Remembering the Name on the Back

They say if you play for the name on the front of the shirt, they’ll remember the name on the back. For thousands of footballers across generations their career flies by and before they know it they are simply part of forgotten football history. But for some however, things are very different.

A select special few with ability beyond comprehension not only go on to win trophies, big contracts and all the fame that comes with it, they leave a legacy. Here we take a look at those shirt numbers that will forever be synonymous with certain stars of the last 20 years.

David Beckham #7 (England 1996-2009)

Mention football in certain parts of the world and the first name you’ll hear is David Beckham. Be it at Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, PSG or AC Milan the man with an inch perfect cross is remembered by supporters across universal football. But perhaps it’s in an England shirt where he made most of an impact. Part of the English golden generation he would not go on to pick up silverware, yet would have a number of epic moments. One game in particular against Greece where his last gasp free-kick sent the Three Lions to the 2002 World Cup stands out. Not matter if he wears the number 10, 23 or 32, Beckham will always be remembered as England’s number seven.

Ronaldinho #10 (Barcelona 2003-2008)

The man who inspired a generation of footballers, Ronaldinho put the smile back on football’s face. The Brazilian who admitted he watches his famous skills back on YouTube has an arsenal of tricks which has entertained fans since his days playing for Gremio in 1998. But it was at Barcelona that the attacker thrived, arriving from PSG having already won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002. His performances for Barca began a revolution which saw the Catalans thrive season upon season and eventually see the rise of Ronaldinho’s successor to the number 10, Lionel Messi. Perhaps Ronnie’s most memorable game came in a 3-0 demolition of Real Madrid at the Bernabeu recieving a standing ovation from the home support, as well as a 2006 Champions League win over Arsenal.

Steven Gerrard #8 (Liverpool 1998-2015)

One of Liverpool’s greatest sons alongside the likes of the Beatles, the former Liverpool midfielder almost did it all at Anfield. He’s scored enough iconic goals to last three or four careers let alone one, with the 2004/2005 season perhaps his greatest captaining his hometown club to the Champions League title in the greatest ever final against AC Milan, coming back from 3-0 down to win on penalties in Istanbul.  Gerrard picked up the man of the match after leading his side, scoring the first goal of the comeback. He’d go on to score goals in the FA Cup Final against West Ham United in 2006 but be remembered for having never won the Premier League, coming so close in 2014. In 2013 he was named top of the ‘100 Players who shook the Kop’ poll.

Zinedine Zidane #5 (Real Madrid 2001-2006)

 The French hot head Zidane has played across Europe for heavyweights such as Juventus but he will always be remembered for his five years at Los Blancos. Joining in 2001 he scored one of the most beautiful goals in Champions League Final history, with a stunning volley against Leverkusen at Hampden Park in 2002. He went on to win La Liga in 2003 and was the lynchpin in a midfield with the likes of Beckham and Luis Figo.

Alan Shearer #9 (Newcastle United 1996-2006)

Alan Shearer is the ultimate English Premier League striker, and defined what the number nine means in the UK. One of the greatest finishers of the modern era playing for three Premier League clubs, he’ll forever be associated with all of them for separate reasons. He began life moving from his native Newcastle to Southampton as a youngster, turning out 188 times for the Saints after breaking into the first team. He’d leave for Blackburn Rovers who set the trend for smaller sides shocking the world by winning the title in 1995. He’d move on to Newcastle, his boyhood club in 1996 and remain for ten years, scoring a toal of 204 goals as the EPL’s all-time record goal scorer. One key moment saw a wonder volley from range against Everton which is often named in the top ten greatest goals in the league.

Raul #7 (Real Madrid 1994-2010)

A different breed of attacker, Raul Gonzalez is idolised by supporters and professional players alike worldwide. Famed for the number seven shirt with Real Madrid, nobody can dispute the ability of the Spanish starlet. Raul remains the all-time La Liga top goalscorer and Real Madrid top scorer having made over 600 appearances for Madrid. Several titles including the UCL came for the forward having scored in the Final in the 2002 Final. He would go on to win trophies in Germany, Qatar and the United States with the ‘Angel of Madrid’ finishing his career on 388 goals.