10 best number 11s of all time in football

Some amazing players like Salah, Reus, and Di Maria have donned the number 11 jersey

While no.10s and no.9s are more famous when it comes to football jersey numbers, no.11 has also produced some of the best players in the world.

Usually used to represent the left-wingers, the no.11 has been worn by strikers as well; the likes of Didier Drogba, Romario and Rivaldo all produced some of their best football with no.11 at the back.

These days players like Mohamed Salah have made the number famous; the no.11 is not restricted to the left-winger any more. Neymar wore the jersey at Barcelona, while players like Mesut Ozil and James Rodriguez have adorned the jersey as well.

We look at the:

10 best number 11s of all time in football

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#10 ANGEL DI MARIA

Angel Di Maria in Paris Saint-Germain colours

One of the best creative players of his generation, Angel Di Maria's name might have been tarnished by a solitary poor season at Manchester United, but there is no denying his quality and ability.

After a stellar spell at Real Madrid, the Argentine moved to Old Trafford in 2014, before joining Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain for £44 million. Currently the no.11 for both Paris Saint-Germain and the Argentina national team, the 32-year old has been a consistent presence for both club and country.

Since making his debut for the Parisiens, Di Maria has played 295 games in all competitions, scoring 93 goals and providing 119 assists, forming a potent attack with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. He later joined Serie A giants Juventus.

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#9 GARETH BALE

Gareth Bale during his time at Real Madrid

While Gareth Bale's latter years at Real Madrid might not have gone according to plan, he played a key role in the success of Los Blancos during his presence there.

Having made his name at Tottenham Hotspur, Bale joined Real Madrid for a then world-record fee of £85 million in 2013. He was handed the no.11 jersey immediately, and would wear the same number throughout his Real Madrid career. The Welsh winger made 258 appearances in all competitions for the Spanish giants, scoring 106 goals and providing 67 assists.

Despite winning four Champions League titles at the club, the 31-year old fell out with manager Zinedine Zidane. He later went back to Tottenham Hotspur on loan. He went to MLS side Los Angeles FC in 2022 where he eventually retired from the sport.

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#8 MARCO REUS

Marco Reus is the captain of Borussia Dortmund

One has to wonder how Marco Reus' career would have panned out had it not been for the injuries.

In his prime, Reus was regarded as one of the best young wingers in the world. The captain of Borussia Dortmund, the 31-year old's career has not fallen apart; he continues to play a key role for his club while also being a constant for the Germany national team.

However, consistent long-term injuries have resulted in the winger missing out on some key events, including missing the 2014 World Cup which Germany won. The former Borussia Monchengladbach man has been a pivotal player for Dortmund since joining the club in 2012; making 368 appearances in all competitions, scoring 156 goals and providing 117 assists.

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#7 MIROSLAV KLOSE

Miroslav Klose playing for Germany

Miroslav Klose's achievements for the Germany national team often tend to dwarf his performances at club level.

Klose holds the record for most goals scored in FIFA World Cup tournaments with 16, as well as being the all-time top goalscorer for Germany. At club level, the now 44-year-old made his name at Kaiserslautern before going on to play for the likes of Werder Bremen, Bayern Munich and Lazio.

Klose wore the no.11 jersey for Germany for the majority of his career and was Lazio's no.11 as well. He retired in 2016, and served as a first-team assistant coach at Bayern Munich. He now manages Austrian Bundesliga side Rheindorf Altach.

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#6 MOHAMED SALAH

Mohamed Salah before a Liverpool match

Regarded as one of the best players in world football, Mohamed Salah's career has been on an upward trajectory since joining Liverpool.

Premier League side Chelsea bought the Egyptian from Basel in 2014, but Salah failed to establish himself at the Blues. Loan moves to Fiorentina and Roma followed, with Roma deciding to buy him on a permanent deal. A season later, Liverpool paid £37 million for his services.

The Egypt international has made 283 appearances in all competitions, scoring 173 goals and providing 69 assists. He played a key role in Liverpool winning the Champions League and the Premier League under Jurgen Klopp's management and continues to be a pivotal player for the club.

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#5 DIDIER DROGBA

Didier Drogba playing for Chelsea

One of the best strikers to have played in the Premier League, Didier Drogba is widely regarded as a Chelsea legend.

Drogba wore the no.11 at Chelsea for the majority of his time there. The Ivory Coast international is the club's fourth-highest goal scorer of all time and has also scored more goals than any other foreign player for the Blues. Renowned for his ability to score in finals, the striker was regarded as the 'ultimate big-game player'.

Drogba represented Chelsea across two spells, making 381 appearances for the club, scoring 164 goals and providing 86 assists. He also wore the no.11 for Ivory Coast, as well as for clubs like Marseille, Galatasaray and Shanghai Shenhua.

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#4 FRANCISCO GENTO

Francisco Gento leading out the Real Madrid side

Regarded as one of the best wingers to have played the game, Francisco Gento spent most of playing career plying his trade at Real Madrid.

Having started his career at Racing Santander, Gento moved to Real Madrid in 1953; he would spend 18 years at the club, establishing himself on the left-wing for the club. The Spain international made more than 600 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 178 goals.

Gento retired in 1971; he would manage sides like Real Madrid Castilla, Palencia and Granada. He is currently the Honorary President of Real Madrid.

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#3 ROMARIO

Romario wore the no.11 for Brazil

Renowned for his finishing ability, Romario is often seen by many as one of the greatest strikers to have played football.

While he may not have adorned the no.11 on club level on a consistent basis, Romario was the no.11 for Brazil for much of his time with the national team. The striker represented clubs like PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona and Valencia during his playing career, maintaining a healthy scoring rate at every club.

For Brazil, Romario made 70 appearances, scoring 55 goals. He retired from the sport in 2009, and is currently a politician in Brazil.

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#2 RIVALDO

Rivaldo (R) is seen as one of the best attackers to have played the game

Another Brazilian in this list, Rivaldo, like Romario, is seen as one of the greatest attackers to have played the game.

Capable of playing in multiple attacking positions, Rivaldo made his name at Palmeiras and Deportivo La Coruna before moving to Barcelona. Here, the Brazilian would establish himself as one of the best in the world and was renowned for his goalscoring and technical ability.

He left Barcelona in 2002 and would play for the likes of AC Milan and Olympiacos. For Brazil, Rivaldo made 74 appearances, scoring 35 goals.

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#1 RYAN GIGGS

Ryan Giggs is a Manchester United legend

One of the most successful footballers of all time, Ryan Giggs was a one-club man, spending his entire playing career with Manchester United.

Having made his debut in 1990, the Wales international would go on to make more than 950 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 168 goals. During that time, Giggs won 34 trophies with the club, including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League titles.

The 46-year-old also spent time as the interim manager of Manchester United, before becoming assistant to Louis van Gaal at the club. He served as the manager of the Wales national team from 2018 to 2020.

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