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When it comes to iconic football jerseys, there are not many numbers which can match the eminence of the #7. It occupies a special place in the history of the game because of the legendary players who have donned it on the pitch.
Some legends of the game including, George Best, Kenny Dalglish, David Beckham, and the GOAT Cristiano Ronaldo, have made the #7 synonymous with greatness.
Because of the performances of these players, the jersey has become one of the most identifiable one on the pitch. And any player who is bestowed with the honor of wearing this jersey by a club is expected to be nothing less than outstanding.
Though it may seem that currently the #10s and #9s are ruling the pitch, there are quite a few remarkable #7s who are plying their trade in the top 5 European leagues.
Here we take a look at the top 7 players who are keeping the iconic status of the #7 Jersey alive.
#1 Philippe Coutinho
Phillipe Coutinho became the third most-expensive player in the world, when he moved to Barcelona from Liverpool for £142 million last January.
The Brazilian decided to take up the iconic #7 jersey at the Camp Nou this summer, joining a long list of famous players, including Luis Figo, Henrik Larsson, and David Villa.
The former Liverpool and Inter Milan playmaker has settled really well in LaLiga, and has continued his good form from last season in the new campaign. Since joining the club, he has scored a total of 15 goals in all competitions so far, and has set up a further 9 for his teammates.
Recently, he scored his first El Clasico goal in the 5-1 trashing of Real Madrid by Barcelona.
He has scored 4 goals in LaLiga, and provided 1 assist in 11 games this season. In the Champions League he has been involved in 3 goals for La Blaugrana, scoring 1 and assisting 2.
All stats via transfermarkt
#2 Marko Arnautovic
Marko Arnautovic has carried his West Ham side literally single-handedly out of the relegation zone this season.
The Hammers' #7 has been the go-to guy for his club to score goals and provide some attacking flair in the final third.
The Austrian forward has scored 5 goals and assisted 1 more in his 9 appearances for the East London club in the Premier League so far.
He has been involved in roughly 50 percent of all goals scored by The Hammers, thus he is playing his role as the #7 perfectly.
#3 Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann, one of the best performing players at the World Cup for France this summer, has had a modest start to the new season with Atletico Madrid.
He has scored 3 goals and provided 2 assists in 11 LaLiga appearances, which is clearly not up to his lofty standards, but thanks to a sturdy defense, Atletico Madrid find themselves in third position.
The Frenchman is yet to hit full steam, and Diego Simeone would like his #7 to step up soon to solve their lack of goals up front.
#4 Jadon Sancho
The youngest player on our list, 18-year-old Jadon Sancho has been sensational for Borussia Dortmund this season.
The former Watford and Manchester City youth product has been a key player in Dortmund's explosive start to this season's Bundesliga, which sees them 4 points clear at the top, having scored 30 goals in 10 matches.
Dortmund's #7 is also one of the few players born in this century to have scored in a top European league.
He leads the assists chart in the Bundesliga, with 6 in 10 appearances, and has also found the back of the net 4 times.
This youngster is definitely one to watch-out for.
#5 Raheem Sterling
Without a doubt, Raheem Sterling has been the standout player in the star studded line-up of Manchester City this season.
The 23-year-old has scored 6 goals and assisted 5 more in just 9 appearances in the Premier League.
He remains one of the most underrated and overlooked players in the league, even though his performances have been nothing but top notch.
The England international is only 23, and could establish himself as one of the greatest players ever to have donned the #7 jersey, if he keeps performing at this level.
#6 Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo, arguably one of the best #7s to have ever stepped out on a football pitch, has been on fire for his new club Juventus in the Serie A.
After a slow start to his spell in Italy, the Manchester United and Real Madrid legend has hit the ground running, and currently is the top scorer for the Bianconeri.
Ever since breaking his duck with the club, he has scored a total of 7 goals, including two braces, and has 6 assists to his name in the league fixtures.
He is still going strong at the age of 33, but just misses out on our top pick for best #7 in Europe at the moment.
#7 Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe, the French sensation, is one of the best players in the world right now and probably the top #7 currently playing in Europe.
The 2018 World Cup winner has already scored 11 goals in just 8 games in Ligue 1 for PSG. He proved why he is one of the biggest stars in the world by a phenomenal 4 goal haul in a league fixture against Lyon.
At just 19, the Monaco youth product has established himself as a key figure at the Parc des Princes, and with 4 assists also to his name this season, he is the perfect heir of Ronaldo as the new best #7 in the game.
