In soccer, the number 8 jersey remains one of the most iconic. Some of the players we idolized graced the jersey.
So who are the standout players in the sport’s history to have worn the number 8? After digging through the trenches, we’ve found some interesting names.
Some of these names are still active in the game, while others have retired. Although many wore the iconic number, only a few took the game by storm.
1. Andrés Iniesta
Andrés Iniesta is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time. The Spaniard is known for his ability in the middle of the park and his leadership as a captain.
He spent most of his football career at FC Barcelona, winning up to four UEFA Champions League titles. He also won the LaLiga, Copa del Rey, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
At the international level, Iniesta was in the 2010 Spanish team that won the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
He also won two European Football Championships. He has earned several awards and made the FIFA FIFPro World11 nine times.
Iniesta remains relevant in world football and is among the best players ever. He is one of the most famous players to wear the number 8 jersey.
2. Hristo Stoichkov
Hristo Stoichkov is a Bulgarian known to be one of the most prolific forwards in the sport. Most notably, he played for CSKA Sofia and FC Barcelona.
In Spain, he won the Spanish La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League and also went on to win the Ballon d’Or and the European Golden Shoe.
3. Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard is one of the greatest players in Chelsea’s history and midfielders of his generation. The Englishman is famously known for his ability to score goals from outside the box.
Lampard is a technically gifted box-to-box midfielder who can confidently play the offensive role. He began his career and later moved on to Chelsea.
His arrival at Chelsea heralded a new beginning as he helped the club to major trophies, including the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Europa League. Fans would hardly forget his role at the club.
Lampard also played for Manchester City and MLS side New York City FC. He made the FIFPro World XI in 2005 and was later inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2021.
4. Gennaro Gattuso
Gennaro Gattuso played as a defensive midfielder, famously for AC Milan. He is also capable of playing as a winger.
Gattuso is known for his role at AC Milan in the mid2000s as the club won two Champions League titles, the FIFA Club World Cup, Coppa Italia, the Italian Serie A twice and was later inducted into the AC Milan Hall of Fame in 2017.
At the international level, he won the 2006 FIFA World Cup with the Italian Men’s National team on home soil. He made the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team in 2006.
5. George best
George Best, one of the greatest Northern Irish footballers of all time, is one of the famous names to have worn the number 8 jersey. He played most of his career at Manchester United.
He is regarded as one of the greatest players ever and was a good ball dribbler. He can also utilize both feet with a good pace and the ability to score goals.
6. Juninho Pernambucan
Juninho Pernambucano is known for his ability to take good free kicks. He is often regarded as a dead-ball specialist, especially for his bending free kicks
He is the player with the most free-kick goals in football history. He is also considered one of the greatest free kick-takers in football.
Juninho Pernambucano played for some of the biggest football clubs, including Vasco da Gama and Olympique Lyon. At the French club, he won the French Ligue 1 for seven consecutive seasons.
At the international level, he represented Brazil and won the FIFA Confederations Cup.
7. Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos is arguably one of the best midfielders of all time. The German footballer is known for his creativity, set-piece ability, and perfect crossing abilities, distinguishing him from other players.
Originally, Kroos plays as a central midfielder, but he is also comfortable playing as a deep-lying playmaker.
Toni Kroos spent six seasons with Bayern Munich and won ten trophies, including the German Bundesliga, German Cup, UEFA Champions League, Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
A year after his successful career at Bayern, Toni Kroos moved to Real Madrid. He has also won numerous trophies, including the Champions League, becoming one of the five players to lift the titles. He’s also won the LaLiga, Copa del Rey, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
8. Kaka
Kaka is one of the best attacking midfielders of all time. As a playmaker, he was creative and was good at passing, goal-scoring, and dribbling.
He is famously known for his role at AC Milan, where he won the Serie A, the Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
He also played for Real Madrid, winning the Spanish La Liga and the Copa del Rey in four years.
Kaka was at his best internationally, representing the Brazilian Men’s National team. He won the FIFA World Cup in 2002 and two FIFA Confederations Cups.
He was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 2007 and the FIFA World Player of the Year in the same year.
9. Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard is described as one of the best players of his generation. He was a very talented player whose level of productivity brought many trophies to Liverpool.
Thus earning him recognition as one the greatest players in the club’s history.
Steven Gerrard is among the most famous players in the number 8 jersey.
The Englishman is known for his leadership role and brilliance in the midfield for Liverpool throughout his years at the club.
He won the Champions League with Liverpool, the UEFA Super Cup, League Cup, and FA Cup. He later went on to join MLS side LA Galaxy towards the end of his football career.
10. Fredrik Ljungberg
Fredrik Ljungberg is one of the best players in the history of Arsenal. The Swede spent over nine seasons with the London club, winning the Premier League and FA cup.
He was inspiring and was a leader in the midfield for Arsenal. Ljungberg was also part of the 2003–04 Arsenal F.C. season that finished the season unbeaten and acquired the nickname ‘The Invincible.’
His performance for Arsenal made him one of the fan favourite, and he eventually earned the nickname “Freddie” and “Kid Vicious.”