Share the post "Soccer Players With The Number 20 (Top Players)"
Jersey 20 is normally not the first choice. Players not anticipated to make the initial 11 are a reserve. Number 20 soccer players don’t seem to threaten the team. Some players have reversed this. They’ve donned the number 20 jersey and established themselves as a force, not just squad members. This section will highlight players who have excelled despite having a this number. We’ll examine:
- International career
- Club career
- Records and achievements
Read on and learn more about how these soccer players with the number 20 bucked a trend and created their own legacy.
The Best Soccer Players With Number 20
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the current manager of Manchester United and a former professional footballer from Norway. Solskjaer spent the majority of his playing career with Manchester United, where he became a fan favorite owing to his scoring abilities and tendency for scoring key goals off the bench. Solskjaer led United to six Premier League titles and two FA Cups with 126 goals in 366 games.
Stats:
- Date of birth: February 26, 1973
- Nationality: Norwegian
- Teams played for:
- Clausenengen FK (youth club, 1980-1990)
- Molde FK (1995-1996)
- Manchester United (1996-2007)
- Positions played: Centre-Forward, Second Striker, Right Winger
- Trophies won:
- Premier League (6 times)
- FA Cup (2 times)
- League Cup (4 times)
- UEFA Champions League (1 time)
- Intercontinental Cup (1 time)
- FIFA Club World Cup (1 time)
- FA Community Shield (6 times)
- Other significant achievements:
- Scored the winning goal in the UEFA Champions League final in 1999
- Norwegian Footballer of the Year (1996, 2003)
- PFA Premier League Team of the Year (2003)
- Inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame (2008)
- Currently the manager of Manchester United.
He memorably scored the game-winning goal against Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final. Solskjaer led Molde FK in Norway after retiring as a player before being chosen temporary manager of Manchester United in 2018, where he staged a remarkable turnaround to end the season impressively. He was named full-time manager in 2019.
As Manchester United manager, Solskjaer has encountered obstacles in restoring the club to regular title contention following Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure. While unable to win United’s first trophy since 2017, Solskjaer has brought through several academy players. He promotes offensive football and restoring the club’s culture of internal promotion.
Solskjaer was equally successful at Molde, where he won two league crowns as well as the Norwegian Football Cup. While the Manchester United job remains his toughest test to date, Solskjaer’s experience with the club and emphasis on young development will be crucial in the club’s ongoing rebuilding.
![Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Baby-Faced Assassin [Best Goals]](https://soccerblade.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2Fx2jQZ_KXx5Q%2F0.jpg)
Bernardo Silva
Bernardo Silva is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for Manchester City and the Portugal national team as an offensive midfielder or winger. He rose through the Benfica junior system and made his professional debut in 2014. Silva joined Monaco in 2016 after two seasons with Benfica, where he helped the club win Ligue 1 and reach the Champions League semi-finals.
Stats:
- Date of birth: August 10, 1994
- Nationality: Portuguese
- Teams played for:
- SL Benfica (2002-2013)
- AS Monaco (2013-2017)
- Manchester City (2017-present)
- Positions played: Attacking Midfielder, Right Winger, Central Midfielder
- Trophies won:
- Premier League (Manchester City): 3 times (2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21)
- EFL Cup (Manchester City): 2 times (2017-18, 2018-19)
- FA Cup (Manchester City): 1 time (2018-19)
- Community Shield (Manchester City): 2 times (2018, 2019)
- Ligue 1 (AS Monaco): 1 time (2016-17)
- Coupe de la Ligue (AS Monaco): 1 time (2016-17)
- Taca de Portugal (SL Benfica): 1 time (2013-14)
- Taca da Liga (SL Benfica): 1 time (2013-14)
- Other significant achievements:
- UEFA European Championship winner with Portugal in 2016
- PFA Team of the Year (Premier League) in 2018-19
- UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season in 2016-17 with AS Monaco
- UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament in 2016
- UEFA Nations League winner with Portugal in 2019
- UEFA European Under-17 Championship top scorer in 2011
- Portuguese Golden Ball winner in 2018
His outstanding performances earned him a £43 million transfer to Manchester City in 2017. Silva has established himself as an important player at City, winning three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, and four League Cups. He is well-known for his imagination, close ball control, work rate, and ability to identify openings between the lines.
Silva has made almost 50 appearances for Portugal since his debut in 2015. He was a member of their side that won the UEFA Euro 2016 on home soil, as well as the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups. Despite starting on the bench in many key games, Silva has established himself as a game-changing substitute with his playmaking abilities.
At his best either playing centrally or on the right side of the attack, Silva combines exceptional technical ability and vision with a hard pressing style that makes him an indispensable member of any club he joins. Silva, widely regarded as one of the best playmakers in the world, remains an important player for Manchester City and Portugal.
Gonzalo Higuain
Gonzalo Higuain is a professional footballer from Argentina who currently plays for Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer. He began his career with River Plate in Argentina before joining Real Madrid in 2006. Higuain established himself as one of the world’s most prolific strikers during his time in Spain, scoring over 100 goals for Real Madrid and winning three La Liga titles.
