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A list of 10 of the best number 14 soccer players in the history of the sport
Ciku Njuguna
April 18, 2024 at 11:19 AM
In this article:
Football shirt numbers are crucial in identifying and separating roles in active play. The evolution of number 14 began with football legend and the face of Total Football, Hendrik Johannes Cruyff. Dig into this detailed account of the best number 14 soccer players and their achievements.
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Table of Сontents:
What does the number 14 in football mean? Many soccer experts and enthusiasts regard number 14 soccer players as the brains of the operation during matches. To create a comprehensive list of the best players to wear number 14 in football, Sports Brief has used credible sources such as players' profiles on Transfermarkt, Footy247 and other historical archives.
Best number 14 soccer players
Who are the best number 14 soccer players in the history of soccer? Since Cruyff's days in the number 14 shirt, numerous players have worn the same number. These include retired and active players such as Thierry Henry, Ng’olo Kante, Xabi Alonso and more. This article provides an analysis of their teams, performances and statistics. Who wears number 14 in soccer?
What soccer players have worn the number 14 jersey?
Besides the traditional eleven numbers in football, the number 14 position seems misplaced without a specific role. However, it is mainly worn by midfielders who have distinguished themselves as deep-lying playmakers. Here is a summary of the most famous number 14 soccer players.
Player | Playing status |
Alexander Isak | Active |
Andrei Kanchelskis | Retired |
Javier Mascherano | Retired |
Diego Simeone | Retired |
Guti | Retired |
Casemiro | Active |
Xabi Alonso | Retired |
N’Golo Kanté | Active |
Thierry Henry | Retired |
Johan Cruyff | - |
10. Alexander Isak
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Alexander Isak
- Date of birth: September 21, 1999
- Age: 24 years as of April 2024
- Titles won in the jersey: 2016/17 German Cup, 2019/20 Spanish Cup
Alexander Isak is one of the current football players with jersey number 14. The forward plays for Premier League club Newcastle United and the Swedish national team.
In his Transfermarkt stats, the number marked his entry into international football in Sweden's Under-17 squad in 2015/16 and 2020/21. The centre-forward has worn the number while playing for AIK, Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle United.
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9. Andrei Kanchelskis
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- Full name: Andrei Antanasovich Kanchelskis
- Date of birth: January 23, 1969
- Age: 55 years as of April 2024
- Titles won in the jersey: 1992/93, 1993/94 Premier League Champion
Former Russian football player Andrei Kanchelskis is a football manager for the Muras United Dzhalal-Abad, a Kyrgyzstani club. During his active playing time, he wore the number 14 jersey for Manchester United between 1992 and 1995. Speaking to the Athletic, he revealed his love for the jersey number, saying,
"My favourite was always 14. When number 7 was given to me, I did not say anything. Everyone else feared it because of how great Matt Le Tissier was. I did not have a problem with wearing it after Matt. He will always be the club’s greatest number 7, and he deserves that. He was a great, great player."
8. Javier Mascherano
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- Full name: Javier Alejandro Mascherano
- Date of birth: June 8, 1984
- Age: 39 years as of April 2024
- Titles won in the jersey: Champions League (2), FIFA Club World Cup (2), Spanish Champion (5), UEFA Supercup (2), Spanish Cup (5)
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Jefecito is one of the best number 14 soccer players. Between 2011 and 2020, he wore the jersey for various teams, such as FC Barcelona, Hebei FC, Club Estudiantes de La Plata, and the Argentinian national football team between 2007 and 2018.
7. Diego Simeone
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- Full name: Diego Pablo Simeone González
- Date of birth: April 28, 1970
- Age: 53 years as of April 2024
- Titles won in the jersey: Copa América (2), UEFA Cup, La Liga, Spanish Cup, Italian Champion, Italian Cup, Italian Super Cup
Famously known as El Cholo, Diego Simeone is a retired midfielder turned football manager. Between 1996 and 2006, he was a number 14 midfielder for Atlético de Madrid, Inter Milan, SS Lazio and Racing Club. At the time of writing, the legendary number 14 player is the longest-serving manager of Atlético Madrid.
6. Guti
Source: Getty Images
- Full name:José María Gutiérrez Hernández
- Date of birth: October 31, 1976
- Age: 47 years as of April 2024
- Titles won in the jersey: 1997/98, 1999/00, 2001/02 Champions League, 1999, 2002, 2003 Intercontinental Cup, 1996/97, 2000/01, 2002/03, 2006/07, 2007/08 Spanish Champion, 2002/03 UEFA Supercup, 1997/98, 2001/02, 2003/04, 2008/09 Spanish Super Cup, 2010/11 Turkish Cup
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Guti is a former professional footballer turned manager who was last attached to UD Almería in the Spanish La Liga. He played number 14 for Real Madrid, Besiktas JK and the Spanish national football team.
