Soccer players with number 4: ranking exceptional soccer players wearing the legendary jersey

Several talented ‌soccer players with number 4 jerseys are actively playing or retired. Jersey numbers are integral to the sport, helping fans identify with their favourite players. The number 4 is associated with strength, leadership, and toughness. Read on as we delve into the list of exceptional players who wear the jersey number.

What is number 4 in soccer? In football positioning, the central defender or centre-back wears this jersey, previously worn by the sweeper or libero. Usually, the team captain or vice-captain holds the position. Who are the famous soccer players with number 4 jerseys?

Top soccer players with number 4

Numerous footballers adorning this jersey number have risen to become exceptional in the sport. Several online sources have ranked these individuals based on popularity, achievements, and experience. Here are the top 10 soccer players with number 4 jerseys:

10. Marquinhos

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• Full name: Marcus Vinicius Oliveira Alencar
• Date of birth: April 7, 2003
• Nationality: Brazillian
• Team: Paris Saint-Germain

Marcus Vinicius, famously known as Marquinhos, is a Brazilian number 4 jersey holder. The 20-year-old started his career at eight and made his professional debut in 2021 with São Paulo. The football player also represents the Brazil national team. He won the 2023 Pan American Games with his country's Under-23 team.

9. Ronald Araujo

• Full name: Ronald Federico Araújo da Silva
• Date of birth: March 7, 1999
• Nationality: Uruguayan
• Team: F.C Barcelona

Ronald Araujo is a famous number 4 in football and is regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the world. The 24-year-old played for Barcelona's youth team before being promoted to the senior team. In July 2023, he was announced as the team's third captain. Ronald won a silver medal with the Uruguay Under-20 team at the South America Games in 2018.

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8. Ismael Bennacer

• Full name: Ismaël Bennacer
• Date of birth: December 1, 1997
• Nationality: French
• Team: AC Milan

Algerian player Ismaël Bennacer is among the best number 4 players of all time. He plays for AC Milan and his country's national team. Bennacer has appeared in three editions of the African Cup of Nations and was named Player of the Tournament in 2019, the year Algeria won their first title in 29 years.

7. Phil Jones

• Full name: Philip Anthony Jones
• Date of birth: February 21, 1992
• Nationality: English
• Team: Manchester United

Phil Jones is one of the English soccer players with number 4. He is a free agent who played for Manchester United (2011-2023) and Blackburn Rovers (2009-2011). Jones also plays for the England national team and participated in the UEFA Euro 2012 and the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups. He also won the FA Community Shield with Manchester United in 2011 and 2013.

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6. Matthijs de Ligt

• Full name: Matthijs de Ligt
• Date of birth: August 12, 1999
• Nationality: Dutch
• Team: Bayern Munich

Matthijs de Ligt is one of the Dutch football players with the number 4. He is one of the best defenders worldwide who plays for Bayern Munich and the Netherlands national team. Ligt made history in 2017 while playing with Jong Ajax when he became the youngest player ever to appear in a major European final during a match against Manchester United in the Europa League final.

5. Ben White

• Full name: Benjamin William White
• Date of birth: October 8, 1997
• Nationality: English
• Team: Arsenal F.C

Arsenal's Ben White is among the famous number 4 soccer players. The defender started his senior career in 2016 with Brighton & Hove Abion. The English player transferred to Arsenal in 2021 at a fee of £58.5 million, making him the club's most expensive defender. He was named the Brighton & Hove Albion Player of the Season in 2020/2021 and won the FA Community Shield with Arsenal in 2023.

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4. Kalvin Phillips

• Full name: Kalvin Mark Phillips
• Date of birth: December 2, 1995
• Nationality: English
• Team: Manchester City

Kalvin Phillips is one of the players with the number 4 in soccer, playing as a defensive midfielder for Manchester City and the England national team. He attended Leeds Academy and spent his early career with Leeds United (2010-2022).

The English player started playing as a midfielder, but his coach changed him to a defensive midfielder before the 2018/2019 season with Leeds. Phillips was named the England Men's Player of the Year in 2020/2021 and won the 2023 UEFA Cup with ManCity.

3. David Alaba

• Full name: David Olatukunbo Alaba
• Date of birth: June 24, 1992
• Nationality: Austrian
• Team: Real Madrid

David Alaba plays for Real Madrid and is the captain of the Austrian national team. The athlete, one of the top soccer players with number 4, previously played for Bayern Munich, where he made 400 appearances. He debuted with the Austrian national team at 17 in 2009, making him the second youngest player to compete in the senior team. Alaba was the Austrian Footballer of the Year in 2013 and 2014 and named the FIFA FIFPro World11 in 2011.

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2. Virgil Van Dijk

• Full name: Virgil van Dijk
• Date of birth: July 8, 1991
• Nationality: Dutch
• Team: Liverpool F.C

Virgil is a Dutch defender who wears number 4 in soccer. He is the captain and centre-back for English Premiere League's Liverpool and the Netherlands national team. The 32-year-old is the only defender to win the UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award (2028/2019). The athlete helped Liverpool break a 3-year Premier League drought when they won the cup in 2019/2020.

1. Sergio Ramos

• Full name: Sergio Ramos García
• Date of birth: March 30, 1986
• Nationality: Spanish
• Team: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Spain's national team

Spanish defender Sergio Ramos is one of the most famous soccer players with the number 4 jersey. He is Spain's national team and former Real Madrid team captain. Ramos is the most capped Spanish national team player and the country's ninth-highest all-time goalscorer. The athlete holds the record for Spain's most international victories (131) and has been named to the FIFPro World 11 11 times.

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The best number 4 players of all time

Various football legends adorned jersey number 4 during their active careers. These sports personalities have earned a significant place in the sport's history and are remembered for the number they represented the best way they knew. Here are some of the all-time best soccer players with number 4:

• Patrick Vieira
• Pep Guardiola
• Claude Makelele
• Cesc Fabregas
• Fernando Hierro

Final word

These soccer players with number 4 jerseys play a crucial role in their teams' defensive line. Started in the 1920s by Herbert Chapman, the Arsenal manager, the numbering system brought order to the teams and athletes. The apparel goes a long way in establishing an athlete's identity and career, and most are retired after a player exits a team.

READ ALSO: Famous soccer players with number 12

Sports Brief published an article listing famous footballers who wear the number 12 jersey. The number 12 represents the first substitute on the bench, usually the backup goalkeeper. Who are some of these athletes?

Real Madrid's Marcelo is among the top number 12s, ranking among the best left-backs in soccer history. Oliver Giroud has played for clubs like Arsenal and AC Milan and takes the second spot. Check out the above article for the complete list of outstanding number 12 jersey wearers in today's football scene.