10 Popular Soccer Players With Number 13 Jersey

In football, the number 13 jersey is often associated with superstition and considered unlucky. Historically, the number has been deemed unfortunate, leading many players to avoid wearing it on the field.

Despite this superstition, some popular soccer players have embraced the number 13 jersey. Examples include Italian striker Alessandro Nesta, who has worn the number with recognition.

His successful career has contributed to reshaping the perception of the number 13, demonstrating that a player’s skill and dedication ultimately define their on-field success, regardless of the jersey number they wear.

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Popular Soccer Players With Number 13 Jersey

• Alessandro Nesta
• Gerd Muller
• Eusebio
• Maicon
• Micheal Ballack
• Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
• Jan Oblak
• Alessio Romagnoli
• Andriy Lunin
• Mathias Jørgensen

1. Alessandro Nesta (SS Lazio, AC Millan)

Alessandro Nesta is an Italian football legend, and he made a mark in the game wearing the number 13 jersey during his illustrious career.

He’s also a professional football manager.

Nesta primarily played as a center-back and is hailed as one of the greatest defenders in football history. His skills were a mix of speed, impeccable tackles, ball-handling skills, precise distribution, and an eye for marking opponents tightly.

Nesta’s remarkable journey spanned over two decades, featuring over 400 Serie A appearances for SS Lazio and AC Milan. His association with these clubs brought domestic and European honors.

Notably, Nesta won the Serie A Defender of the Year four times and secured a spot in the annual UEFA Team of the Year on four occasions.

FIFA’s 100th anniversary celebration in 2004 acknowledged him as one of the Top 100 greatest living footballers. In 2021, his contributions were immortalized as he was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame.

2. Gerd Muller (Germany)

Gerd Müller, a German football icon made an Incredible Impression while wearing the number 13 jersey for the Germany national football team.

His incredible goal-scoring prowess was magnificent, as he scored 68 goals in just 62 games for West Germany.

Müller held the record of Germany’s all-time leading scorer for nearly four decades until Miroslav Klose surpassed him in 2014, albeit with more than double the number of appearances.

Müller’s international career spanned from 1966 to the victorious 1974 FIFA World Cup. In the final against Johan Cruyff’s Netherlands, Müller secured a 2–1 victory with a crucial winning goal.

His total of 14 goals across the 1970 and 1974 World Cups made him the all-time highest FIFA World Cup goalscorer at that time. He was also a key player in the 1972 European Championship, emerging as the top scorer with four goals, including two in the final, leading West Germany to clinch the Championship.

His extraordinary contributions, however, concluded after the 1974 World Cup due to a disagreement with the German Football Association (DFB) during post-tournament celebrations.

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3. Thomas Muller (Germany)

Thomas Müller, the German football sensation is one of the popular football players wearing wearing the iconic number 13 jersey. His journey began with the German youth teams, where he announced his potential.

This earned his place from the under-16s to the under-21s. In 2009, his consistent performances for Bayern Munich caught the attention of the national team manager, Joachim Löw, leading to a potential call-up.

However, unforeseen events, including the tragic death of goalkeeper Robert Enke, disrupted the plans. Müller’s initial call-up for a friendly against the Ivory Coast was deferred, and he returned to the under-21 team to help their crucial qualifiers.

Eventually, in 2010, he found himself back in the senior squad, and he made his debut in a friendly against Argentina. The game took place at the Allianz Arena, his home ground with Bayern, but It ended In a 1–0 loss.

Müller’s adaptability, goal-scoring prowess, and contributions on the field quickly established him as a key figure for the German national team.

His impact made him a Bayern Munich legend and also a vital part of German football history, wearing the number 13 jersey throughout his remarkable International career.

4. Maicon (AS Monaco, FC Internazionale, AS Roma)

Maicon also made a lasting Impression In the game by wearing the number 13 jersey throughout his career. He began his football career in Brazil with Cruzeiro, where he played 125 games between 2000 and 2004, clinching a national league title and various domestic honors.

The move to Europe saw him join Ligue 1’s Monaco in 2004, which laid the foundation for an impressive career. In 2006, Maicon’s talent caught the eye of Inter Milan.

He contributed to Inter’s UEFA Champions League triumph in 2010, securing four Serie A titles and the FIFA Club World Cup. Also, he had a brief stint with Manchester City in 2012 followed by a return to Italy, where he played for Roma.

His football journey took him back to Brazil in 2017, representing Avaí, childhood club Criciúma, and Villa Nova. Maicon’s career concluded in 2021 after a short spell in the Italian Serie D and the Sammarinese league.

5. Micheal Ballack (Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Chelsea FC)

Michael Ballack is another German football icon, and he’s one of the best number 13 In football history. Ballack is one of the top goal-scorers in the history of the German national team.

And he proudly wore the number 13 shirt for every team except 1. FC Kaiserslautern. Pelé recognized his brilliance by selecting him as one of FIFA’s 100 Greatest Living Players and honoring him as the UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year in 2002.

Ballack’s football journey started in 1983 at BSG Motor “Fritz Heckert” Karl-Marx-Stadt, eventually leading him to 1. FC Kaiserslautern, where he secured his first major honor, the Bundesliga title.

Subsequent moves to Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich added more accolades, including Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal doubles. He is renowned for his passing precision, potent shots, physical prowess, and commanding midfield presence.

Ballack’s impact extended to the English Premier League when he joined Chelsea in 2006. Despite injuries in 2007, Ballack’s return bolstered Chelsea’s historic Champions League final appearance. He further contributed to Chelsea’s FA Cup triumphs in 2009 and a League Cup double in 2010.

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6. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (FC Bayern Munich, Cameroon National Team)

In October 2020, Choupo-Moting embarked on a one-year contract with Bayern Munich, and he made an immediate impact with a star debut in the DFB-Pokal, scoring twice against 1. FC Düren.

His prowess continued as he notched his first Champions League goal and league goal.

The 2020-21 season saw Choupo-Moting’s heroics in the Champions League quarter-finals against his former club, Paris Saint-Germain, despite an eventual loss on away goals.

However, the season ended on a high note as he lifted his first Bundesliga title with Bayern.

The subsequent season witnessed his remarkable performance in the DFL-Supercup, securing the title against Borussia Dortmund, and a historic hat-trick in the DFB-Pokal which made him the first Bayern player in years to achieve such a feat.

As the 2022-23 season unfolded, Choupo-Moting continued to Impress, scoring important goals in the Bundesliga and the Champions League group stage. His contributions were recognized with a one-year contract extension until June 2024.

7. Jan Oblak (Atlético de Madrid)

Jan Oblak is one of the best goalkeepers of his generation, and he’s currently one of the most famous players wearing the number 13 jersey. In 2014, Atlético secured his transfer from Benfica, breaking La Liga records with a €16 million deal.

Oblak stepped into the team as a replacement for Thibaut Courtois and quickly made an impact, winning the Zamora Trophy for best goalkeeper in his debut season.

He was Instrumental in Atlético’s journey to the 2015-16 Champions League final. From 2016 to 2019, Oblak continued his Incredible performance, winning the Europa League title and receiving consecutive Zamora Trophies.

During the 2019-2021 season, he secured the La Liga title, boasting 18 clean sheets and an 80% save rate. This remarkable feat won him the Zamora Trophy for the fifth time.

By August 2021, he became the goalkeeper with the most appearances, and in May 2023, he became the club’s most-capped foreign player for the club. His dedication to the team led to a contract extension until 2028 in July 2022.

8. Alessio Romagnoli (AC Milan, SS Lazio)

Alessio Romagnoli is another current player wearing jersey number 13, having made his presence felt for AC Milan and SS Lazio. His journey began with AC Milan in 2015, after he sealed a €25 million transfer from Roma.

Romagnoli showed the fans what he’s got within him, scoring his debut goal in a 5–0 win against Alessandria. This victory pushed Milan to the Coppa Italia final in the 2015–16 season.

Over the years, he became a stalwart in Milan’s defense, and he contributed significantly to their Supercoppa Italiana triumph in 2016. He became the new Club captain In the 2018–19 season following Leonardo Bonucci’s departure.

His leadership was exemplified by crucial stoppage-time goals against Genoa and Udinese. In the 2019–20 season, a muscle injury interrupted his consistent run, but he finished with 39 appearances.

However, the 2020–21 season brought challenges as Romagnoli faced injuries and competition. Then, he declined a contract extension with Milan, ultimately joining Lazio in July 2022.

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9. Andriy Lunin (Real Madrid)

Andriy Lunin has been a fanatic buy for the Lila giant, Real Madrid, and he’s one of the current soccer players wearing the number 13 jersey. In June 2018, Real Madrid secured his talents in an €8.5 million deal, making Lunin the first Ukrainian to join the club.

Lunin’s loan move continued with Real Valladolid and later Real Oviedo. However, he finally made his first-team debut during the 2020-21 Copa del Rey for Real Madrid.

As fate would have it, his league debut against Atlético Madrid ended in a 1-0 loss. Lunin’s also sowed his class, saving a penalty against Cádiz to secure a 1-1 draw.

The 2021-22 season saw Lunin’s Champions League debut, contributing to a 2-1 victory against Shakhtar Donetsk. He became the first Ukrainian to feature in El Clásico against Barcelona, and he contributed to Real Madrid’s 3-1 win. In the 2023 Champions League group stage game against Braga, he was subbed in for an injured Kepa and saved a crucial penalty.

10. Mathias Jørgensen (Brentford FC)

Mathias Jørgensen is one of the current soccer players wearing the number 13 jersey. The Danish footballer began a new journey with Brentford FC in the Premier League, signing a one-year contract in September 2021.

However, his inaugural season was marred by injuries, limiting him to 10 appearances and a solitary goal during the 2021–22 campaign. As his initial contract concluded in June 2022, Brentford announced his departure as an official squad member.

Despite this, the club extended a supportive gesture by allowing him to continue training with them, aiding his recovery from an adductor injury and facilitating his quest for a new club.

In a turn of events, Jørgensen’s determination and commitment shone through during the club’s pre-season training camp in Germany in July 2022.

This dedication resulted in a renewed contract on 22nd August 2022, securing another one-year deal with an option for an additional year.