When our contemporary sports began, there were no numbers on the jerseys. Or, for that matter, names. Over time, numbers were attached to the jerseys so spectators and the media could identify players from the stands – and with it came the superiority of specific numbers. Today, we look at the number 16.
The number 16 has been worn by soccer players who have created impeccable careers and set enviable records on the field. From Roy Keane to Michael Carrick and Sergio Aguero, among others, the number 16 jersey is surely legendary.
Some wearers players are active, while some are retired. Nevertheless, their input in the soccer game continues to be written in indelible ink and will forever be ‘inked’ in our memories.
Below are some superstar players to ever dawn jersey number 16, including their:
- Achievements
- Career paths
- Contribution to the world of soccer
From player to player, you’ll see that the number 16 is truly a legendary number and one o pay attention to in every game. Judge for yourself.
The Best Soccer Players To Wear Number 16
The number 16 has not set position in the game and in this list, you’ll find a goalkeeper, midfielder, winger, and striker. Here are some of the best players to wear the number 16 jersey in soccer.
Roy Keane
Roy Maurice Keane is a former soccer player and manager of Irish descent. He is one of the most successful soccer players, having won 19 major titles, 17 of those while at Manchester United.
In his 18-year career, Keane was a dominating box-to-box midfielder playing for the Cobh Ramblers, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, and Celtic. He also played for the Ireland Republic for 14 years, mostly as captain.
After retiring, Keane managed Sunderland, helping them win the Football League Championship. This made them gain promotion to the Premier League.
In 2009, he was appointed the manager of the Championship club Ipswich. Later, in 2013, he became the assistant manager of the Irish national team, where he stayed until internal controversies saw him leave in 2018.
When asked about his position in the role of assistant manager, Keane admitted that he loved the job and the people he worked with. However, he believes that his no-nonsense and tough character may not get him back into management.
Daniele De Rossi
Daniele De Rossi wore number 16 and did amazing things in that jersey. He is mainly known for playing in Serie A for his hometown club Roma.
However, he was also in the FIFA World Cup-wining Italy national team. He is known as a defensive midfielder and the assistant coach of the Italian national soccer team.
In his career, De Rossi has earned several accolades including, Serie A Young Footballer of the Year in 2006 and Serie A Italian Footballer of the Year in 2009.
While with his club, he won the Coppa Italia in 2007 and 2008 and the Suppercoppa Italiana in 2007. He played 18 seasons with club Roma with 616 appearances making him one of the most capped players.
He further earned 117 caps playing for the Italian national team. Having retired in January 2020 with 21 goals, De Rossi is one of the highest-scoring midfielders for Italy and one of the most prolific midfielders.
Sergio Busquets
Sergio Busquets Burgos is regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders of all time. He is renowned for his deep playmaking capabilities, directing the game through calm short passes.
Sergio is Spanish and has played for La Liga’s Barcelona and the Spain national team. Since his arrival at Barcelona in 2008, he totaled over 600 appearances and won a treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Champions League.
He further made x120 appearances for the Spanish national soccer team since 2009. He was instrumental in the countries winning the 2010 World Cup and the Euro 2012.
Edouard Mendy
Edouard Osoque Mendy is the current goalkeeper for Chelsea’s English Premier League club. He was born and raised in France but represented Senegal at the International level.
Mendi’s career has had hiccups but seems to be excelling now. He started playing for Le Havre academy but was first signed by a third division team Cherbourg in 2011.
After the club let him go in 2014, Mendy almost quit soccer. That is until he got an opportunity with Maeseille’s reserves.
He established himself as a dependable goalkeeper over the next six years until Chelsea signed him in 2020.
Within a short while, he cemented himself as the first-choice goalkeeper for the Premier League team by keeping 16 clean sheets in his first season.
Eduardo Mendy is now regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe. He won the UEFA Goalkeeper of the season in 2021.
Sergio Aguero
Sergio Leonel Aguero del Castillo, popularly known as Kun Aguero, is a professional soccer player from Argentina. He is known as a striker for Barcelona and the Argentina national team. The name Kun is a childhood nickname from the cartoon Kum-Kim.
On July 5th, 2003, Aguero became the youngest player at age 15 to play in the Argentine Primera División representing Argentine Independiente, where he started his career.
Later in 2006, he was signed to Atletico Madrid, where he cemented himself as one of the best young players.
Aguero won the Don Balon, the Golden Boy, and the World Soccer Young Player. While at Atletico Madrid, he also won the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup.
In 2011, he moved to Manchester United, where he played for a decade. During this time, he led Man U to win five league titles.
With 184 goals, Aguero is one of Manchester’s top scorers, Premier League goal scorers, and one of the highest non-English scorers in the Premier League.
Aguero is one of Argentina’s top scorers with over 100 national team caps representing the country in FIFA 2010, 2014, and 2018 World Cups.
Arjen Robben
Arjen Robben is a former winger and Dutch professional soccer player. He is better known for his long-range shots, ball control speed, and dribbling skills.
Robben was first spotted at Groningen, where he was player of the year in 2000-2001. Two years later, he became Neherland’s Young Player of the year, winning the Eredivisie title while with PSV.
In 2004, Robben was signed by Chelsea, where he helped the club bag two consecutive premier league titles. After the third season in England, Robben transferred to Real Madrid. Later in 2009, he moved to Bayern Munich. While at Bayern Munich, Bayern won the league title.
In 2013 he scored the winning goal in the UEFA Champions League Final. He won 20 trophies, while Germany had eight Bundesliga titles and five DFB Pokals.
He retired from professional soccer on July 15th, 2021.
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick is a former English player and Coach. He is known for his 12-year playing career at Manchester United, where he also was a captain.
Carrick was a midfielder with impeccable passing skills that saw him being used as an emergency center back by different coaches during his Manchester career. He saw the onset of his career at West Ham United in 1997, where he won the FA Youth Cup two years later.
Carrick was sent on loan twice, but in the 2000-2001 season, he secured a place in the first team. He joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2004 and remained there for two seasons before joining Manchester United in 2006.
Carrick experienced a very fruitful career at Manchester United. After winning the FA Cup in 2016, Carrick, alongside Rooney, became the only English player to win the Premier League title, the UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Europa, FA Community Shield, and the FIFA World Cup.
He has represented England at under-18, under-21, B, and senior levels. Carrick was in the England team for the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.
Aaron Ramsey
Aaron Ramsey is a midfielder of Welsh descent characterized as a box-to-box midfielder deployed on the right and left wings. He spent eight years of his youth soccer team at Cardiff City as a schoolboy.
He moved to Arsenal in 2008, but his career stalled after he suffered a broken leg during a match with Stoke City in 2010.
After full fitness, he re-established himself as a regular starter in the 2011-2012 season. He scored the winning goal in the 2014 FA Cup against Hull City.
In 2019 Ramsey joined Juventus, winning the league title in his first season there.
