Kick-off your imagination with a ‘W’ and watch a world of football wonders unfold.
Meet the mighty maestros whose names begin with the letter that signifies winners, wonderkicks, and world-class wallops.
Are you ready to cheer for the virtuosos and the victorious?
Let’s champion their stories!
10 Most Famous Football Players Whose Name Starts with W:
- Wayne Rooney
- Wesley Sneijder
- Walter Zenga
- Wilfried Zaha
- Wojciech Szczęsny
- Willian
- Wim Kieft
- Wolfgang Overath
- William Gallas
- Włodzimierz Smolarek
Table of Contents
#1 Wayne Rooney
- 🎂 Birthday: October 24, 1985
- 🌎 Nationality: English
- ⚽ Position: Forward
Wayne Rooney is celebrated as one of the greatest English footballers, known for his versatility, vision, and extraordinary goal-scoring ability.
As Manchester United’s all-time top scorer, Rooney won numerous Premier League titles and a Champions League, making his mark with his aggressive play and knack for dramatic goals.
#2 Wesley Sneijder
- 🎂 Birthday: June 9, 1984
- 🌎 Nationality: Dutch
- ⚽ Position: Midfielder
Wesley Sneijder, known for his precise passing, vision, and ability to score from midfield, played a pivotal role in the Netherlands reaching the 2010 World Cup final and Inter Milan’s historic treble in 2010.
His technical skills and playmaking abilities made him one of the top midfielders of his generation.
#3 Walter Zenga
- 🎂 Birthday: April 28, 1960
- 🌎 Nationality: Italian
- ⚽ Position: Goalkeeper
Walter Zenga, one of the greatest goalkeepers of his time, was a key figure for Inter Milan and the Italian national team.
Known as “Spiderman” for his incredible reflexes and shot-stopping ability, Zenga won the IFFHS World’s Best Goalkeeper award three times consecutively.
#4 Wilfried Zaha
- 🎂 Birthday: November 10, 1992
- 🌎 Nationality: Ivorian (born in Ivory Coast, raised in England)
- ⚽ Position: Forward/Winger
Wilfried Zaha is known for his dribbling skills, speed, and ability to take on defenders.
A key player for Crystal Palace, Zaha has consistently been one of the Premier League’s most exciting wingers, contributing crucial goals and assists.
#5 Wojciech Szczęsny
- 🎂 Birthday: April 18, 1990
- 🌎 Nationality: Polish
- ⚽ Position: Goalkeeper
Wojciech Szczęsny, noted for his reflexes and command of the penalty area, has been a reliable presence between the posts for Arsenal, Roma, and Juventus.
His performances have helped secure league titles and his stature continues to grow as one of Europe’s leading goalkeepers.
#6 Willian
- 🎂 Birthday: August 9, 1988
- 🌎 Nationality: Brazilian
- ⚽ Position: Winger
Willian is celebrated for his quick pace, agility, and ability to score from free-kicks.
His technical skill and work rate made him a key player for Chelsea and now Arsenal, contributing to multiple domestic trophy wins during his time in England.
#7 Wim Kieft
- 🎂 Birthday: November 12, 1962
- 🌎 Nationality: Dutch
- ⚽ Position: Striker
Wim Kieft is best known for his role in the Netherlands’ European Championship-winning team in 1988.
A prolific goal scorer, Kieft played for clubs like Ajax and PSV, where he was renowned for his heading ability and crucial goals.
#8 Wolfgang Overath
- 🎂 Birthday: September 29, 1943
- 🌎 Nationality: German
- ⚽ Position: Midfielder
Wolfgang Overath was a key player for the West German national team, known for his precise passing and tactical intelligence.
He played a significant role in Germany’s 1974 World Cup victory, and his career at 1. FC Köln was marked by consistent excellence.
#9 William Gallas
- 🎂 Birthday: August 17, 1977
- 🌎 Nationality: French
- ⚽ Position: Defender
William Gallas was a versatile defender known for his strength, tackling, and ability to play across the backline.
He made significant contributions to Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham, as well as the French national team, showcasing his defensive skills in the Premier League and international tournaments.
#10 Włodzimierz Smolarek
- 🎂 Birthday: July 16, 1957
- 🌎 Nationality: Polish
- ⚽ Position: Forward
Włodzimierz Smolarek was a key figure for the Polish national team during the 1980s, particularly in the 1982 World Cup where Poland finished third.
His skill, work rate, and goal-scoring ability were crucial for both his country and his clubs in Poland and the Netherlands.
Other football players whose name starts with W
- Waldo Machado – Brazilian, Forward
- Waldemar Victorino – Uruguayan, Forward
- Walter Samuel – Argentine, Centre-Back
- Warren Barton – English, Defender
- Wataru Endo – Japanese, Midfielder
- Wayne Bridge – English, Left-Back
- Wendell – Brazilian, Left-Back
- Wes Morgan – Jamaican, Centre-Back
- Wesley Hoedt – Dutch, Centre-Back
- Wesley Lopes da Silva – Brazilian, Midfielder
- Wesley Sonck – Belgian, Forward
- Wilfred Ndidi – Nigerian, Midfielder
- William Carvalho – Portuguese, Defensive Midfielder
- William Kvist – Danish, Midfielder
- Wilson Palacios – Honduran, Midfielder
- Winfried Schäfer – German, Midfielder (Notable for his managerial career)
- Winston Reid – New Zealander, Centre-Back
- Wojciech Kowalczyk – Polish, Forward
- Wolfgang Dremmler – German, Midfielder
- Wolfgang Weber – German, Defender
FAQ
Which famous football players have names that start with “W”?
Wayne Rooney, Wesley Sneijder, and Walter Zenga are some of the most famous football players whose names start with “W”. These individuals have left a significant mark on the sport with their exceptional skills and contributions.
Which Premier League players have names that start with “W”?
Wilfried Zaha and William Gallas are Premier League players whose names start with “W”. They have had impactful careers with various English clubs in the top flight of English football.