Share the post "Soccer Players With The Number 16 (Quality Players)"
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.
Soccer players who have established impeccable careers and broken enviable records on the field have donned the number 16. From Roy Keane to Michael Carrick and Sergio Aguero, among others, the number 16 jersey is undoubtedly legendary.
Some players are active, while others 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 legendary and one to 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.
Stats:
- Date of Birth: August 10, 1971
- Nationality: Irish
- Positions Played: Midfielder
- Teams Played for and Years:
- Cobh Ramblers (1989-1990)
- Nottingham Forest (1990-1993)
- Manchester United (1993-2005)
- Celtic (2005-2006)
- Trophies Won:
- Premier League: 7 times with Manchester United
- FA Cup: 4 times with Manchester United
- UEFA Champions League: 1 time with Manchester United
- Scottish Premier League: 1 time with Celtic
- Other Significant Achievements:
- Named in the FIFA 100 list of the world’s greatest living players in 2004
- Inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2021
- Known for his aggressive and highly competitive style of play
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 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 as assistant manager, Keane admitted that he loved the job and the people he worked with. However, he believes his no-nonsense and tough character may not get him back into management.
![Roy Keane, Keano [Skills & Goals]](https://soccerblade.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FgS_kfMqORp0%2F0.jpg)
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.
Stats:
- Date of Birth: July 24, 1983
- Nationality: Italian
- Positions Played: Midfielder
- Teams Played for and Years:
- AS Roma (2001-2019)
- Boca Juniors (2019-2020)
- Trophies Won:
- Serie A: 2 times with AS Roma
- Coppa Italia: 2 times with AS Roma
- Supercoppa Italiana: 1 time with AS Roma
- Other Significant Achievements:
- FIFA World Cup: Winner with Italy in 2006
- UEFA European Championship: Runner-up with Italy in 2012
- He is the highest scoring midfielder for the Italy national side post-World War II, with 21 goals in 117 international appearances, and the all-time second highest-scoring midfielder for Italy, behind only Adolfo Baloncieri. He is also the joint fourth-most capped player for the Italian national team.
However, he was also in the FIFA World Cup-winning Italy national team. He is known as a defensive midfielder and the assistant coach of the Italian national soccer team. 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 ever. He is renowned for his deep playmaking capabilities, directing the game through calm, short passes.
Stats:
- Date of birth: July 16, 1988
- Nationality: Spain
- Positions played: Defensive Midfield
- Teams played for:
- Inter Miami CF (2023-present)
- FC Barcelona (2008-2023)
- Trophies won:
- UEFA Champions League (4 times) – with FC Barcelona in 2008-09, 2010-11, 2014-15, and 2017-18
- La Liga (8 times) – with FC Barcelona in 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2012-13, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2017-18, and 2018-19
- Copa del Rey (6 times) – with FC Barcelona in 2008-09, 2011-12, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18
- FIFA Club World Cup (3 times) – with FC Barcelona in 2009, 2011, and 2015
- UEFA Super Cup (4 times) – with FC Barcelona in 2009, 2011, 2015, and 2018
- Supercopa de España (8 times) – with FC Barcelona in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2021
- UEFA European Championship (1 time) – with Spain in 2012
- FIFA World Cup (1 time) – with Spain in 2010
- UEFA Nations League (1 time) – with Spain in 2020-21
- Other significant achievements:
- FIFA World Cup Dream Team (2010)
- UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season (2014-15, 2016-17)
- La Liga Best Midfielder (2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019)
- UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament (2012)
- FIFA FIFPro World XI (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017)
- UEFA Team of the Year (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017)
- Don Balón Award for Best Spanish Midfielder (2011, 2012, 2019)
- La Liga Breakthrough Player of the Year (2009)
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 Al-Ahli after Chelsea sold him for €18.50 million. He was born and raised in France but represented Senegal internationally. Mendi’s career has had hiccups, but he seems to be excelling now. He started playing for Le Havre Academy but was first signed by a third-division team, Cherbourg, in 2011.