5. Casemiro
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- Full name: Carlos Henrique Casimiro
- Date of birth: February 23, 1992
- Age: 32 years as of April 2024
- Titles won in the jersey: Champions League (5), FIFA Club World Cup (3), Spanish Champion (3), UEFA Supercup (3), Spanish Cup, Spanish Super Cup (3)
Casemiro, better known as the Tank, is one of Brazil's most prolific defensive midfielders. At the time of writing, the midfielder plays in the Premier League for Manchester United and the Brazilian national football team.
The midfielder wore the number 14 jersey at Real Madrid for eight seasons between 2015/16 and 2022/23. He played 336 matches during this time, scoring 31 goals and 29 assists.
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4. Xabi Alonso
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Xabier Alonso Olano
- Date of birth: November 25, 1981
- Age: 43 years as of April 2024
- Titles won in the jersey: Budelisga (3), German Cup, German Super Cup, Champions League (2), La Liga, UEFA Supercup (2), Spanish Cup (2), English Super Cup, English FA Cup
Like Thierry Henry, Xabi Alonso predominantly wore the number 14 at Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and the Spanish national football team. At the time of writing, La Barba Roja is Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s football manager.
3. N’Golo Kanté
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: N'Golo Leon Jules Kanté
- Date of birth: March 29, 1991
- Age: 33 years as of April 2024
- Titles won in the jersey: 2015/16 Premier League
N’Golo Kanté is a French legend regarded as the best defensive midfielder ever. He is known for his work rate and defensive skills and has won numerous awards. Kante won the 2015/16 EPL, wearing Leicester City's number 14 jersey.
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2. Thierry Henry
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- Full name: Thierry Daniel Henry
- Date of birth: August 17, 1977
- Age: 46 years as of April 2024
- Titles won in the jersey: Premier League (2), English FA Cup (3), Champions League, Spanish Cup, Spanish Super Cup 2), UEFA Supercup, FIFA Club World Cup, Supporters' Shield
Thierry Henry is one of the few famous soccer players who wore the number 14. He is a renowned pundit and serves in various capacities in football leadership. The centre forward, considered one of the greatest strikers of all time, wore number 14 while playing for Arsenal FC, FC Barcelona, and New York Red Bulls.
1. Johan Cruyff
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- Full name: Hendrik Johannes Cruijff
- Date of birth: April 25, 1947
- Age: 68 years as of April 2024
- Titles won in the jersey: Dutch Champion (3), European Champion Clubs' Cup (3), Dutch Cup (2), Intercontinental Cup
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Johan Cruyff, the greatest football player of all time, is regarded as the father of modern football. According to reports, he chose the number 14 jersey after missing his number 7 shirt.
The Dutch player who later thrived as a manager won the Ballon d'Or thrice in 1971, 1973, and 1974. Around the time he chose the number 14 football jersey, players were restricted from wearing any jersey numbers outside the 0-11 range.
Frequently asked questions
The most common things about famous soccer players who wear the number 14 are the titles won and points scored. Here are some interesting facts about the best number 14 soccer players.
Source: Getty Images
1. Why did Cruyff wear number 14?
According to the Cruyff Foundation, the late football star returned to the pitch on October 30, 1970, after suffering a groin injury. Rather than wear his own number 9 jersey, he wore a spare number 14 shirt. His performance during the game and Ajax's win against PSV prompted a permanent switch from number 9 to 14.
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2. Who wears number 14 in Real Madrid?
Some of the best number 14 soccer players in the team's history include Xabi Alonso, Guti, Casemiro and Chicharito, among other players. At the time of writing, the burden of living up to the expectations of his position rests on José Luis Mato Sanmartín or Joselu, a Spanish centre forward.
3. Who plays with number 14 in Barcelona?
At the time of writing, the Jersey is worn by former Atlético de Madrid’s left winger, João Félix. His predecessors include Eusebio, Jordi Cruyff, Philippe Coutinho, and Thierry Henry.
Source: Getty Images
Final word
The best number 14 soccer players have lived up to Johan Cruyff's achievements. Up-and-coming and current players in the same jersey have much to measure up to.
READ ALSO: What are the basics of football positioning? Football numbers by position explained
Sports Brief has published an article on football positioning and their meanings. Football is played by eleven players who don numbered shirts or jerseys that help to identify them. Click on the link above for every detail about football positioning.
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