Over the years, there have been a lot of players who wore the no. 8 shirt. Only a select handful have made a name for themselves by donning this particular number. This figure has been worn by a number of talented footballers who have wowed us during their playing time.Â
Some of these extraordinary men are still active playing or in management, and today we honor them. You can wager on their matches with Betway sports, regardless of the leagues they are playing in.
Hristo Stoichkov – Barcelona
Hristo Stoichkov is regarded as one of the best forwards of his time. In 1990, he joined Barcelona and was a member of Johan Cruyff’s “Dream Team,” which won four league titles in a row and one Champions League victory.
He scored six goals to lead Bulgaria to fourth place in the 1994 World Cup, earning him the World Cup Golden Shoe. He was also awarded the World Cup Bronze Ball, which is given to the World Cup’s third-best player.
For his top performances for club and country, he won the Ballon d’Or in 1994. He has also won five Bulgarian Footballer of the Year titles and has been a runner-up for the FIFA World Player of the Year award.
Andres Iniesta – Barcelona
Former Barcelona midfielder who wore the number 8 was one of the finest midfielders of the modern era. For rival defenders and midfielders alike, the twinkle-toed ex-Spanish international was a nightmare to face. His dribbling skill and penchant for always finding a way out of tight circumstances made him one of football’s most dangerous opponents.
He established a deadly midfield triangle with Xavi Hernández and Sergio Busquets that helped Barcelona win several La Liga, Copa Del Rey, and UEFA Champions League trophies. Andres now turns out for Vissel Kobe in the Japanese top flight, and Betway has all the matches from all Asian leagues.Â
Steven Gerrard – Liverpool
For many years, the ex-England star was the lifeblood of his childhood club, Liverpool. The great Reds bestrode the Anfield turf while wearing his legendary number 8 shirt. Gerrard was a charismatic Liverpool captain who scored lots of crucial goals during his stay on Merseyside. Despite not winning any league titles, he was able to lead his side to a UEFA Champions League victory in 2005.
Frank Lampard – ChelseaÂ
The Chelsea icon is widely regarded as one of the best English midfielders of all time. When he played for the Blues and England, the all-action goal-scoring box-to-box midfielder was known for wearing the number 8 shirt. Lampard was gifted with excellent skill and vision, which enabled him to assist and score several goals throughout his illustrious career.
He is now the manager for EPL side Everton, and has a task on his hands to beat relegation with the Toffees. Bet with Betway if you think Everton will survive or face the drop.
Gennaro Gattuso – AC Milan
The no-nonsense, uncompromising former AC Milan midfielder was an utter menace on the field. His all-action, tough-tackling approach made him a fan favorite at San Siro. Gattuso was clearly identifiable by his number eight. In the mid-2000s, the tough-looking midfielder was a key player of the successful Rossoneri team.
Sócrates Vieira de Oliveira - Brazil
The former Brazilian midfielder was a member of the enthralling Brazil squad that wowed and thrilled fans at the 1982 World Cup. During the competition, Socrates wore the number 8. Between May 1979 and June 1986, he made 60 appearances for Brazil, scoring 22 goals.
