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We all know that famous number 11 football players have lit up the game with flair and skill. The shirt once belonged only to left-wingers but has since moved beyond that old rule. Young and old fans will speak of the famous number 11 football players when they remember plane rides down the flank or perfect crosses from the touchline. Each time we see a player wearing eleven, we recall stories of how that number signified speed, trickery, and joy in football. When someone mentions famous number 11 football players today, they often refer to athletes who blend creativity with goal threat.
Seeing the jersey with eleven makes us think of heroes who once ran free on grass fields. The famous number 11 football players remind us of moments when a single run or dribble changed the fate of a match. No longer limited to one role, the number eleven now sits proudly on the backs of stars in every position.
History of the Number 11 Shirt
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Long ago, famous number 11 football players wore the shirt to show their role on the left wing. In those early days, a coach gave the number based on a fixed place in the formation. Left-sided attackers used it to show they would run past defenders and send in fearless crosses. Those first legends created a legacy for the eleven shirt that still echoes in old matchbooks and fading photos.
As time passed, the squad number system changed and opened space for new ideas about eleven. Modern managers let players choose freely, and the number now belongs to forwards, wide men, and midfield magicians alike. This freedom of choice brought a wave of fresh talent where famous number 11 football players stood out for their unique style. A single digit turned into a badge of creativity.
Criteria for Our Ranking
To rank the ten most famous number 11 football players, we looked at each star’s goals and assists tally. We counted the key moments when they struck in finals, cup deciders, and tight league matches. This simple counting helped us see who scored often and who made the most clever passes. Every figure on our list left a clear mark on the game with their scoring touch and ability to set up team mates in golden moments.
A ranked list of the 10 famous number 11 football players
we also weighed a player’s impact in big games and lasting memory among fans. We saw who stood firm in pressure, lifted trophies, and stayed loyal to one club or country over many seasons.
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10. Ángel Di María
Ángel Di María, one of the famous number 11 football players, was born in Rosario, Argentina, on February 14, 1988. He began his journey at Rosario Central’s youth academy, where his flair for flashy runs and precise crosses became clear. His early steps into top football came when he moved to Benfica, marking a swift rise in Portugal.
Over the years, Di María wore the number eleven shirt at clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, and now Juventus. In 710 matches across these teams, he found the net 162 times and provided 251 assists. Such figures underline why we include him among famous number 11 football players.
9. Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale stands tall among the famous number 11 football players. Born on July 16, 1989, in Cardiff, Wales, he burst onto the scene with lightning pace and a fierce left foot. His time with Tottenham Hotspur saw him rip open defences with solo runs that left fans breathless. Bale’s heroics for Wales to reach a World Cup inspired a generation of British players to believe in the power of speed and skill.
He went on to become a leading figure at Real Madrid, where he struck stunning goals in Champions League finals. In 554 club appearances, Bale scored 186 times and set up 137 more goals. After spells with Los Angeles FC and returning to Tottenham, the right winger ended his career with memories that echo in football folklore. His record of goals and assists confirms why he ranks among famous number 11 football players today.
8. Marco Reus
Marco Reus has become a key figure among the famous number 11 football players through his loyalty to Borussia Dortmund. Born in Dortmund, Germany, on May 31, 1989, he stayed at the club despite temptations from bigger sides. His loyalty spoke volumes about his bond with both fans and the city. Reus showed his quality by combining joyous dribbles with a fine eye for goal in the Bundesliga.
Through 575 matches for Dortmund, Reus scored 228 goals and provided 152 assists, making him a creative force and a reliable scorer. Even when injuries tested his resolve, his return to the pitch brought a fresh burst of energy. The Westfalenstadion shook as he danced past opponents, and every assist he made added to his legend. These feats cement his status as one of the truly famous number 11 football players in modern times.
7. Miroslav Klose
Miroslav Klose, another name on our list of famous number 11 football players, was born on June 9, 1978, in Opole, Poland, and later became a German icon. Renowned as the World Cup’s all-time top scorer, Klose walked onto the pitch with calm confidence and a deadly touch. His record of 258 career goals and 134 assists in 668 club games shows how he blended intelligence with instinct in front of goal.
He played for Werder Bremen, Kaiserslautern, Bayern Munich, and Lazio, winning league titles and cup finals in each place. Klose scored vital goals for Bayern Munich to lift Bundesliga trophies and for Lazio to claim Italian glory. His poise under pressure and simple finishing style made him beloved by fans across Europe. Whenever the name of famous number 11 football players comes up, his record at the World Cup and in club finals shines as a guiding light.
6. Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah, listed among famous number 11 football players, was born on June 15, 1992, in Nagrig, Egypt. He rose from local clubs to the world stage with FC Basel and Fiorentina before arriving at Liverpool. The Egyptian King quickly won hearts with dazzling dribbles and a hunger for goals that drove him to break club and league records.
In 544 matches, Salah scored 255 goals and assisted 127 more while wearing the number eleven shirt. His decisive strikes in the Champions League and Premier League seasons gave Liverpool long-awaited titles and joy. Salah’s sharp runs and tireless work rate transformed him into a modern legend. His path from Egypt to European glory earns him a secure place among famous number 11 football players of our age.
5. Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba, known as one of the famous number 11 football players, was born on May 11, 1978, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. He carried the hopes of his nation onto the field with a mix of power and grace. For Chelsea, Drogba scored 302 goals and provided 125 assists in 688 appearances, becoming a finals specialist who could turn the tide with a single header or strike.
Beyond Stamford Bridge, he wore the eleven shirt in France, Turkey, China, the United States, and Canada. Each new team saw Drogba’s fierce will to score and ability to galvanize teammates. He won league titles and cup finals across continents, leaving a trail of memories wherever he played. His long list of achievements makes him an unmissable name when we talk about famous number 11 football players in modern history.
4. Francisco Gento
Francisco Gento, a trailblazer among famous number 11 football players, was born on October 21, 1933, in Guarnizo, Spain. He spent eighteen seasons with Real Madrid, winning a staggering six European Cups and twelve league titles. His pace on the left wing and clever crosses made him a nightmare for defenders across Europe.
In 552 appearances for Real Madrid and Racing Santander, Gento scored 184 goals and assisted three more. His records stood unchallenged for decades, and his legacy as one of football’s great wingers remains secure. Fans still remember his celebrations after every big win, and his memory lives on in the halls of the Bernabéu. Few have matched his blend of success and longevity, which is why we name him among the greatest famous number 11 football players of all time.
3. Romário
Romário, one of the iconic famous number 11 football players, was born on January 29, 1966, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His lethal finishing and clever runs made him a centre-forward with true magic in his boots. A World Cup winner in 1994, Romário claimed the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, sealing his status among world legends.
At club level, Romário played for PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Valencia, Vasco da Gama, and Adelaide United. In 245 appearances, he scored 184 goals and added 35 assists. His sharp instincts in the box let him convert half chances into goals with ease. His record and style place him high on any list of famous number 11 football players ever to grace the game.
2. Rivaldo
Rivaldo, ranking second among famous number 11 football players in our list, was born on April 19, 1972, in Paulista, Brazil. He shone with flair and vision in midfield and attack, claiming the Ballon d’Or in 1999 for his immense talent.
His journey took him from Palmeiras and Deportivo de La Coruña to AC Milan and Barcelona. In 534 club games, Rivaldo scored 234 goals and assisted 93 more, matching his elegant play with concrete numbers. Each goal was a work of art, each assist a moment of unity with teammates. His impact on matches and trophies won with Brazil and top European clubs secure his place near the summit of famous number 11 football players throughout history.
1. Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs sits at the top of our list of famous number 11 football players. Born on November 29, 1973, in Cardiff, Wales, he spent his entire professional career at Manchester United. In 949 appearances, he scored 164 goals and made a record 251 assists in the Premier League. Giggs won thirteen Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and two Champions League trophies during his time at United. His longevity and loyalty stand as a testament to a career built on consistency, class, and humble dedication to one club. Each assist added to his record. As the most famous number 11 football player of all time, he shines as the ultimate embodiment of the eleven shirt’s magic.
Conclusion
These ten stars remind us why famous number 11 football players capture our imagination. From Gento’s six European Cups to Giggs’s record assists, each name contributed to the glowing legacy of the eleven jersey. The players on this list all wore the same number but dazzled in their own unique way, showing skill that still echoes in stadiums around the world.
As we look at their goals, assists, and trophies, we see the shared thread of creative flair and fearlessness. The famous number 11 football players on our list showed that a simple shirt number can become a symbol of joy, unity, and triumph. Their stories will inspire every young player who dreams of running down the wing with eleven on their back.