In this article, I’m covering the topic of famous number 3 soccer players. Many great players wore this number and made memories with it to be remembered as favorites, like Roberto Carlos, Paolo Maldini, Gerard Pique, Thiago Silva, etc.
This jersey number has imbued defenders with a strong association, so when soccer fans or players hear this number, they immediately think of defenders. The number on the player’s shirt shows their position or playing style on the team.
This number is usually reserved for left-backs, but sometimes defensive midfielders and central defenders also take this number. Players wore this number throughout their careers and became great players while defending the team goal from opponents. They won many titles at the club and international levels. These famous soccer players with the number 3 jersey contribute to soccer and are legends of the sport. These jersey numbers have a significant role in representing the player’s potential and obligations during the game.
Soccer players who wear the number 3 jersey are renowned for their exceptional defensive skills, serving as the stalwarts of their teams’ backlines. From past legends to present-day stars, these players embody the essence of top-class defending in the sport. I’ve compiled a list of defenders with this number.
Top 7 famous number 3 soccer players
7. Denis Irwin
The Irish footballer played most of his football at Manchester United as a left-back. He was one of the successful signings of Sir Alex Ferguson. He won 19 titles during his club career, including seven Premier League titles. He appeared in 56 appearances for his country and scored four goals. He made it to the national side that played the last 16 stages of the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
His career information is listed below:
Club Career
| Year | Team | Appearances |
| 1983-86 | Leeds United | 72 |
| 1986-90 | Oldham Athletic | 167 |
| 1990-2002 | Manchester United | 368 |
| 2002-04 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 75 |
International Career
| Year | Team | Appearances |
| 1986-87 | Republic of Ireland U21 | 3 |
| 1989 | Republic of Ireland U23 | 1 |
| 1990 | Republic of Ireland B | 1 |
| 1990-99 | Republic of Ireland | 56 |
6. Ashley Cole
The England international played as a left-back for Arsenal and Chelsea during his club career. He made 228 appearances and scored nine goals at Arsenal. He won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups, and played in the 2006 UEFA Champions League final. He won the Premier League, four FA Cups, one Football League Cup, and one UEFA Champions League with Chelsea. He has won the FA Cup more times than any other player in the history of this competition. He made 107 appearances for the national team.
His career information is listed below:
Club Career
| Year | Team | Appearances |
| 1999-2006 | Arsenal | 156 |
| 2000 | Crystal Palace | 14 |
| 2006-14 | Chelsea | 229 |
| 2014-16 | Roma | 11 |
| 2016-18 | LA Galaxy | 89 |
| 2019 | Derby County | 9 |
International Career
| Year | Team | Appearances |
| 1999 | England U20 | 2 |
| 2002 | England U21 | 5 |
| 2001-2014 | England | 107 |
5. Roberto Carlos
He was one of the most famous number-three players of all time. The Brazilian footballer played as a left-back for Real Madrid. He made 584 appearances for Real Madrid in all competitions and scored 71 goals. He won four La Liga and three Champions League titles at Real Madrid. He was known for his bending freekicks. He made 125 appearances and scored 11 goals for the national team.
His career information is listed below:
Club Career
| Year | Team | Appearances |
| 1991-93 | Uniao Sao Joao | 21 |
| 1992-93 | Atletico Mineiro (Loan) | 0 |
| 1993-95 | Palmeiras | 44 |
| 1995-96 | Inter Milan | 30 |
| 1996-2007 | Real Madrid | 370 |
| 2007-09 | Fenerbahce | 65 |
| 2010-11 | Corinthians | 35 |
| 2011-12 | Anzhi Makhachkala | 25 |
| 2015-16 | Delhi Dynamos | 3 |
International Career
| Year | Team | Appearances |
| 1996 | Brazil U23 | 6 |
| 1992-2006 | Brazil | 125 |
4. Thiago Silva
This number 3 player is still playing for the national team and Premier League club Chelsea. He played with many different clubs, including AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea. He won seven Ligue 1 titles, six Coupes de la Ligue, and five Coupes de France at Paris Saint-Germain. He was the most expensive player when he came to Paris Saint-Germain for €42 million. He made more than 120 appearances for the national team and scored seven goals.
His career information is listed below:
Club Career
| Year | Team | Appearances |
| 2002-03 | RS Futebol | 25 |
| 2004 | Juventude | 35 |
| 2004-05 | Porto B | 14 |
| 2005-06 | Dynamo Moscow | 0 |
| 2006 | Fluminese (Loan) | 35 |
| 2007-09 | Fluminese | 73 |
| 2009-12 | AC Milan | 93 |
| 2012-20 | Paris Saint German | 204 |
| 2020- | Chelsea | 106 |
International Career
| Year | Team | Apps |
| 2008-12 | Brazil Olympic | 8 |
| 2008- | Brazil | 113 |
3. Pepe
The Portuguese international is playing as a centre-back for Primeira Liga club Porto. During his club career, he played for Real Madrid, Besiktas, and Maritimo. He played 334 games with Real Madrid and won three La Liga, three Champions League, and two Copa Del Ray titles. He played 136 matches for the national team and was part of the team that won UEFA Euro 2024.
His career information is listed below:
Club Career
| Year | Team | Apps |
| 2001-02 | Maritimo B | 14 |
| 2002-04 | Maritimo | 63 |
| 2004-07 | Porto | 64 |
| 2007-17 | Real Madrid | 229 |
| 2017-18 | Besiktas | 33 |
| 2019- | Porto | 130 |
International Career
| Year | Team | Apps |
| 2007- | Portugal | 136 |
2. Gerard Pique
The Spanish international played as a centre-back for Barcelona and Manchester United during his club career. He played 616 matches and won 31 major titles, including nine La Liga and three UEFA Champions League titles with Barcelona. He played 102 matches with the national team and won the FIFA World Cup 2010, UEFA Euro 2012, and Euro 2016. He is one of the best number-three players of all time.
His career information is listed below:
Club Career
| Year | Team | Apps |
| 2004-08 | Manchester United | 12 |
| 2006-07 | Real Zaragoza (Loan) | 22 |
| 2008-22 | Barcelona | 397 |
International Career
| Year | Team | Apps |
| 2002-03 | Spain U16 | 7 |
| 2004 | Spain U17 | 8 |
| 2006 | Spain U19 | 8 |
| 2007 | Spain U20 | 5 |
| 2006-08 | Spain U21 | 12 |
| 2009-18 | Spain | 102 |
1. Paolo Maldini
The Italian international played as a centre-back and a left-back for AC Milan. He is one of the best defenders in the world and wears the number 3 jersey. He played 647 matches and won 26 trophies, including five UEFA Champions League titles, seven Serie A titles, one Copa Italia, five Super Coppa Italia titles, five UEFA Super Cups, two Intercontinental Cups, and one FIFA Club World Cup. He played in 126 matches and scored seven times for the national team.
His career information is listed below:
Club Career
| Year | Team | Apps |
| 1984-2009 | AC Milan | 647 |
International Career
| Year | Team | Apps |
| 1986-88 | Italy U21 | 12 |
| 1988-2002 | Italy | 126 |
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