Tactically the number two position in soccer is one of the two wingbacks flanking central defenders who form the core of the defensive formation of any team.
However, the number 2 shirt is usually worn by right-backs in football.
There have been some iconic number twos who, even after retirement, come to mind once number 2 comes into the discussion as regards football. Some of them include Brazilian Legend Cafu, who wore the number 2 jersey with aplomb.
There are other players who have worn number 2, although some of them have not been restricted to the defensive position.
However, let’s go through the top 10 players who wear the number two shirt on their back, either at the club level or national team level.
1. César Azpilicueta (Spain)
Chelsea Defender Cesar Azpilicueta wears the number 28 shirt at the London Club, but he puts on the number two shirt at the national team.
Azpilicueta is one of Chelsea’s longest-serving, having joined them in 2012 from French club side Marseille.
The 33-year-old’s leadership skill is unmatched and consistent, with Chelsea fans becoming fond of him over the years.
2. Achraf Hakimi (PSG)
He is arguably the best wingback in the world now, many thanks to his defensive and attacking abilities.
He currently wears the number 2 jersey for Paris Saint-Germain and the Moroccan national team.
Achraf possesses stunning set-piece proficiency and a CV containing some of the world’s biggest teams, including Real Madrid, Dortmund, and, currently, PSG.
3. Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan)
Dumfries spent a couple of years in the Netherlands playing for Sparta Rotterdam, Heerenveen, and PSV before moving to Inter Milan.
The 26-year-old Dutch international managed to win the Coppa Italia win Inter Milan last season. The right-back is known for his defensive strength and pace, which aids his attacking threats too.
4. Jose Maria Giménez (Atletico Madrid)
Jose Gimenez’s longevity with Atletico Madrid is quite remarkable, having joined the team in 2013 from Uruguayan side Danubio.
He is one of the best football players in Uruguay.
The 27-year-old center-back is nearing 200 goals for the club, having played around 184 matches.
He is also a mainstay with the Uruguayan national team, where he has played over 70 games.
5. Victor Lindelof (Manchester United)
Swedish defender Lindelof spots the number two shirt at Manchester United. It’s a number that Gary Neville adorned for a long time before retiring.
Lindelof played for Benfica before moving to the Red Devils, and the 28-year-old has made around 146 appearances for the club and 54 for the national team.
6. Diego Godin (Velez Sarsfield)
Diego Godin was a rock for Atletico Madrid as a defender, although he has since moved to Argentina club Vélez Sarsfield.
Godin is one of the few names on this list that isn’t a right back. The Uruguayan dorms another number for his national team but with Velez Sarsfield, he is assigned the number two jersey.
7. Kyle Walker (Manchester City).
Here comes an absolute speedster; Kyle Walker is Manchester City’s first-choice right back and has been a big part of their history which has seen him win four Premier League titles and four EFL Cups.
Kyle Walker is one of the best right-backs in the world, and one of the top footballers who wear number 2 jersey.
Walker had played for a handful of teams in the Premier League, including Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa on loan.
8. Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
Dani Carvajal is one of the top-notch right-backs in the world at the moment, and as a Real Madrid player, he has complimented this claim.
As a 30-year-old, he has a CV of five UEFA Champions League wins, four UEFA Super Cups, and three La Liga titles, although injuries have limited him to 30 appearances for the Spanish national team since his debut in 2016.
9. Héctor Bellerín (Barcelona)
Bellerín remains one of the paciest players but has not made the most of his potential when he initially featured for Arsenal in the Premier League.
Bellerín has gone on to feature for Real Betis and now with Barcelona, as their new number two, where he started as a cadet player.
Bellerín is known for his attacking threats and speed, but sometimes his defensive plays can be questionable.
Nevertheless, he’s won the FA Cup with Arsenal and the Copa Del Rey with Real Betis.
10. Joe Gomez (Liverpool)
Joe Gomez plays for Liverpool and is the first choice center back pairing with Dutch defender Virgil Van Dijk.
Gomez has had injury problems of late, but he’s been key to a lot of silverware success for Liverpool, having won the Premier League, FA Cup, and the UEFA Champions League.
He’s pacy and can play right-back while possessing ball-playing skills as a defender.
