Top 12 Greatest Soccer Players Wear Number 2 Jersey

Last Updated on: 21st September 2025, 07:47 pm

In soccer, the Number 2 Jersey is closely linked with defenders, especially right-backs. Players wearing this shirt take on the tough job of stopping attackers and keeping their team safe at the back. Many great players have worn the Number 2 Jersey and left their mark in football history.

Best Soccer Players Who Have Worn the Number 2 Jersey

Ivan Cordoba

He was an experienced and talented player who played as a right-back or wing-back. Córdoba was known for his incredible stamina and was recognized as a great jumper. His outstanding performance made it hard to surpass. 

He could easily catch any attacker, and many forwards were intimidated when trying to get past him. This unique ability helped him make the number 2 jersey his own. At Inter Milan, he won 5 Serie A titles, a UEFA Champions League trophy, and four Coppa Italia trophies.

Lee Dixon

Lee Michael Dixon is a retired footballer who earned 22 caps for England. Known as a pundit today, he was Arsenal F.C.’s right-back, proudly wearing the number 2 jersey for many years. Dixon enjoyed a successful career, winning four league titles, including a European Cup and four FA Cups. He made 619 appearances for Arsenal and was known for his solid defense, making 28 goal-saving contributions. Now retired, he works as a football pundit.

Diego Godín

Diego Godín has been one of Spain’s best center-backs for many decades. Although not the fastest, he is known for his sharp mind and constant alertness, making him a strong defender against any attacker. After three impressive seasons at Villarreal, Godín was transferred to Atlético Madrid. From 2005 to 2023, he built an outstanding career for his country. Even at 38 years old, Godín can still perform well in international matches.

Branislav Ivanović

Branislav Ivanović is a Serbian footballer who made his name as a reliable right-back, although he could also play as a center-back. He began his career at FK Srem and became one of Serbia’s most notable players, earning 105 caps for his country. Ivanović enjoyed great success at Chelsea, winning nine significant honors, including three FA Cups, three Premier League titles, and a UEFA Europa League. His versatility and leadership made him a standout player for club and country.

Kyle Walker

Kyle Walker is an English footballer who plays as a right-back for Manchester City and the England national team and is also the captain of Manchester City. Many consider him the best right-back in England’s history and one of the best globally. Known for his strength and toughness, Walker excels in one-on-one confrontations and is skilled in tackling and interception. He has won 17 club titles throughout his career, including the continental treble in 2023 with Manchester City.

Lilian Thuram

Lilian Thuram-Ulien is a writer, philanthropist, and former French international footballer who played as a defender. He was fast, strong, and versatile, able to perform in both central and right-back positions and excel in attack and defense. Thuram won several honors, including 1x French Cup with AS Monaco in 1990/91 and 1x Italian Cup with AC Parma in 1998/99.

Dani Carvajal

Daniel Carvajal Ramos is a Spanish defender who plays for Real Madrid in La Liga and the Spanish national team. He started his career in Real Madrid’s youth system and returned to Real Madrid after one season at Bayer Leverkusen. Since then, Carvajal has won 26 major trophies with the club, including four La Liga titles, two domestic cups, and six UEFA Champions League titles.

Gary Neville

Gary Alexander Neville is a former footballer who is now a pundit and co-owner of Salford City FC. As a right-back, Neville spent his entire career at Manchester United, where he captained the team five times.  His impressive achievements include eight Premier League titles, three FA Cups, two UEFA Champions League trophies, an Intercontinental Cup, a FIFA Club World Cup, and two League Cups.

Dani Alves

Daniel Alves da Silva, known as Dani Alves, is a retired Brazilian footballer regarded as one of the greatest right-backs ever. His extraordinary career includes 43 major titles, making him one of the most decorated players in football history, second only to Lionel Messi, who has won 44 titles.

Cafu

Marcos Evangelista de Morais, famously known as Cafu, is a retired Brazilian footballer who spent his entire career as a right-back. Recognized for his speed and relentless runs down the right flank, Cafu is considered one of the greatest full-backs in football history. He crowned his career with multiple titles, including a much-deserved winner’s medal in the 2005 final.

Philipp Lahm

Philipp Lahm, the former German captain, is regarded as one of the most intelligent defenders of his generation. He played as both a right-back and a midfielder, known for his tactical awareness, leadership, and clean style of play. At Bayern Munich, he won eight Bundesliga titles, the Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup. He also lifted the FIFA World Cup with Germany in 2014, making him a true legend in the number 2 shirt.

Michel Salgado

Michel Salgado is a retired Spanish right-back who had a long and successful career, most notably with Real Madrid. Known for his tough tackling and relentless energy, Salgado wore the number 2 jersey with pride. During his time at Madrid, he won four La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies, making him one of the iconic defenders of his era.

Final Words:

Again, in soccer, the number 2 jersey is not a simple number but rather stands for all the work right-backs do to guard the field and contribute to their teams.

Ivan Cordoba and Cafu, for example, are proud wearers of the jersey, as they contributed immensely towards altering the fate of the contemporary defensive anchor. Find out how these legends have shaped the perception of greatness for a right-back.

FAQs:

What is the number 1 jersey in soccer?  

The number 1 jersey is usually attributed to goalkeepers. This particular colour of jersey tells everybody that the player is the ultimate barrier for the team. Of the functions of individual players, the specific activities of the goalkeeper are to defend the goal. As a result, they occupy the first line in the team’s functional system, which is why the number begins with them.

Who is still an active player wearing the number 2 jersey?

Kyle Walker from Manchester City and Diogo Dalot from Manchester United are examples of active players who wear the number 2 jersey.

Who is the best player to don the number 2 jersey?

Cafu, the Brazilian legend, is widely seen as the best player to ever wear the number 2 jersey because of his defending and attacking style as a right-back.

Which player wore the number 2 jersey?

Many great defenders wore this number, including Gary Neville for Manchester United and Cafu for Brazil.