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The number 4 jersey in football - although not as famous or iconic as the numbers 7, 9 or 10 - has been worn by some of the finest players in the sport.
It is usually worn by a center-back or a central defensive midfielder. In years past, the number 4 was often donned by the sweeper/libero in a team, a player who was entrusted to 'sweep' the ball upfield whenever an opponent breached the defensive line.
Ten best number 4s of all time
As has already been mentioned before, a bevy of iconic players - retired or active - have worn the number 4 jersey over the years. On that note, let us have a look at the ten finest number 4s to have graced the game.
#10 Steve Bruce
One of the most astute signings made by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Steve Bruce arrived at Old Trafford in the winter of 1987 and laid the spadework for the club's domestic dominance in the years to come.
The no-nonsense center-back formed a formidable central defensive partnership with Gary Pallister as Manchester United won three Premier League titles in the first four years of the rebranded English top flight.
Bruce's aerial prowess and set-piece taking ability meant that he often scored crucial goals for his side, none more so than his pair of late headers in the 1992-93 against Sheffield Wednesday that turned the title race in his team's favor.
One of the finest players never to have played for England, Bruce eventually left Old Trafford after notching up an impressive 51 goals in 414 appearances in all competitions during a highly successful nine-season stint at Manchester United.
Except for three seasons, Bruce donned the number 4 jersey for the entirety of playing career. He later became a manager, becoming the boss at various clubs in England. He last served as the manager of West Bromwich Albion.
#9 Virgil Van Dijk
Virgil Van Dijk is regarded as one of the finest center-backs in the game today. Such has been the player's impact at Liverpool since his arrival at the club in early 2018 that he has become an integral component of Jurgen Klopp's setup.
The Dutch center-back, who dons the number 4 jersey, played every league game for Liverpool in two consecutive seasons, the second of which yielded the club its first English top-flight title in three decades.
Van Dijk has good pace for a player of his height while he is also blessed with good technique, set-piece prowess, composure on the ball and keen positional awareness. He has developed a notoriety for being 'difficult' to dribble past as well.
It can be said that van Dijk is one of the most important reasons that has helped Jurgen Klopp turn the team around since losing players like Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard.
#8 Claude Makelele
Claude Makelele had already made his name as one of the finest defensive midfielders in the game when he arrived at Chelsea for a five-season stint in the 2000s.
The diminutive Frenchman did his burgeoning reputation no harm as he became more than the 'battery' of the team as then-club manager Claudio Ranieri had predicted when the player first arrived at Chelsea.
It was at the English club that the 30-year-old Makelele first wore the number 4 jersey. The Frenchman would go on to redefine the defensive midfield role during his tenure in the Premier League.
Makelele was predominantly deployed as a defensive shield thanks to his aggressive tackling, positional awareness and general defensive discipline, and ability to break up opposition plays and retain possession. The Frenchman also took up the responsibility of linking up the defense and attack.
The player may have scored only twice in over 200 appearances for the club, but his ability to do the dirty work without any qualms endeared him to the club faithful as Makelele etched his name into Chelsea folklore. The player called time on his career after a subsequent three-season stint at Paris St. Germain.
#7 Fernando Hierro
Fernando Hierro is arguably one of the finest goal-scoring defenders as well as number 4s in the history of the game.
After inheriting the number 4 jersey at Real Madrid in the early 90s, Hierro would go on to notch up an impressive tally of over 100 goals during a successful 14-season stint at the club.
Hierro was particularly renowned for his solid defensive play, impressive passing ability and prolific goalscoring prowess. The 52-year-old's versatility meant that he could also be deployed as a defensive midfielder or a sweeper; however, he made the most impact as a centre-back.
Between 1991-92 and 1994-95, the number 4 scored an impressive 55 times in all competitions for Real Madrid as the capital club lifted the La Liga, Copa Del Rey and Spanish Super Cup titles.
#6 Claudio Gentile
Claude Gentile wasn't a quintessential number 4 as he also wore a bevy of other jersey numbers during his illustrious playing career in the 70s and 80s.
Nevertheless, the Italian made his name as a no-nonsense, uncompromising, tough-playing defender who was also deployed as a 'sweeper' towards the latter stages of his career. Gentile is arguably one of the finest defenders in the rich annals of Italy and Juventus' history.
Although he was more of a defensive-minded player who sought to break up opposition play, Gentile could also surge forward and provide telling deliveries for teammates in the opposition box.
Often derided as the 'master of the dark arts' for his overly physical style of play, Gentile, along with Dino Zoff, Sergio Brio, Antonio Cabrini and Gaetano Scirea formed one of the most feared defensive quintets for both Italy and Juventus.
#5 Pep Guardiola
Current Manchester City gaffer Pep Guardiola is not only one of the most astute and decorated managers in the game's history, but also a very distinguished player.
Guardiola, who like Gentile did not don the number 4 jersey during the entirety of his playing career, was one of the key components of Johann Cryuff's dream team at Barcelona in the early 90s.
