10 best number 7s of all time

Bhargav
The number 7 jersey holds a valuable place in the history of the game.
The number 7 jersey holds a valuable place in the history of the game.

#6 Eric Cantona

Cantona was a favourite at Old Trafford.
Cantona was a favourite at Old Trafford.

Eric Cantona first shot to the limelight with Leeds United in the summer of 1992 when he scored nine goals as his side pipped Manchester United to win their first league title in 18 years.

Despite his eccentricities, Cantona immediately endeared himself to the Leeds faithful and inherited the number 7 jersey despite a listless outing with France at Euro' 92.

However, with Leeds' title defence and his relationship with the manager spectacularly imploding in the inaugural Premier League season, Manchester United came calling for Cantona, and there would be no looking back.

Much like he did at Elland Road, Cantona became a crowd favourite at Old Trafford as he scored fabulous goals galore and won trophies aplenty.

The Frenchman's 61 goals and 81 assists in four-and-a-half seasons at Manchester United delivered a rich haul of four Premier League trophies, five Super Cups and two FA Cup titles.


#5 Luis Figo

Figo notoriously made a direct switch from Barcelona to Real Madrid.
Figo notoriously made a direct switch from Barcelona to Real Madrid.

Luis Figo made the number 7 jersey his own at Sporting Lisbon and then at FC Barcelona as he won back-to-back league and Spanish Cup titles at the club.

Figo then made an acrimonious switch to Barcelona's arch-rivals Real Madrid but continued to find success as a 'Galactico' at his new club. Although the Portugal international did not wear the number 7 shirt at Madrid, his 56 goals and 93 assists propelled the Bernabeu side to two La Liga titles and a Champions League triumph.

The then most-capped Portugal player later moved to Inter where he was handed the number 7 jersey. Figo once again demonstrated his goal-scoring and goal-creating abilities, along with his set-piece prowess, as the Nerazzurri won four consecutive league titles among other domestic honours.


#4 Bastian Schweinsteiger

Schweinsteiger was a great midfielder for club and country.
Schweinsteiger was a great midfielder for club and country.

Though Bastian Schweinsteiger never wore the number 7 jersey in his club career, the German player became synonymous with this jersey while playing for his national team.

Schweinsteiger is not the quintessential number 7 who is predominantly involved in the attacking third as the 2014 FIFA World Cup winner also does a fair share of the 'dirty' work, helping out his defence and cutting out opposition attacks.

Interestingly, the Germany international wore the number 31 during his 13 seasons with Bayern Munich, two with Manchester United and three with the Chicago Bulls in the MLS.

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