The number 2 jersey in soccer carries a special kind of legacy. For decades, it has been tied to the right-back role, a position once seen as purely defensive but now celebrated as one of the most dynamic on the pitch.
Long before managers began using full-backs as attacking outlets, the players who wore the number 2 jersey were mostly quiet defenders, tasked with shutting down wingers and keeping things simple.
Over time, the role evolved.
Today, the right-back is expected to defend, overlap, build play, and even act as an extra winger when needed. And through the years, many greats have worn this number, leaving behind memories of grit, leadership, and innovation.
Here are 10 of the most famous players to ever pull on the number 2 jersey, each one shaping its meaning in their own way.
10. Iván Córdoba
Iván Córdoba may not always make the headlines in discussions about the great defenders of his generation, but ask any Inter Milan fan and they will tell you how important he was.
Córdoba was an experienced, athletic, and explosive player, renowned for his pace and stamina. Despite standing at just 5’8”, he was phenomenal in the air, timing his leaps perfectly to win headers against much taller forwards.
He spent over a decade at Inter Milan, becoming a defensive pillar during one of the club’s most successful eras.
Córdoba helped Inter to five Serie A titles, four Coppa Italia wins, and the crowning jewel, the UEFA Champions League in 2010 under José Mourinho.
Beyond his defensive prowess, Córdoba was a leader on and off the field, a steadying presence who inspired those around him.
For Colombia, he earned over 70 caps and captained his nation with pride. The number 2 shirt on his back symbolized reliability and grit.
9. Lee Dixon
For Arsenal supporters, Lee Dixon remains one of the most beloved figures in the club’s history. He joined the Gunners in 1988 and quickly made the number 2 shirt his own.
Alongside Tony Adams, Nigel Winterburn, and Steve Bould, Dixon formed part of the famous Arsenal backline that became legendary for its discipline and cohesion.
Dixon wasn’t the best of right-backs, but he was dependable, intelligent, and endlessly hardworking. His overlapping runs and defensive awareness made him invaluable to George Graham’s Arsenal side, and later, Arsène Wenger’s title-winning teams.
During his 14 years at Arsenal, Dixon won four league titles, three FA Cups, a League Cup, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
To this day, he remains one of the club’s longest-serving and most respected players.
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8. Diego Godín
Diego Godín may not fit the classic mold of a right-back, but his time wearing the number 2 jersey for club and country makes him a worthy entry.
The Uruguayan defender is one of the greatest leaders of his generation, revered for his toughness, tactical brain, and unwavering determination.
At Atlético Madrid, Godín was the heart and soul of Diego Simeone’s warrior-like defense.
He embodied Atlético’s fighting spirit, leading them to La Liga glory in 2014, two Europa League titles, and a Champions League final appearance.
For Uruguay, Godín became the most-capped player in the nation’s history, captaining his side at multiple World Cups and Copa America tournaments.
Wearing the number 2 jersey, Godín represented resilience and leadership. He wasn’t just a defender; he was the kind of player who could organize an entire team from the back.
7. Branislav Ivanović
Few defenders combined power, aerial strength, and consistency quite like Branislav Ivanović. The Serbian star was a rock in defense and a threat in attack, scoring crucial goals throughout his career.
At Chelsea, where he spent nine years, Ivanović became a legend. He won three Premier League titles, three FA Cups, the Europa League, and the Champions League.
His versatility meant he could play across the back line, but it was the number 2 jersey that fans most associate with him, storming up and down the right flank at Stamford Bridge.
Ivanović scored memorable goals, including the winner in the 2013 Europa League final against Benfica. Beyond his achievements, he was admired for his work ethic, loyalty, and the sense of security he brought to the defense.
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6. Kyle Walker
Modern football’s obsession with pace has found its perfect match in Kyle Walker. The England international is one of the fastest players in the world, and that blistering speed has defined his career.
Walker first caught the eye at Tottenham, but it was at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola where he became a global star.