Stats:
- Date of birth: December 10, 1987
- Nationality: Argentina
- Teams played for:
- River Plate (2004-2007)
- Real Madrid (2007-2013)
- Napoli (2013-2016)
- Juventus (2016-2020)
- AC Milan (loan, 2018-2019)
- Chelsea (loan, 2019-2020)
- Inter Miami CF (2020-2022)
- Positions played: Centre-Forward
- Trophies won:
- La Liga (2 times with Real Madrid)
- Copa del Rey (2 times with Real Madrid)
- Supercopa de España (1 time with Real Madrid)
- Serie A (2 times with Juventus)
- Coppa Italia (2 times with Juventus)
- Supercoppa Italiana (1 time with Juventus)
- Major League Soccer Supporters’ Shield (1 time with Inter Miami CF)
- Other significant achievements:
- Top scorer in Serie A (2015-2016 season)
- Top scorer in La Liga (2015-2016 season)
- Argentine Footballer of the Year (2016)
- Guinness World Record for most goals in a calendar year (36 goals in 2015)
He spent time on loan at Napoli and Juventus, where he set the Serie A single-season goalscoring record. Higuain joined Juventus on a permanent basis in 2016 and continued to score regularly, winning multiple Scudetto titles. Higuain has over 30 goals for Argentina and has represented them in three World Cups.
Despite criticism for his lack of performance in key games for Argentina, Higuain remains one of the most lethal finishers of his time. Now in the MLS with Inter Miami, he remains the team’s biggest goal threat. Higuain has demonstrated deadly finishing ability from both inside and outside the box throughout his career, as well as outstanding off-the-ball mobility to lose his markers.
Higuain’s enormous experience and goal-scoring reputation make him a tremendous asset for any side, even if he is past his peak. He’ll go down as one of the greatest Argentine attackers of all time, thanks to a trophy-laden career scoring goals in Europe’s top divisions.
![Gonzalo Higuain - "El Pipita" [Best Goals Ever]](https://soccerblade.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2F6bS2chN3nOg%2F0.jpg)
Deco
Deco is a retired Portuguese professional footballer of Brazilian origin who played as an attacking midfielder. He began his career with Corinthians in Brazil before heading to Europe and joining Porto in 1999. Deco enjoyed several great seasons with Porto, winning the Primeira Liga twice and the UEFA Champions League in 2003-04.
Stats:
- Date of birth: August 27, 1977
- Nationality: Portuguese/Brazilian
- Teams played for:
- Nacional São Paulo (youth club)
- Corinthians
- Salgueiros
- Benfica
- FC Porto
- Barcelona
- Chelsea
- Fluminense
- Positions played: Attacking Midfield, Right Winger, Central Midfield
- Trophies won:
- UEFA Champions League: 2 times (2003-04 with Porto, 2005-06 with Barcelona)
- UEFA Super Cup: 2 times (2004 with Porto, 2006 with Barcelona)
- FIFA Club World Cup: 1 time (2004 with Porto)
- Primeira Liga (Portuguese League): 3 times (1998-99, 2002-03, 2003-04 with Porto)
- Taça de Portugal (Portuguese Cup): 1 time (2002-03 with Porto)
- Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira (Portuguese Super Cup): 2 times (2003, 2004 with Porto)
- La Liga (Spanish League): 2 times (2004-05, 2005-06 with Barcelona)
- Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup): 1 time (2008-09 with Barcelona)
- Supercopa de España (Spanish Super Cup): 2 times (2005, 2006 with Barcelona)
- FA Cup: 2 times (2009-10, 2011-12 with Chelsea)
- Premier League: 1 time (2009-10 with Chelsea)
- Other significant achievements:
- UEFA European Championship: Runner-up in 2004 with Portugal
- FIFA World Cup: Reached the semi-finals in 2006 with Portugal
His outstanding performances earned him a lucrative trade to Barcelona in 2004. Deco and Ronaldinho forged a powerful midfield partnership at Barcelona, helping the club win two La Liga titles and the Champions League in 2005-06. He joined Chelsea in 2008 and played two seasons in the Premier League. Deco was also an important member of the Portuguese national squad, appearing over 60 times and representing the country at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup.
Deco was known for his creativity, ball control, and passing ability, and he excelled at finding gaps between the lines and connecting attacks via the middle. While he was not the most athletic player, he made up for it with football intellect and technique. During his time at Porto and Barcelona, Deco was a key figure in both clubs’ success.
He provided a flair and imagination to their playmaking that was vital. Deco, widely regarded as one of the best Portuguese players of his time, had a trophy-laden career at the highest levels before retiring in 2012 following one more season back in Brazil with Fluminense.
Over the years, some legendary players have worn the number 20 shirt. From Portuguese superstars to Premier League legends, midfielders and defenders have all found success wearing the number 20. While it may not have the same prestige as other numbers, it has produced several world-class performers. The number 20 shirt has been worn by players who have the ability to dominate games with their abilities, work rate, and goal contributions, ranging from veterans to rising stars. Its history serves as a reminder that any number can become iconic due to a player’s performance on the field.
Share the post "Soccer Players With The Number 20 (Top 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.
