9 Best Number 7s in World Football Right Now (2024)

The number 7 is one of football's most iconic and revered shirt numbers. Traditionally worn by wingers, the number has become associated with flair, creativity, and dazzling displays of skill—particularly in the modern game, where those wearing it have captivated fans and bewildered opponents. It's a number cherished by many aspiring footballers, much like the number 10, which has been immortalized by the likes of Lionel Messi, and number 14, synonymous with Johan Cruyff.

Throughout history, some of the game’s greatest players have thrived under the weight of the number 7, turning pressure into brilliance. Today, this tradition continues, with modern stars still making the number their own. While it has typically been worn by wingers, the number 7 has also been donned by strikers, attacking midfielders, and even defensive players in some cases.

Ranking Factors

• Goals and Assists: For wingers, these stats are vital. For players in other positions, we assess attributes suited to their role.
• Current Form: Their recent performances up to the time of writing play a big role in their ranking.
• Honours Won: What trophies and achievements have these number 7s contributed to over the years?
• Fan Reception: Universally adored by fans across clubs and countries? That’s often a hallmark of one of the best number 7s.

9. John McGinn

Aston Villa

From relegation to leading a team in the Champions League, John McGinn’s career has been nothing short of remarkable. The Scottish midfielder began his journey at St. Mirren before moving to Hibernian in 2015 following St. Mirren’s relegation. After three successful seasons at Hibs, McGinn joined Aston Villa in 2018, where he has since become a pivotal figure. His impact was immediate, helping Villa secure promotion back to the Premier League in 2019.

While McGinn’s early Premier League seasons were solid, his career truly took off when Unai Emery replaced Steven Gerrard as Aston Villa's manager. Under Emery, Villa transformed from relegation contenders to European competitors, first qualifying for the Conference League and then earning a spot in the 2024/25 Champions League. Throughout this journey, McGinn has been a consistent presence, delivering standout performances every week and showing no signs of slowing down.

8. Luis Diaz

Liverpool

Luis Díaz made the leap from his native Colombia to Europe in 2019, signing with Porto from Atlético Junior. After registering 60 goal contributions in 125 appearances for the Portuguese club, English powerhouse Liverpool swooped in, securing his signature in 2022. Though it took some time for Díaz to settle in, there’s no denying that he ranks among the top players currently donning the number 7.

In particular, Díaz has flourished in the 2024/25 season under new manager Arne Slot. With five goals and one assist in his first six matches, he’s enjoyed his best-ever start with the Reds, signaling a bright future both for the season ahead and beyond.

7. Lorenzo Pellegrini

Roma

Lorenzo Pellegrini spent eight years in Roma’s youth academy, from 2007 to 2015, before making his senior debut at 18. Shortly after, in 2015, he moved to Sassuolo, where he consistently played Serie A football for two years. However, Roma had a buyback clause and activated it in 2017, bringing Pellegrini back to his boyhood club, where he has remained a key figure ever since.

Now captain of Roma, Pellegrini, wearing the number 7, has made 288 appearances, contributing over 50 goals and 50 assists. One of Europe’s most reliable attacking midfielders, Pellegrini played a pivotal role in leading Roma to the 2023 Europa League final, where they narrowly lost to Sevilla in a penalty shootout.

6. N'Golo Kante

Al-Ittihad

N’Golo Kante’s rise in football is nothing short of remarkable. Signed as a relatively unknown player from SC Caen by Leicester City ahead of the 2015/16 season, Kante became a key figure in one of the sport’s greatest fairy tales, helping the Foxes win the Premier League title against all odds.

His standout performances earned him a move to Chelsea after just one season in the Midlands. During his seven years at Stamford Bridge, Kante cemented his reputation as the world’s best defensive midfielder, so much so that Chelsea fans even considered renaming the “Makelele role” in his honor.

With the Blues, Kante won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, and Europa League. In 2018, he was an integral part of France's World Cup-winning squad. Even in 2024, despite playing in Saudi Arabia, Kante’s class remains evident, as shown by his call-up to the French national team for the 2024 Euros.

5. Heung-min Son

Tottenham Hotspur

Upon Harry Kane’s departure, Heung-min Son naturally stepped up as Tottenham’s captain and longest-serving player. The South Korean star has been a key figure for Spurs for nearly a decade, so it was fitting for him to inherit the armband.

Throughout his time at the club, Son has consistently delivered at the highest level. While no player is without ups and downs, Son is undeniably one of Tottenham’s greatest players of the Premier League era. Versatile enough to play both on the wing and through the middle, he has scored over 150 goals in more than 400 appearances for the North London side. Remarkably, from his second season onward, Son has always hit double figures in Premier League goals each campaign.

4. Antoine Griezmann

Atletico Madrid

Antoine Griezmann epitomizes the number 7 shirt, having worn it for all but four seasons of his professional career. The recently-retired French international scored 271 goals and provided 123 assists in over 700 games, consistently earning admiration for his immense talent.

Known for his flair and ability to make the toughest moments on the pitch seem effortless, Griezmann spent most of his career in Spain, primarily with Atletico Madrid, where he won the Europa League in 2018. His international career was equally successful, highlighted by his man-of-the-match performance in France's 2018 World Cup final victory over Croatia.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo

Al-Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo is undeniably the greatest to ever wear the number 7. As he approaches 40, he's still delivering goals and assists for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. However, it was his legendary stints at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus that cemented his place as one of football’s all-time greats.

In Europe alone, Ronaldo made 949 appearances, scoring a staggering 701 goals and providing 223 assists. A versatile attacker, he could seamlessly transition between playing as a winger and a striker, dominating the game in both roles. While it's uncertain when he’ll retire, there’s no doubt that Ronaldo belongs among the top three footballers in history.

2. Bukayo Saka

Arsenal

Bukayo Saka’s rise through the Arsenal ranks is nothing short of inspiring. Initially covering as a full-back, Saka was pushed further up the pitch once Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac returned from injury, and he hasn’t looked back since. Six years after his debut, Saka has made nearly 250 appearances for the Gunners, contributing 59 goals and 58 assists, and playing a key role in Arsenal's FA Cup victory in the 2019/20 season.

A cornerstone of Mikel Arteta’s post-Wenger era, the 23-year-old remains integral to Arsenal’s future. With his talent continually evolving, Saka’s influence shows no sign of diminishing anytime soon.

1. Vinicius Jr.

Brazil

Despite Real Madrid's strong track record in the transfer market, there were some raised eyebrows in 2017 when they agreed to a deal worth just under £40 million for 16-year-old talent Vinicius Junior, set to join when he turned 18. When the transfer was finalized in 2018, the winger began his journey with Madrid’s B team while his development was closely monitored.

As the years went by, Vinicius’ influence and role within the Madrid squad grew significantly, eventually earning him a permanent place in the first team. He has made nearly 300 appearances for the club, tallying 82 assists and 86 goals. Following Eden Hazard's departure in 2023, Vinicius took over the iconic number 7 jersey, reflecting his importance to the team. Today, the Brazilian is widely regarded as one of the best wingers in the world, with some even considering him the best.