The shirt is an inheritance.

Didier Drogba

Chelsea FC · 2004–2012, 2014–15

Wore 11 and 15 before settling on 22 late in his Chelsea career — and wore it when he lifted the Champions League in 2012.

Ángel Di María

Argentina / PSG / Juventus · 2009–

The number he took to World Cup glory in Qatar 2022. Scored the second goal in the final wearing it.

Paul Scholes (early)

Manchester United · 1994–1999

Wore 22 through his breakthrough years before graduating to 18. The quiet engine of the 1999 Treble.

Memphis Depay

Netherlands, Barcelona, Atlético · 2013–

Personal brand number. Wears it almost anywhere a 22 is free.

Kaká (at Milan)

AC Milan · 2003–2009

Took 22 at Milan before it became his number at Real Madrid too. Won the Ballon d'Or in 2007 wearing it.

Elgin Baylor

Los Angeles Lakers · 1958–1971

His 22 is retired at Crypto.com Arena. One of the pioneers of modern forward play.

Jimmy Butler

Miami Heat · 2019–

Picked 22 after leaving Philadelphia. Made it synonymous with play-off grit.

Clyde Drexler

Portland, Houston · 1983–1998

NBA champion in 1995, retired 22 in Portland.

Rolando Blackman

Dallas Mavericks · 1981–1992

Four-time All-Star whose 22 hangs from the American Airlines Center rafters.

Clayton Kershaw

Los Angeles Dodgers · 2008–

Three-time Cy Young, 2014 NL MVP, World Series champion 2020 — all in 22.

Will Clark

San Francisco Giants · 1986–1994

Retired by the Giants. One of the most elegant left-handed swings of the era.

Mike Moustakas

Royals / others · 2011–

Carried 22 from Kansas City through Milwaukee and Cincinnati. 2015 World Series winner.

Yuvraj Singh

India · 2000–2019

Wore 12 most of his career, but 22 became symbolic — the pitch length he routinely cleared with those six sixes off Broad in 2007.

Morné Morkel

South Africa · 2006–2018

One of the tallest fast bowlers in Test history, often photographed with '22 yards' quoted as a joke about the distance he actually had to cover.

Keith Wood

Ireland / Harlequins · 1994–2003

Wore 2 on the field, but 'the 22' of Irish rugby refers to the line he defended with ferocity.

Leigh Halfpenny

Wales / Lions · 2008–

Known for his kicking inside the 22-metre line; arguably the most accurate 22-drop-kicker of the modern era.

Emmitt Smith

Dallas Cowboys · 1990–2004

All-time rushing leader, three-time Super Bowl champion. His 22 is the number Dallas has never reissued.

Doug Williams

Washington Redskins · 1978–1989

Super Bowl XXII MVP — the first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl, and the number twenty-two was in the Super Bowl's name.