With the number 2 jersey on his back, Walker has been central to City’s dominance in English football.
His ability to neutralize the quickest wingers, recover from defensive lapses, and bomb forward to support attacks makes him one of the finest right-backs of the modern era.
With City, Walker has won multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups, and League Cups, while also playing a key role in their Champions League triumph.
For England, he has been a constant presence in tournaments, using his versatility to slot into back threes or play wide when needed.
Walker’s mix of speed, strength, and tactical intelligence sets the standard for today’s full-backs.
5. Lilian Thuram
Lilian Thuram is not just one of the best number 2s in history; he is one of the greatest defenders the game has ever seen.
The Frenchman had the rare combination of physical power and elegance, seamlessly blending rugged defending with composure on the ball.
Thuram made over 500 appearances across Monaco, Parma, Juventus, and Barcelona. For France, he became the country’s most-capped player at the time with 142 appearances, winning both the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.
His two goals in the World Cup semifinal against Croatia remain iconic moments in French football.
Big, strong, fast, and incredibly intelligent, Thuram was an opponent no striker wanted to face.
His dominance at right-back redefined what the role could be, paving the way for modern full-backs to contribute both defensively and offensively.
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4. Gary Neville
Gary Neville is synonymous with loyalty, leadership, and Manchester United.
A one-club man, Neville spent his entire career at Old Trafford, making over 600 appearances and captaining the team during its most successful period under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Wearing the number 2 shirt, Neville formed a famous partnership on the right with David Beckham. His overlapping runs, pinpoint crosses, and defensive grit were vital to United’s success.
Neville wasn’t the flashiest player, but he was consistent, dependable, and a natural leader.
During his career, Neville won eight Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, and multiple domestic cups. For England, he earned 85 caps, representing the national team at major tournaments for over a decade.
Neville embodied the spirit of Manchester United: hard work, dedication, and a relentless desire to win.
3. Dani Carvajal
Few players represent the modern right-back role better than Dani Carvajal. A product of Real Madrid’s famed youth academy, Carvajal fought his way into the first team and established himself as one of the best in the world.
Wearing the number 2 shirt, Carvajal has been an integral part of Real Madrid’s dominance in Europe.
His tireless running, defensive awareness, and attacking contributions have helped the club to multiple Champions League triumphs and La Liga titles.
For Spain, Carvajal has been equally important, providing experience and composure on the international stage.
His career reflects everything a number 2 should be: disciplined in defense, dangerous in attack, and utterly reliable.
2. Cafu
Cafu changed the way the world viewed right-backs.
The Brazilian legend had stamina beyond belief, running up and down the wing for 90 minutes without losing energy. With his attacking flair, pinpoint crosses, and defensive intelligence, Cafu became one of the most iconic players to wear the number 2 jersey.
Over his career, Cafu won two World Cups with Brazil, Copa America titles, and numerous club honors with São Paulo, Roma, and AC Milan.
He was a leader for both club and country, captaining Brazil to the 2002 World Cup triumph.
Cafu was a pioneer. Long before attacking full-backs became the norm, he was bombing forward, linking play, and terrorizing defenses.
He redefined what it meant to wear the number 2 shirt.
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1. Dani Alves
At the very top stands Dani Alves, he is one of the most decorated footballer in history. With 46 career trophies, Alves is unmatched in terms of success. He combined flair, creativity, and tenacity in a way no right-back before him had managed.
At Barcelona, Alves became the perfect complement to Lionel Messi, providing endless runs down the wing and pinpoint crosses.
He won six La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues at the club, becoming part of one of the greatest teams in history.
Beyond Barcelona, Alves won titles with Sevilla, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, and São Paulo, proving his quality wherever he went.
For Brazil, he lifted the Copa America twice, the Confederations Cup, and an Olympic gold medal.
Alves wasn’t just a right-back; he was a playmaker, a game-changer, and a relentless winner. The number 2 jersey has never shone brighter than when he wore it.
