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Over the years, some highly talented footballers have worn the number 18 shirt. While not as famous as single-digit or ‘classic’ numbers, the number 18 shirt has had success in a variety of positions and competitions. Number 18s have performed a variety of roles. This article will look at some of the best and most noteworthy soccer players throughout history who have worn the number 18 jersey with distinction.
- Brief history
- Career
- Awards and accolades
Let’s take the adventure together into the world of soccer and unearth the legendary soccer players with the number 18, both active and from the archives, and learn more about them.
The Best Soccer Players With Number 18
Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes is a retired English professional footballer who spent his entire career as a center midfielder for Manchester United from 1994 to 2013. He was known for his passing ability, game intelligence, and ability to score goals from long distances. Scholes appeared in nearly 700 games for Manchester United, scoring 155 goals and winning 11 Premier League crowns and two UEFA Champions Leagues.
Stats:
- Date of birth: November 16, 1974
- Nationality: English
- Teams played for:
- Manchester United (Youth career: 1991-1994, Senior career: 1994-2013)
- Salford City (Owner, currently working)
- Positions played:
- Central Midfield
- Defensive Midfield
- Attacking Midfield
- Trophies won:
- Premier League: 11 times (1995-96, 1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2012-13)
- FA Cup: 3 times (1995-96, 1998-99, 2003-04)
- League Cup: 2 times (2005-06, 2008-09)
- UEFA Champions League: 2 times (1998-99, 2007-08)
- FIFA Club World Cup: 1 time (2008)
- Intercontinental Cup: 1 time (1999)
- FA Community Shield: 5 times (1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008)
- Other significant achievements:
- PFA Young Player of the Year: 1994-95, 1996-97
- PFA Team of the Year: 2002-03, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2009-10, 2010-11
- Premier League 20 Seasons Awards (1992-2012): Best Midfielder
- English Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2008
- FWA Tribute Award: 2013
In appreciation of his world-class performances in the middle of the park for Manchester United, he was chosen to the Premier League Team of the Decade (1990s and 2000s). Scholes was also a regular for the England national team, garnering 66 caps and scored 14 goals before quitting in 2004 to concentrate on his club career.
Scholes stood out for his exceptional soccer intelligence and skill despite his lack of speed or agility. He was an expert at finding space between the lines and connecting defense and offense with deft runs and precision passing. Scholes could also produce magnificent goals from outside the box, establishing him as one of the best long-range shooters of all time.
Scholes, widely regarded as one of the best English midfielders of all time, demonstrated consistency and quality throughout his Manchester United and England careers. He worked hard to become a complete midfielder and is known as one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s most significant players during the club’s great era.
Ashley Young
Ashley Young is an English professional footballer who plays for Everton as a winger or full-back. He progressed through the Watford youth system before joining Aston Villa in 2007, where he quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most dangerous wingers, helping the club reach the UEFA Cup final.
Stats:
- Date of Birth: July 9, 1985
- Nationality: English
- Teams Played for:
- Watford FC (1995-2007)
- Aston Villa (2007-2011)
- Manchester United (2011-2020)
- Inter Milan (2020-2021)
- Aston Villa (2021-2022)
- Everton (2023-present)
- Positions Played:
- Left-Back
- Right-Back
- Left Midfield
- Trophies Won:
- Premier League (4 times with Manchester United: 2012-13, 2013-14, 2017-18, 2019-20)
- FA Cup (1 time with Manchester United: 2015-16)
- EFL Cup (1 time with Manchester United: 2016-17)
- UEFA Europa League (1 time with Manchester United: 2016-17)
- FA Community Shield (4 times with Manchester United: 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017)
- FIFA Club World Cup (1 time with Manchester United: 2008)
- Other Significant Achievements:
- PFA Team of the Year (2010-11, 2011-12)
- Premier League Player of the Month (April 2008, December 2008, January 2009)
- Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year (2010-11)
- Aston Villa Player of the Year (2008-09, 2011-12)
- PFA Young Player of the Year (2008-09)
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship Golden Player (2009)
- England Player of the Year (2012)
- England U21 Player of the Year (2009)
Young’s outstanding play earned him a £17 million transfer to Manchester United in 2011. Young won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Europa League, and appeared in a Champions League final during his eight seasons at Old Trafford. Young, who primarily played as a winger, also filled in at full-back, demonstrating his versatility. He left United in 2020 to join Inter Milan, where he won Serie A in his debut season.
Young has been a near-constant for England since his debut in 2007, amassing over 50 caps. Young was frequently a squad player who filled in at various positions, but his work rate and ability to deliver from wide and deep areas made him a viable alternative. Now back in the Premier League with Everton, the 37-year-old continues to play regularly due to his experience and versatility.
Young exemplifies professionalism and longevity at the highest level for younger players. He has had an extremely successful career with Aston Villa, Manchester United, Inter Milan, and now Everton, spanning nearly two decades.
Kasey Keller
Kasey Keller is a retired American soccer player who competed in both Europe and Major League Soccer. Between 1990 and 2007, he gained over 100 caps for the United States national team as a goalie, appearing in three World Cups and the 1996 Olympics. Keller made his Bundesliga debut with Rayo Vallecano before playing almost a decade with Borussia Mönchengladbach and Leicester City.
