famous number 12 soccer players

10. Marcelo

Marcelo Vieira da Silva Junior is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a left-back for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Fluminense. He is considered as one of the finest left-backs to have ever played in that position. He is known for his trickery and playing style on the pitch. He mostly played with Real Madrid and won many titles during his club career. He won five UEFA Champions League titles and six La Liga titles.

Marcelo joined Brazil’s national team in 2006 and played in the 2008 Olympics, winning bronze. In 2012, he was one of the over-age players, earning silver. He starred in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, helping Brazil win against Spain. Marcelo also played in the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, making it into both tournaments’ Dream Teams. 

His career information is listed below:

9. Olivier Giroud

Olivier Jonathan Giroud is a French footballer who plays as a striker for AC Milan. He is the all-time highest goal scorer for France. He mostly played for Arsenal and Chelsea during his club career. He won three FA Cups with Arsenal. He is known for his physical strength and head accuracy.

Giroud started playing for France in 2011 when he was 25. Since then, he’s played over 130 games for his country and been in six major tournaments. He was France’s leading goal scorer and got the Bronze Boot in UEFA Euro 2016 as the joint second-highest goal scorer. He also won the 2018 FIFA World Cup and played in UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where France came in second and he got another bronze boot. 

His career information is listed below:

8. John abi mikel

John Abi Mikel is a Nigerian footballer who played as a defensive midfielder for Chelsea. He mostly played for Chelsea during his club career. He won many titles, including two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and the Champions League in the 2011–12 season.

Mikel entered the FIFA World Cup stage in 2014 in Brazil, where he shined in Nigeria’s opening game against Iran, earning the man of the match award. His contributions were pivotal in helping the team advance to the knockout stage, marking their first appearance since 1998.

His career information is listed below:

7. Júlio César

Júlio César Soares de Espíndola is a Brazilian footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Inter Milan. He mostly played for Inter Milan during his club career and won many titles, including five Scudetti, a Champions League, and a Fifa Club World Cup.

With an impressive 87 international caps for Brazil, César truly made his mark on the world stage, proudly representing his nation in the FIFA World Cups of 2006, 2010, and 2014 and adding his flair to two Copa América tournaments.

His career information is listed below:

6. Alex Sandro

Alex Sandro Lobo da Silva is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a left-back for Juventus. He mostly played for Juventus during his club career and won many titles, including five Serie A titles.

Alex Sandro has 40 caps, representing Brazil at the international level. His journey began with the Brazil under-20 team, where he clinched victories at the South American Youth Championship and the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2011. Later, he contributed to Brazil’s triumph in the 2019 Copa América. 

His career information is listed below:

5. Dida

Nélson de Jesus Silva is a Brazilian footballer who played as a goalkeeper for different clubs during his club career. He mostly played for Italian club AC Milan and won many titles, including one Serie A title and two UEFA Champions League trophies.

Dida played for the Brazil national team for eleven years, earning 91 caps. During his career, he won the FIFA World Cup and an Olympic medal. He’s also the most successful player in the history of the FIFA Confederations Cup.

His career information is listed below:

4. Christian Abbiati

Christian Abbiati is an Italian footballer who played as a goalkeeper for AC Milan. He mostly played his club football for Serie A club AC Milan and won many titles, including three Serie A titles, one Coppa Italia, two Supercopa Italiana victories, one UEFA Champions League, and one UEFA Super Cup. He is also considered one of the best goalkeepers of his era.

Abbiati got his first call-up for Italy as the third goalkeeper for UEFA Euro 2000 when Gianluigi Buffon got injured and had to withdraw from the squad. He was also part of the team that played in the 2000 Summer Olympics.

His career information is listed below:

3. Phil Neville

Philip John Neville is an English footballer who played as a full-back or midfielder for Manchester United and Everton. He mostly played his club football with Manchester United, where he won many titles, including six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, three FA Charity Shields, the Intercontinental Cup, and the Champions League.

Neville represented England 59 times from 1996 to 2007, playing in three European Championships. He was versatile and comfortable in defense or midfield but frequently utilized as a left-back despite playing in various positions during his international career. 

His career information is listed below:

2. Eduardo Camavinga

Eduardo Camavinga is a French footballer who plays as a midfielder for Real Madrid. He is known for his technical ability and athleticism. He has been playing for Real Madrid since 2021. He won La Liga and the UEFA Champions League in his first season with Real Madrid.

In 2020, at just 17 years old, he played his first game for the France national team, becoming the youngest debutant in over a hundred years. He also played for France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where they finished as runners-up.

His career information is listed below:

1. Thierry Henry

Thierry Henry is a French footballer who played as a forward for different clubs during his career. He mostly played his club football with Premier League club Arsenal. He won many titles, including two Premier League titles and two FA Cups. He is considered to be one of the greatest players of all time.

Henry achieved great success with France, winning the 1998 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2000, and 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup. He was named French Player of the Year five times, received numerous individual awards, and retired from international football after the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

His career information is listed below: