No matter what kind of outfield player dons the fabled No.7 jersey, the fact that they were assigned the magical number in the first place proves their worth to their team. Along with 10, shirt number 7 is arguably the most prestigious spot in a squad. Legendary players like George Best, Luis Figo, David Beckham and Raul have played their best football with this digit on their back, inflicting a tenfold increase in its importance. Similarly, several skilled players are associated with the said number at the present time. On that note, let’s take a look at the 6 best No.7s in the world right now.
6. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
Despite his wavering form of late, Raheem Sterling is a class act. The Englishman came through the ranks of Liverpool, infamously accepting to abandon his boyhood club for the riches of Manchester City. Nevertheless, Sterling has blossomed into a proficient wideman at the Etihad, cementing his place as one of the best outfield players in the Premier League. At 26, the pacy dribbler still has a lot left in him, with rumours of a potential transfer on the cards next summer.
5. Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich)
Serge Gnabry was once a budding teenager in the esteemed academy of Arsenal, hoping to make his mark at the Emirates. However, the German playmaker could never find his footing in the Premier League, with Tony Pulis even claiming that Gnabry wasn’t good enough for his West Brom team. A move back to his homeland followed, and Gnabry has since silenced every one of his critics. The 26-year-old winger is now an integral part of an all-conquering Bayern Munich side, tearing down Bundesliga defences for fun. The Arsenal reject is now a treble winner, while the Gunners languish in mid-table.
4. Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur)
Despite Harry Kane’s recent drop-off, Spurs are still a competitive side. However, the major credit for this development has to go to Heung-min Son. The South Korean playmaker has been absolutely sensational in the past few years, linking brilliantly with the English captain. Bought from Bayer Leverkusen as a promising 23-year-old, Son has transformed into an absolute beast at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The veteran attacker already has six goal involvements this season, reflecting on his stupendous consistency.
3. N’Golo Kante (Chelsea)
The first non-attacking player on the list, N’Golo Kante is arguably the best in his position right now. The French defensive midfielder has experienced a steep rise in the past decade, going from the French relegation scrap to back-to-back Premier League titles in a concise duration. Nevertheless, Kante deserves every bit of success that comes his way. The hard-working midfielder is an absolute workhorse, covering every possible space on the pitch with his agility.
2. Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
Once in a while, in the course of football, you stumble upon generational talents like Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona. From the looks of it, Kylian Mbappe fits the billing perfectly. The French sensation is destined to take the Argentine’s position at the top with his exceptional talent. Having announced himself to the world at the 2018 World Cup, Mbappe has since gone on to upgrade his level, becoming the main man at PSG. With constant links to Real Madrid, Mbappe has a bright future drawn out for him.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Who else but Cristiano Ronaldo to top such a list. Even at the ripe old age of 36, the Portuguese superstar soars ahead of every other No.7 in the world to finish in the first place. Ronaldo recently switched allegiances from Juventus to Manchester United, returning to his home in England after 12 years. Expectedly, he has started off brilliantly, amassing five goals in eight games so far. With the body of a man in his mid-20s, Ronaldo has the potential to dominate football until the age of 40.
