Top 5 players in Europe this season who wear the number 7 shirt

A jersey number means a lot in football. It represents more than just a number, it is an identity, it is the history of the player who used to wear it before the player wearing it. In the famous FC Barcelona La Masia academy, a student wearing a jersey number has to follow the player who is wearing his jersey number.

So many players want a particular jersey number. Number 9,10,11 are mainly for the attacker, number 8 and 6 for midfielders and 2, 4, 5 are mainly for the defenders.

Many fans were worried when Morata chose number 9 at Chelsea, as they feared that he might be a big money flop like Fernando Torres who chose number 9 after his big money move and they have been right so far.

But the number 7 has a special connection with a lot of players, it is considered lucky and legendary. For Manchester United, it means a player who is wearing a number 7 has the added pressure to live up to the fan expectation of the players who wore the jersey before him.

Though not all clubs have a history with the 7 shirt like Manchester United, but many players in Europe are currently wearing the 7 for their respective clubs. Here we look at Top 5 players who are wearing 7 for their clubs.

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#5 Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)

Griezmann - much sought after

The French international has been sensational this season scoring 29 goals and providing 15 assists this season as Atletico Madrid won the Europa League and finished second in La Liga and ahead of their arch-rivals Real Madrid.

He has been the talismanic figure for Atletico Madrid this season, scoring a crucial away goal against Arsenal in the Europa League semi-final when they were down to ten men for the majority of the game. In the final, he again scored a brace against Marseille to secure the Europa League.

Griezmann is a proper team player who works hard for the team and links up well with his teammates on the pitch. He has a deadly left foot and an eye for goal.

Though he has been linked with a move to FC Barcelona, Atletico Madrid are doing all they can to keep their talisman at the Wanda Metropolitano.

All stats via transfermarkt

#4 Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich)

Frank Ribery forced Bayern Munich to give him a contract extension.

Frank Ribery has again proved this season that age is just a number. Though he is 35 years old, he still believes and runs at the opposition as if he is still 25. It seems like he hasn't lost his appetite and desire to be at the top.

The former French international is a fan favourite at the Allianz Arena and this season has made 34 appearances for the Bavarian giants. He has been more influential for Bayern this season since the arrival of Jupp Heynckes.

This could have been his last season for Bayern but his performances have been excellent so much so that Bayern were forced to reconsider their decision of not giving him a contract extension and they gave him a one-year contract extension.

He won the Bundesliga title with the German giants and it was his eighth Bundesliga title since joining Bayern Munich.

#3 Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

Sterling had his best season in his career.

Raheem Sterling had one the best seasons of his career as he lifted his first Premier League title. He also had his most prolific season in front of goals as he scored 23 goals for the Citizens in all competitions.

Though the likes of Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne have taken most of the limelight for the blue half of Manchester, it was Raheem Sterling who has made the biggest difference for them.

By the time it was March his 11 goals in the Premier League had helped Manchester City win 11 points. At the age of 23, Sterling has many years of peak football left in him and this even prompted Gary Neville to compare the Englishman to Premier Legends like Thiery Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo.

His performances have been so impressive this season that even Pep Guardiola fears that the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid or PSG might scoop him up from the Etihad.

#2 N'Golo Kanté (Chelsea)

Kante has turned up for Chelsea in so many big games this season.

"70% of the Earth is covered with water and the rest is covered by Kante"

Had it not been for him, Chelsea might have had an even more horrendous season. The Frenchman once again proved this season that the £32 million spent on him by Chelsea was just a bargain as he helped Chelsea win the FA Cup.

He is undoubtedly the best defensive midfielder in the world right now and he has turned up for Chelsea in so many big games this season.

Not only his defensive displays, so many times he has picked the ball from deep and used his pace to run at the opposition as if he is an attacking midfielder.

The former Leicester City midfielder has been one of the most consistent players for the Blues as well. He had an average of 89% passing accuracy and throughout the season he made just two defensive errors.

He has been linked with a move away from Chelsea, but whenever such rumours have popped up he has been quick to reiterate his desire and love for Chelsea.

#1 Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

Ronaldo became the first player in the history to score in every Champions League group stage match.

Many at the start of the season believed that CR7 is a finished product now and he is past his prime. But once again the Portuguese international has been successful in silencing his critics.

At the age of 33, he has shown no signs of slowing down and he has continued to score goals for fun at Madrid.

This season he has scored 44 goals for Los Blancos in 43 appearances and helped Real Madrid win the Supercopa de España and the Club World Cup aswell.

He also became the first player to score in every Champions League group stage match. The former Manchester United winger also scored crucial goals against the likes of FC Barcelona, PSG and Juventus.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has been very clinical for Real Madrid and has come to their aid many times this season.