Guardiola was one of the finest midfielders of his generation. The creative, nimble and hard-working player was blessed with a keen ability to read the game and had good positional awareness, tactical intelligence and, of course, passing prowess.
Predominantly deployed as a deep-lying playmaker, Guardiola was part of a brilliant Barcelona team that won four consecutive La Liga titles and the first Champions League title in the club's history.
The Manchester City manager may have scored only 11 times in 382 games for Barcelona, but he was also a potent attacking threat. Guardiola could create chances galore for teammates and possessed a decent shot from distance. However, Guardiola modestly calls himself a 'slow midfielder with no shot and no dribbling'.
Nevertheless, Guardiola's penchant for creativity and ball movement, rather than physicality and pace, inspired a generation of fine ball-playing Spanish midfielders like Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas, to name a few.
#4 Ronald Koeman
Ronald Koeman is arguably one of the finest goal-scoring defenders to have graced the game.
After making his debut at Groningen, Koeman turned up for Ajax and PSV Eindhoven before arriving at Barcelona for the most prolific spell of his playing career.
One of the key components of Johan Cryuff's dream team, Koeman excelled both in the centre-back and 'sweeper' roles, thanks to his incredible passing range, ball-playing ability and set-piece prowess. His versatility also allowed him to be deployed in a bevy of positions in the middle and defensive thirds of the field.
Koeman racked up an impressive tally of 83 goals in his six-season stay at the Camp Nou, a period that was arguably one of the most illustrious in the club's history as Barcelona bagged four consecutive La Liga titles and the Champions League.
Koeman later embarked on a long managerial career that started with him being an assistant under Louis van Gaal at Barcelona in the 1997-98 season. 20 years later he became the Blaugrana's permanent manager for over a year.
#3 Patrick Vieira
After donning the number 4 jersey in his last season at AC Milan, Patrick Vieira would make the jersey his own during a successful nine-season stint at Arsenal.
Vieira, who predominantly played as a holding midfielder at the English club, was renowned for his tackling prowess, tactical intelligence and outstanding ball-playing skills. The Frenchman's versatility also meant that he could be deployed in a bevy of midfield positions.
The French player's aerial prowess benefitted Arsenal at both ends of the pitch. Vieira also stood out for his ability to retain possession and lead the side when the going got tough.
Arsenal's long-standing manager Arsene Wenger said as much about Vieira in an interview.
“He was a fighter, he was a fantastic football player and as well, I don’t think he was the same type of captain as Tony Adams, who was a more vocal leader. He was more of a guy who through the quality of his attitude and the quality of his game, became a natural leader in the side.”
Vieira would later go on to ply his trade at Juventus and Inter Milan before returning to the Premier League with Manchester City, where he spent two seasons before announcing his retirement. Currently he manager Premier League team Crystal Palace.
#2 Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos is one of the finest active goal-scoring defenders in the modern game. Despite his chequered disciplinary record, the Real Madrid and Spain captain is a colossus at the back and also a threat at the other end of the pitch.
The most-capped player for Spain is also his country's most prolific active goalscorer. Ramos' tally of 23 goals for La Furia Roja, which is mighty impressive for a defender, places him eighth overall in the list of Spain's all-time goalscoring list.
The Real Madrid and Spain captain, who dons the number 4 jersey at his club, is renowned for his tackling ability, aerial prowess, eye for goals and set-piece ability. Since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, Ramos assumed penalty-taking duties for Real Madrid and has scored all of his 15 spot-kicks for the club.
Ramos notched over 100 goals for Real Madrid, in the process becoming the second-most prolific goal-scoring defender in the capital club's storied history.
Former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti once said about Ramos:
"There are defenders with extraordinary technical ability, others have unique defensive qualities – like Cannavaro, brilliant at marking. Others like Baresi could command a back line while others influenced with strong personalities. But factoring everything together to evaluate a defender then Sergio Ramos is the most complete. He's got a bit of everything: technical ability, strength, personality and leadership."
Ramos later joined Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain to team up with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
#1 Franz Beckenbauer
Like a few other players in this list, Franz Beckenbauer did not wear the number 4 jersey frequently during his club career. Nevertheless, no list about the finest number 4 players in the game can ever be complete without Der Kaiser.
One of only three players in history to have won the FIFA World Cup as both player and manager, Beckenbauer also had an exemplary club career, especially at Bayern Munich.
Beckenbauer is arguably one of the finest goal-scoring defenders to have graced the game. He started his career as a midfielder before making a successful transition to defense, where he redefined the role of a 'sweeper' (also called a 'libero').
The two-time Ballon d'Or winner is the first defender to have won the coveted award. Unsurprisingly, he is also regarded by many to be the greatest defender of all time.
“He could play in either position (defence or midfield). He had versatility, suppleness, read the game very well, knew how to play, and could get forward and score goals too," Portuguese legend Eusebio once said about Beckenbaeur.