Stats:
- Date of birth: March 1, 1992
- Nationality: Senegal
- Positions played: Goalkeeper
- Teams played for:
- Stade Rennais (2019-2020)
- Chelsea FC (2020-present)
- Trophies won:
- UEFA Champions League (1 time) – with Chelsea FC in 2020-21
- UEFA Super Cup (1 time) – with Chelsea FC in 2021
- FIFA Club World Cup (1 time) – with Chelsea FC in 2021
- English Premier League (1 time) – with Chelsea FC in 2020-21
- Other significant achievements:
- UEFA Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season (2020-21)
- Chelsea FC Player of the Year (2020-21)
- Guinness World Record for most consecutive clean sheets at the start of a career in the UEFA Champions League (9 clean sheets)
- Premier League Golden Glove (2020-21)
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.
Stats:
- Date of Birth: June 2, 1988
- Nationality: Argentine
- Positions Played: Center-Forward, Second Striker
- Teams played for:
- Independiente (Argentina) – 2003-2006
- Atletico Madrid (Spain) – 2006-2011
- Manchester City (England) – 2011-2021
- Barcelona (Spain) – 2021-2022
- Trophies Won:
- Premier League (Manchester City) – 4 times (2011-12, 2013-14, 2017-18, 2018-19)
- FA Cup (Manchester City) – 1 time (2018-19)
- EFL Cup (Manchester City) – 5 times (2013-14, 2015-16, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20)
- Community Shield (Manchester City) – 3 times (2012, 2018, 2019)
- UEFA Europa League (Atletico Madrid) – 1 time (2009-10)
- UEFA Super Cup (Atletico Madrid) – 1 time (2010)
- La Liga (Atletico Madrid) – 1 time (2013-14)
- Copa del Rey (Barcelona) – 1 time (2021-22)
- Other significant achievements:
- Premier League Golden Boot – 1 time (2014-15)
- PFA Team of the Year – 4 times (2014-15, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21)
- Premier League Player of the Month – 7 times
- Manchester City all-time leading goalscorer
- Argentina all-time third leading goalscorer
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.
Stats:
- Date of birth: January 23, 1984
- Nationality: Dutch
- Positions played: Right Winger, Left Winger
- Teams played for:
- FC Groningen (1996-2002, 2020-2021)
- PSV Eindhoven (2002-2004)
- Chelsea (2004-2007)
- Real Madrid (2007-2009)
- Bayern Munich (2009-2019)
- Trophies won:
- Eredivisie (Dutch League) – 3 times with PSV Eindhoven (2002, 2003, 2004)
- Premier League – 2 times with Chelsea (2005, 2006)
- FA Cup – 1 time with Chelsea (2007)
- La Liga – 1 time with Real Madrid (2008)
- Bundesliga – 8 times with Bayern Munich (2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
- DFB-Pokal (German Cup) – 5 times with Bayern Munich (2010, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2019)
- UEFA Champions League – 1 time with Bayern Munich (2013)
- FIFA Club World Cup – 1 time with Bayern Munich (2013)
- Other significant achievements:
- FIFA World Cup Runner-up – with the Netherlands (2010)
- UEFA Champions League Runner-up – with Bayern Munich (2010, 2012, 2018)
- UEFA European Championship Semi-finalist – with the Netherlands (2004)
- FIFA World Cup Semi-finalist – with the Netherlands (2014)
- UEFA European Championship Top Scorer – 2012
- Dutch Footballer of the Year – 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014
- German Footballer of the Year – 2010
- UEFA Best Forward – 2013
Robben was first spotted at Groningen, where he was player of the year in 2000-2001. He became Neherland’s Young Player of the Year two years later, winning the Eredivisie title with PSV.
2004 Chelsea signed Robben, who 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.
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.
