Thursday 12/March/2026 – 08:39 AM
In football, each number has its own story. Some numbers are associated with legends, and others were the beginning of the path for stars who later made their names. Among these numbers stands out the number 22, which was carried by players who left their mark in different ways on the field. Some of them were playmakers with exceptional vision, some were fast wingers who made a difference with their skill, and others presented consistent performances that made the number a part of their football identity.
The number 22 was never just a passing choice, but was often associated with players who had a special personality on the field. Players who prefer to work in silence, but their influence clearly appears in decisive moments, so we saw this number present with stars from different football schools, from Europe to Africa and the Arab world.
Ramadan Stories.. No. 22 When the shirt becomes a sign of a different presence
And in a new episode of Ramadan storiesWe stop at number 22 to review the stories of a group of players who wore it at different stages of their careers, and left unforgettable moments with it for the fans of their clubs and teams.
Angel Di Maria
Argentine Di Maria is considered one of the most prominent wingers in modern football. He wore the number 22 shirt during periods of his career, and he performed at distinguished levels thanks to his great speed and high skills.
Di Maria was distinguished by his ability to make a difference in big matches, whether by making or scoring goals, becoming one of the important elements in the teams he played for.
Ricardo Kaka
In his European debut with AC Milan, the Brazilian star Kaka wore the number 22 shirt before he later switched to the number 10. During that period, Kaka showed his exceptional talent in making plays and launching with the ball from deep, later becoming one of the greatest players of his generation and crowned with the Golden Ball in 2007.
Arturo Vidal
Chilean Arturo Vidal is known for his fighting spirit on the field, and the number 22 was associated with his name at more than one point during his career. Vidal was a complete player in the midfield, combining physical strength with the ability to score and create chances, to become one of the most important players of his generation in his position.
Antonio Rudiger
German defender Rudiger was known for his strong style and solid personality on the field. He wore the number 22 at some stages of his career. Rudiger is distinguished by his ability to lead the back line with great confidence, in addition to his contribution on set pieces, both defensively and offensively.
Isco
The Spanish Isco is considered one of the most prominent playmakers who wore the number 22, as he was distinguished by his high technical skills and his ability to control the rhythm of the game. Isco provided distinctive technical moments thanks to his precise dribbles and decisive passes that made the difference in many matches.
Eric Abidal
The number 22 was associated with French defender Abidal during his career with FC Barcelona, where he was one of the important elements in the team’s defensive line.
Abidal’s story was not only a sporting one, but also a humanitarian one, after he returned to the field with strength after suffering from illness, becoming an example of will and challenge.
Hakim Ziyech
Moroccan Hakim Ziyech is distinguished by his special artistic style, and the number 22 has been associated with his name in more than one football station. With his magical left foot and his ability to create goals, Ziyech has become a player capable of changing the course of matches with a single pass or a long shot.
Muhammad Abu Trika
The Prince of Hearts and one of the legends of Al-Ahly Club and Egyptian football, as the most famous number in Mohamed Aboutrika’s career was 22, and his name has always been linked to historical moments with Al-Ahly Club and the Egyptian national team.
Aboutrika was known for his ability to win big matches, and left a lasting imprint in the hearts of the fans thanks to his decisive goals and distinguished performance, and to this moment he is still called the fans’ darling.
Saleh Juma
The legacy of the number 22 in Al-Ahly after Mohamed Abu Trika did not continue with a specific player, after many players wore the number 22 after Abu Trika and were not up to the responsibility of the number. Saleh Gomaa was one of the most prominent Egyptian talents who wore the number 22, as he was known for his individual skills and his ability to create games with a distinctive artistic touch, as he presented remarkable skill shots that made the fans expect a great future for him in the stadiums, and they called him Abu Trika’s successor in the Egyptian stadiums, but Mentality was the most important factor that did not make him continue and disappoint the fans.
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Imam Ashour
Imam Ashour represents a model for the modern player in the midfield, as he combines physical strength and the ability to shoot from long distances. He wore the number 22 and everyone expects him to be the successor to Mohamed Aboutrika in the Egyptian stadiums, as he provides a strong performance that has made him one of the most prominent midfielders in Egyptian and African football in recent years.
Mohamed Salah
The number 22 was a good omen for Mohamed Salah, who played for Swiss club Basel before moving to Chelsea and beginning his European journey.
Mohamed Salah also wore the number in one of the friendly matches with the national team, and he said: It was nice for me, and people in Basel were watching these matches and they called me and told me that the number 22 shirt is reserved for you.
The Egyptian professional played in the Swiss club Basel. He excelled with the number 22 until he moved to Chelsea, where the number changed to 15 and from there to 74 in the Italian club Fiorentina, then the number 11 in Rome and Liverpool.
