The 12 Greatest Footballers to Wear the Number 16

Captains, anchors, wingers and even a goalkeeper have all carried the same number on very different shoulders. Where do you stand?

1

Sergio Busquets

The Barcelona anchor who inherited the number 16 shirt and controlled midfields for club and country.

1000pts

2

Philipp Lahm

The Germany full-back who wore 16 and lifted the 2014 World Cup as captain.

1000pts

3

Sergio Aguero

Manchester City's record scorer, who wore 16 when he scored the title-winning goal in 2012.

800pts

4

Roy Keane

Manchester United's fierce captain who wore 16 through the club's trophy-laden treble era.

600pts

5

Abou Diaby

The elegant Arsenal midfielder whose number 16 career was defined by immense talent and cruel injuries.

600pts

6

Aaron Ramsey

The Welsh midfielder who wore 16 at Arsenal and scored the 2014 FA Cup final winner.

491pts

7

Rodri

Manchester City and Spain's holding midfielder, a Ballon d'Or winner who wears 16 for club and country.

491pts

8

Edouard Mendy

The Chelsea goalkeeper who wore 16 and was named the world's best keeper in 2021.

491pts

9

Mark van Bommel

The combative Dutch midfielder who wore 16 for the Netherlands at the 2010 World Cup.

360pts

10

Michael Carrick

The composed deep-lying midfielder who wore 16 across a decorated Manchester United career.

360pts

11

Arjen Robben

The flying Dutch winger who wore 16 during his Chelsea years before Bayern glory.

360pts

12

Kolo Toure

The Ivorian defender who wore 16 during Arsenal's Invincibles era and beyond.

200pts