Stats:
- Date of Birth: July 28, 1981
- Nationality: English
- Positions Played: Defensive Midfielder, Central Midfielder, Centre-Back
- Teams Played For:
- Wallsend Boys Club (1986-1989)
- Middlesbrough FC (1989-1997)
- West Ham United (1997-2004)
- Tottenham Hotspur (2004-2006)
- Manchester United (2006-2018)
- Trophies Won:
- Premier League (5 times with Manchester United: 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2012-13)
- FA Cup (1 time with Manchester United: 2015-16)
- League Cup (3 times with Manchester United: 2008-09, 2009-10, 2016-17)
- UEFA Champions League (1 time with Manchester United: 2007-08)
- FIFA Club World Cup (1 time with Manchester United: 2008)
- UEFA Europa League (1 time with Manchester United: 2016-17)
- Other Significant Achievements:
- Named in the PFA Team of the Year twice (2006-07, 2012-13)
- Won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award for Manchester United in 2012-13
- Played 34 times for the England national team
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 and Rooney became the only English players to win the Premier League title, the UEFA Champions League, the FA Cup, the League Cup, the UEFA Europa, the 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.
Stats:
- Date of birth: December 26, 1990
- Nationality: Welsh
- Positions played: Central Midfield, Attacking Midfield
- Teams played for:
- Cardiff City (Youth: 1999-2007; Senior: 2023-present)
- Arsenal (2008-2019)
- Juventus (2019-2021)
- Wales National Team (Debut: 2008)
- Trophies won:
- FA Cup (3 times) with Arsenal (2014, 2015, 2017)
- Community Shield (3 times) with Arsenal (2014, 2015, 2017)
- Welsh Cup (1 time) with Cardiff City (2023)
- Other significant achievements:
- UEFA European Championship Semi-finalist with Wales (2016)
- Arsenal Player of the Season (2013-14)
- Juventus Serie A title winner (2019-20, 2020-21)
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.
Marco Verratti
Italian international midfielder Marco Verratti has played his entire career for Paris Saint-Germain. Verratti joined Pescara’s senior team in 2008 from their development academy. He joined PSG in 2012 and has become one of the world’s top deep-lying playmakers. Verratti has won eight Ligue 1 titles, five Coupe de France titles, and six Coupe de la Ligue titles with PSG.
He helped Italy reach Euro 2020’s final at two European Championships and three World Cups. Verratti, respected for his ball control, passing range, and midfield work ethic, sets the tempo of games. After nearly a decade in Paris, he remained an important figure for both club and nation throughout his later career.
Stats:
- Date of Birth: November 5, 1992
- Nationality: Italian
- Positions Played: Central Midfield, Defensive Midfield
- Teams played for:
- Pescara (2008-2012)
- Paris Saint-Germain (2012-2023)
- Al-Arabi SC (2023-present)
- Trophies Won:
- With Paris Saint-Germain:
- Ligue 1: 7 times (2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20)
- Coupe de France: 5 times (2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2019-20)
- Coupe de la Ligue: 6 times (2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2019-20)
- Trophee des Champions: 7 times (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
- With Italy National Team:
- UEFA European Championship: 1 time (2020)
- With Paris Saint-Germain:
- Other significant achievements:
- Marco Verratti has been named to the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season multiple times.
- He has also been named in the Serie B Team of the Year in the 2011-12 season.
- Verratti has been a key player for both Paris Saint-Germain and the Italy national team, consistently delivering strong performances and contributing to their success.
Héctor Herrera
Houston Dynamo midfielder Héctor Herrera is Mexican. Pachuca’s youth system produced Herrera, who debuted professionally in 2010. He helped Porto win the Primeira Liga in 2018 after several successful seasons in Portugal. Before joining MLS in 2022, Herrera played for Atlético Madrid in Spain. He has almost 80 international caps for Mexico and played in three FIFA World Cups between 2014 and 2018.
