.
After brief periods in Turkey and Kuwait, he called it quits in 2020. Mikel has transitioned into coaching since his retirement, most recently being chosen head coach of the Kuwait U-23 national team in 2023.
He later moved to Chelsea, where he played for 11 years, then transferred to Tianjin TEDA in China. After that, he went back to Middlesbrough, then to Trabzonspor, and in 2020, he joined Stoke City.
Julio Cesar
Julio Cesar de León Brochado, better known as Julio Cesar, is a retired Brazilian professional goalkeeper who is 42 years old. He spent the most of his professional career in Italy, most notably for Internazionale from 2006 to 2016, where he helped the club record an unprecedented Italian league, cup, and Champions League treble in 2010.
Stats:
- Name: Júlio César Soares de Espíndola
- Date of Birth: September 3, 1979
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Teams Played for:
- Flamengo (2018)
- Benfica (2014-2018)
- Toronto FC (2014)
- Queens Park Rangers (2012-2014)
- Inter Milan (2005-2012)
- Chievo Verona (2005)
- Flamengo (2004-2005)
- Flamengo (2000-2004)
- Positions Played:
- Goalkeeper
- Trophies Won:
- FIFA Club World Cup: 1 (Inter Milan – 2010)
- UEFA Champions League: 1 (Inter Milan – 2009-10)
- Serie A: 5 (Inter Milan – 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10)
- Coppa Italia: 4 (Inter Milan – 2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10; Benfica – 2013-14)
- Supercoppa Italiana: 3 (Inter Milan – 2005, 2006, 2008)
- Primeira Liga: 2 (Benfica – 2013-14, 2014-15)
- Taça de Portugal: 1 (Benfica – 2013-14)
- Canadian Championship: 1 (Toronto FC – 2014)
- Campeonato Carioca: 4 (Flamengo – 2000, 2001, 2004, 2018)
- Brasileirão Série A: 1 (Flamengo – 2009)
- Copa do Brasil: 1 (Flamengo – 2006)
- Other Significant Achievements:
- FIFA World Cup: 2010 (Finished as the third-place team with Brazil)
- UEFA European Championship: Runner-up (2004)
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Best Goalkeeper: 2009
- IFFHS World’s Best Goalkeeper: 2009
- Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year: 2008-09, 2009-10
- Primeira Liga Goalkeeper of the Year: 2013-14, 2014-15
- MLS All-Star: 2015
- FIFPro World XI: 2013
Cesar, regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his period, also played for Palmeiras in Brazil and Queens Park Rangers in England. He got almost 100 caps for Brazil and was their primary goalkeeper when they won the World Cup in 2002.
Cesar has worked in soccer administration and coaching since retiring in 2017 following brief stints with Benfica and So Paulo. Manager Tite appointed him as the next goalkeeping coach of the Brazil national team in 2023. Cesar was regarded as a player for his shot-blocking abilities, fast reflexes, and consistency.
In the late 2000s, he helped Inter Milan become a European powerhouse, and he is regarded a legend at the club. Cesar was named Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year a record five times and is considered one of the greatest goalkeepers in Brazilian history.
![Júlio César, The Dreamcatcher [Best Saves]](https://soccerblade.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2Fd234tW05kpA%2F0.jpg)
Cesar also lent his outstanding goalkeeping skills to his country in the 2006, 2010, and 2014 FIFA World Cups and two Copa America tournaments, scoring 87 goals.
David Fairclough
David Fairclough is a retired English professional striker. Between 1975 and 1981, he spent the majority of his career with Liverpool, making over 100 games and scoring 37 goals. Fairclough earned various awards during his stay at Anfield, including two English league crowns and two European Cups.
Stats:
- Date of birth: January 5, 1957
- Nationality: English
- Teams played for: Liverpool, Norwich City, Oldham Athletic, Tranmere Rovers, Wigan Athletic
- Positions played: Centre-Forward, Attack
- Trophies won:
- European Cup (3 times with Liverpool)
- First Division/Premier League (6 times with Liverpool)
- FA Cup (1 time with Liverpool)
- League Cup (4 times with Liverpool)
- UEFA Super Cup (1 time with Liverpool)
- Charity Shield/Community Shield (4 times with Liverpool)
- Other significant achievements:
- Scored the winning goal against Saint-Étienne in the 1977 European Cup quarter-finals
- Known as “Supersub” for his knack of scoring important goals as a substitute
- Made one appearance for the England U21 national team
While he was unable to maintain a regular starting berth due to the brilliance of Kenny Dalglish and David Johnson ahead of him, Fairclough became a hero among Liverpool fans as a vital squad player and great sub. He left Liverpool in 1981 and went on to play for Southampton, Brentford, and Hong Kong Rangers before retiring.
Fairclough has worked in the media as a soccer analyst and journalist since retiring from playing. He also wrote two books, “Super Sub: The Story of Football’s Most Famous Number 12” and “The Anfield Wrap: Untold Stories from the Kop,” on his career and experiences playing for Liverpool during their golden era in the 1970s.
Fairclough remains a famous figure among Liverpool fans due to his cult hero status during the club’s early European wins. He currently owns and operates a jewelry store in Toledo, Ohio, where he lives with his family. Fairclough is still involved in Liverpool FC events and is a lifelong supporter of the team.
Many notable attacking midfielders have worn the number 12 and succeeded, even if other numbers are more famous. World-class players have worn the number 12 shirt to help their clubs and countries win the game’s top honours. Whether playing frequently or coming off the bench to make an impact, these famous number 12s have proved that while the number on the back doesn’t determine skill, it has often been lucky for some of soccer’s best players.
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Joel is a seasoned soccer journalist and analyst with many years of experience in the field. Joel specializes in game analysis, player profiles, transfer news, and has a keen eye for the tactical nuances of the game. He played at various levels in the game and coached teams - he is happy to share his insight with you.