Stats:
- Date of Birth: November 29, 1969
- Nationality: United States
- Teams played for:
- North Thurston High School
- FC Portland
- Millwall (1992-1996)
- Leicester City (1996-1999)
- Rayo Vallecano (1999-2001)
- Tottenham Hotspur (2001-2005)
- Borussia Mönchengladbach (2005-2007)
- Seattle Sounders FC (2009-2011)
- Positions played: Goalkeeper
- Trophies won:
- 1993 Football League Trophy with Millwall
- 1999 Football League Cup with Leicester City
- 2001 Football League Cup with Tottenham Hotspur
- 2001-02 UEFA Cup with Tottenham Hotspur
- 2010 U.S. Open Cup with Seattle Sounders FC
- 2010, 2011 MLS Supporters’ Shield with Seattle Sounders FC
- Significant achievements:
- 103 international caps for the United States national team
- Inducted into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame in 2015
- Named in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI in 2005
- Voted as the best goalkeeper in the history of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2013
As Leicester’s goalkeeper, he had remarkable success in the Premier League, guiding them to promotion in 1996-97. Keller then returned to Major League Soccer, where he was twice elected Goalkeeper of the Year while playing for the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Seattle Sounders.
Keller was well-known for his shot-stopping skills and goal-keeping leadership for both club and country. He held the men’s national team shutout record with 47 until Tim Howard broke it. Keller’s regular high-level achievements earned him the moniker “Captain America.” He has worked as a TV analyst and commentator covering soccer in the United States since retiring in 2009.
Keller was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2007 for his accomplishments as one of the best American goalkeepers of all time. Over two decades of playing professionally, he created a lasting legacy between the posts for both the USMNT and clubs in Europe and MLS.
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes is a Portuguese professional footballer who currently plays for Manchester United and the Portugal national team as an attacking midfielder. He began his career with Boavista in Portugal before going to Novara, Udinese, and Sampdoria in Italy. Fernandes then joined Sporting CP in 2017, where he quickly established himself as one of Europe’s top midfielders, netting 63 goals in 137 games across all competitions.
Stats:
- Date of birth: September 8, 1994
- Nationality: Portuguese
- Teams played for:
- Novara Calcio (2012-2013)
- Udinese Calcio (2013-2016)
- UC Sampdoria (2016-2017)
- Sporting CP (2017-2020)
- Manchester United (2020-present)
- Positions played: Midfielder, attacking midfielder
- Trophies won:
- Primeira Liga (Portuguese League): 2018-2019 (Sporting CP)
- Taça de Portugal (Portuguese Cup): 2018-2019 (Sporting CP)
- Taça da Liga (Portuguese League Cup): 2017-2018, 2018-2019 (Sporting CP)
- UEFA Nations League: 2018-2019 (Portugal)
- Other significant achievements:
- Primeira Liga Player of the Year: 2017-2018, 2018-2019 (Sporting CP)
- UEFA Europa League Top Scorer: 2019-2020 (Sporting CP)
- Manchester United Player of the Month: February 2020, March 2020, June 2020, November 2020, December 2020, February 2021, June 2021
- Premier League Player of the Month: November 2020, December 2020
His impressive performance won him a transfer to Manchester United in January 2020 for £46.6 million, with the possibility of an increase to £68 million. Fernandes has been directly involved in over 100 goals for United, receiving Player of the Year twice and helped the club win the Europa League in 2021.
Fernandes, known for his creativity, goal-scoring ability, and work-rate, has become a talismanic figure for Manchester United since his arrival. He has the vision and technical ability to find passes into the final third while also contributing goals from distance and set-pieces.
Fernandes sets a good example with his enthusiasm and determination, and he has been an important part of United’s rebuilding under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and now Erik ten Hag. Fernandes, who is still in his peak at the age of 28, is one of the first names on the squad sheet for both Manchester United and Portugal, having gained over 50 caps for his country.
Chris Wondolowski
Chris Wondolowski is a retired American professional soccer player who spent 18 seasons in Major League Soccer as a forward. From 2005 until 2019, he spent the most of his career with the San Jose Earthquakes, serving as captain for many years. With 171 career goals, Wondolowski holds the MLS record for most career goals scored.
Stats:
- Date of birth: January 28, 1983
- Nationality: United States
- Teams played for:
- San Jose Earthquakes (Major League Soccer)
- Positions played: Centre-Forward, Second Striker, Attacking Midfielder
- Trophies won:
- MLS Supporters’ Shield: 2012, 2015, 2016
- MLS Cup: 2012
- Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup: 2012
- Significant achievements:
- MLS All-Time Leading Goal Scorer: 181 goals
- MLS MVP: 2012
- MLS Golden Boot: 2010, 2012, 2013, 2019
- MLS Best XI: 2010, 2012, 2013, 2019
- US Soccer Athlete of the Year: 2012
In 2012, he set a single-season scoring record with 27 goals. Despite his MLS success, Wondolowski only received 17 caps for the US men’s national team between 2010 and 2014. He was a member of the 2014 World Cup roster but did not play any games.
Wondolowski’s success in MLS was due to his savvy box movement and clinical finishing abilities. He wasn’t the fastest or most athletic player, but he had an amazing ability to be in the right spot at the right time to score goals. Wondolowski’s poaching instinct served him well throughout his career.
He remained a reliable scorer well into his 30s before retiring as one of the most prolific MLS goal scorers in history in 2020. Wondolowski is still a fan favorite in San Jose, where he holds the single-season and all-time scoring records.
Many excellent players have worn the number 18 jersey over the years in various leagues and national teams. The number 18 has shown to be successful for players of all positions. Recent performers such as Bruno Fernandes have continued on the legacy. While it may not have the same cache as other numbers, the number 18 has been continuously worn by quality players. The number has signified both veterans who have thrived for decades and budding stars. According to this source, players who have worn the number 18 have wowed with their skills, work rate, and achievements regardless of era. Its history demonstrates that any number may become iconic through a player.
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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.