Stats:
- Date of birth: April 19, 1990
- Nationality: Mexican
- Positions played: Central midfield, defensive midfield
- Teams played for:
- CF Pachuca (2008-2013)
- FC Porto (2013-2019)
- Atlético Madrid (2019-2022)
- Houston Dynamo FC (2022-present)
- Trophies won:
- CF Pachuca:
- Liga MX (1): 2010 Clausura
- CONCACAF Champions League (1): 2009-10
- FC Porto:
- Primeira Liga (3): 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20
- Taca de Portugal (2): 2018-19, 2019-20
- Supertaca Candido de Oliveira (2): 2018, 2019
- Atlético Madrid:
- La Liga (1): 2020-21
- Supercopa de España (1): 2020-21
- CF Pachuca:
- Other significant achievements:
- Named Liga MX Best Young Player: 2010
- Named Liga MX Best Midfielder: 2012
- Named Liga MX Best XI: 2012
- Named Primeira Liga Best Midfielder: 2018
- Named Primeira Liga Best XI: 2018, 2019
- Named CONCACAF Best XI: 2019
- Represented Mexico in the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups
- Mexican National Team captain
Herrera plays as a box-to-box midfielder or deeper midfielder due to his hard work and ball skills. At Porto, he became one of Mexico’s most important players and won multiple trophies. Herrera’s leadership and technical skills continue to benefit both clubs and the nation in the MLS.
Lars Bender
Lars Bender was a German defensive midfielder and right back. Most of his career was with Bayer Leverkusen, making over 300 games from 2008-2021. Bender was recognized for his tough, hard-working play and ability to stop opponents. He and his identical twin brother Sven Bender, who played for Leverkusen, made a versatile midfield combo. Lars Bender played 9 international caps for Germany between 2011-2017.
He helped Germany win the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. Lars and Sven Bender retired from professional soccer at age 32 in 2021, remaining healthy after stellar careers. His career ended with lower-league German team TSV Brannenburg.
Stats:
- Date of birth: April 27, 1989
- Nationality: German
- Positions played: Defensive Midfield, Right-Back, Right Midfield
- Teams played for and years:
- TSV Brannenburg (2021-present)
- Bayer Leverkusen (2009-2021)
- 1860 Munich (2006-2009)
- Trophies won:
- DFB-Pokal (German Cup): 1 time with Bayer Leverkusen in 2020
- DFL-Supercup: 1 time with Bayer Leverkusen in 2013
- Other significant achievements:
- 19 caps and 4 goals for the German national team
- Assistant Manager for Germany U16
- Twin brother of Sven Bender (Assistant Manager Germany U17)
Sven Bender
Former central defender and defensive midfielder Sven Bender is German. At Bayer Leverkusen, he and his identical twin brother Lars Bender had solid midfield and backline pairings for most of their careers. Born in Rosenheim, Germany, Bender joined 1860 Munich’s development academy and made his professional debut in 2009 before joining Leverkusen in 2010. He played almost 200 games and helped the club qualify for the Champions League multiple times.
Bender had eight Germany caps from 2014–2017. As with his brother, he helped Germany win the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2017. After excellent careers, Sven and Lars Bender retired from professional soccer at age 32 in 2021 while remaining healthy. He ended up with a German lower-league club, TSV Brannenburg.
Stats:
- Date of birth: April 27, 1989
- Nationality: Germany
- Positions played: Defensive Midfield, Centre-Back, Central Midfield
- Teams played for and years:
- TSV Brannenburg (2021-present)
- Bayer Leverkusen (2009-2021)
- Borussia Dortmund (2009-2017)
- TSV 1860 München (2006-2009)
- SpVgg Unterhaching (1999-2002)
- TSV Brannenburg (1993–1999)
- Trophies won and how many times each won:
- DFB-Pokal (German Cup) – 1 time with Borussia Dortmund (2011-2012)
- DFL-Supercup (German Super Cup) – 2 times with Borussia Dortmund (2013, 2014)
- UEFA Champions League – Runner-up with Borussia Dortmund (2012-2013)
- UEFA Europa League – Runner-up with Bayer Leverkusen (2019-2020)
- Other significant achievements:
- Played for the Germany national team, earning 7 caps
- Assistant Manager for Germany U16 national team
- Represented Germany at various youth levels (U21, U20, U19, U17)
These players, each with unique style and contributions, have made the number 16 jersey notable in soccer.
Share the post "Soccer Players With The Number 16 (Quality Players)"
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.
