Shirt numbers are serious business (literally, ask any marketing expert) and the most coveted numbers of all are 1-11. Players at most top clubs are desperate to bag themselves one of the traditional shirt numbers. We have put together a combined XI of players from all around the world's leagues, organised by their shirt number. So, pitting all the number 4’s against each other and seeing who is the best, ditto the 7, 8, 9, etc. Who makes the grade? Who misses out? Read on and find out!
No. 1: Thibaut Courtois
Goalkeeper – Real Madrid
Runners-up: David De Gea, Alisson Becker, Marc-André Ter Stegen, Wojciech Szczesny
His performance this season was undoubtedly good, he was the key player for Real Madrid to win European Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and Copa del Rey. The colossal Belgian is an almost superhuman combination of shot-stopping and ball-playing.
No. 2: Achraf Hakimi
Right-back – PSG
Runners-up: Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Dani Carvjal
We believe that both Achraf Hakimi and Kyle Walker worth to be in the squad, they both perform great this season. Achraf Hakimi is not only extremely fast, but also a skillful player. He is one of the most reliable players in PSG this season. The right-back is necessary to PSG's defence and attack this season.
No. 3: Ruben Dias
Centre-back – Manchester City
Runners-up: Éder Militão, Bremer, Min-jae Kim, Roger Ibanez
Ruben Dias is perhaps the finest centre-back in the world. He reads the game like many of us do a comic book and has the skill and awareness to play a high-line. A master.
No. 4: Ronald Araujo
Centre-back – Barcelona
Runners-up: Virgil van Dijk, Matthijs de Ligt, David Alaba, Sergio Ramos
Ronald Araujo is an unreal force of nature, he is Barca's key to this season's success. He is so enthusiastic at game and he masters the art of defending. What's more, he is fast, strong and tough. Araujo is unreal this season.
No. 5: Jude Bellingham
Central midfield – Dortmund (Real Madrid's No. 5)
Runners-up: Thomas Partey, John Stones, Ibrahima Konaté, Marquinhos, Enzo Fernández
Jude Bellingham has now become one of the best central midfielder (attacking or defensive) in the world. He is a skilled dribbler, a smart player and also not bad in defense. What's more, he has already become Bundesliga's MVP at such a young age!
No. 6: Nathan Ake
Left-back – Manchester City
Runners-up: Thiago Silva, Marco Verratti, Koke, Joshua Kimmich, Lisandro Martinez, Gavi, Gabriel Magalhaes
The left-back played great this season, he contributed a lot to Man City's treble this season, and this guy is an incredibly underrated part of Man City’s defence and attack.
No. 7: Kylian Mbappe
Forward – PSG
Runners-up: Bukayo Saka, Vinicius Junior, Ousmane Dembele, Cristiano Ronaldo, Serge Gnabry, Heung-min Son
Saka is great, Vini Jr. is amazing, Ousmane Dembele is quite crucial, but Kylian Mbappe is a ceaseless machine of goals and as fast as a lightning bolt on the pitch. He kept on destroying the opponents and played so well in both national team and PSG.
No. 8: Martin Ødegaard
Central midfield – Arsenal
Runners-up: Toni Kroos, Pedri, Sandro Tonali, Antoine Griezmann, Bruno Fernandes
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has already become one of the top-class players, and he played a historical 2022-2023 season. The Norwegian metronome is constantly pinging balls around the pitch for Gunners, creating danger with laser-sharp passes.
No. 9: Erling Haaland
Striker – Manchester City
Runners-up: Robert Lewandowski, Karim Benzema, Victor Osimhen, Gabriel Jesus, Dusan Vlahovic, Olivier Giroud
The Norwegian scored 52 goals for Man City in 53 appearances in his first EPL season. He is a ceaseless engine of scoring. He has skills, he is a powerful shooter, he has a strong physique, he is a born winner, this beast is the team-mate you love and the opponent you hate.
No. 10: Lionel Messi
Attacking midfield – PSG (Inter Miami's No. 10)
Runners-up: Neymar, Marcus Rashford, Luka Modric, Harry Kane, Jack Grealish, leroy Sane, Lautaro Martinez
Leo Messi is the best player in the world. The No. 10 is the preserve of the genius, and there is no genius that can compare to Messi: the champion collector, the record breaker and the GOAT.
No. 11: Mohamed Salah
Right-winger – Liverpool
Runners-up: Rodrygo, Kinsley Coman, Marco Reus, Martinelli
Great wingers are numerous in this no. 11 shirt and they all have various qualities. Coman is skillful, Martinelli is fast, Marco Reus is smart, Rodrygo is talented - but Salah can do all these things. He is the player that never stopped carrying the Reds.
Formation: 4-3-3
Bellingham plays as a ball-winning midfilder and Odegaard plays as an advanced playmaker. They would be covered by Ruben Dias and Araujo whilst Ake and Achraf provided cover and overlaps out wide.
In attack, Messi runs the show and is the brain of the team whilst Mbappe and Salah keep destroying the defence. And they can assure Haaland to waltz into and score.
