Squad numbers are used in association football to identify and distinguish players that are on the field and have become a way to also indicate position, with starting players being assigned numbers 1–11. Socccer stars today are defined in a lot of ways by the number on the back of their jersey.
The number seven in football is one of the most special numbers in the game. When numbers started to appear in soccer, players who would got the #7 jersey were central midfielders or right-wingers.
The role of the number 7 has evolved with time and this shirt number nowadays is usually worn by wingers and second strikers but it has also been graced by some of the most famous central strikers to have played the game such as:
*Manuel Francisco dos Santos- nicknamed Garrincha, was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a right winger, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.
A very good dribbler, his ability to breeze through opposing defenders was mind boggling as well as well as his remarkable ball control, technique, flair, imagination, and feints on the wing, which enabled him to create chances out of nothing. He is a legend at Botafogo where he played 12 years and scored scored 232 goals in 581 matches.
*Cristiano Ronaldo- is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Saudi Professional League club Al Nassr and the Portugal national team.
One of the greatest footballers of all time, Ronaldo’s goal scoring exploits have been incredible considering the fact that he plays as a winger on most occasions. He has scored over 800 goals and provided over 200 assists in his career.
*Kenny Dalglish- he is a former football player, and one of the finest of all time.He played as a forward and made 338 appearances for Celtic and 515 for Liverpool.
He scored great goals during his playing days with his vision, touch, quick thinking, movement and creativity winning him admiration. He scored 229 goals in a sterling career.
*Luis Figo- is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a winger for Sporting CP, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan. One of the finest players of his generation, he was reknown for his creativity and ability to get past defenders with ease. His 106 assists are the second most in Laliga history behind Lionel Messi and also scored over 100 goals in a sterling career.
*Eric Cantona- he is a retired footballer and one of the greatest of all time. A France and Manchester united legend, Cantona is remembered for his tenacity on the pitch as well as his creativity, passing, quick thinking, technique and close ball control abilities. He scored 70 goals and provided 56 assists during his time in the Premier League.
by: MaclayN