As Sofascore celebrates its 15th birthday, we decided to look beyond our own history and explore how the number 15 shows up in the world of sports. It turns out it appears in some of the most memorable moments and legendary careers across all sports. From perfect dribbling displays to Champions League dominance, these stories show just how often the number finds its way into sports history.

Here are some of the most interesting ones.

Lionel Messi – 15/15 Successful Dribbles

In his last-ever Barcelona appearance, Lionel Messi completed a perfect 15 out of 15 dribbles, the only player to do so in a single match across Europe’s top five leagues since 2015/16. Even in his final game for the club, he still delivered something nobody else could match.

Real Madrid – 15 Champions League Titles

When it comes to Europe’s biggest stage, Real Madrid stand alone. Their 15 UEFA Champions League trophies are the most in the competition’s history, a record that keeps growing and a reminder of their unmatched presence in European football.

Zlatan Ibrahimović – 15 Shots in One MLS Match

Only one MLS player since 2016 has ever attempted 15 shots in a single match – Zlatan Ibrahimović. It happened in 2019, in true Zlatan fashion: confident and always looking for one more goal.

Nikola Jokić – The Power of No. 15

Denver’s No. 15, Nikola Jokić, became the only NBA player ever to finish top three in points, assists, rebounds, and steals per game across a full season. With his all-round Sofascore Rating of 8.85, he showed why his jersey number fits him so well.

Cristiano Ronaldo – 15 UCL Knockout Assists

In the Champions League knockout stages since 2003/04, only one player has reached 15 assists: Cristiano Ronaldo. Just another line in a long list of records showing how decisive he was in Europe’s biggest matches.

Michael Schumacher & Lewis Hamilton – 15 Straight F1 Seasons With a Win

Two of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history share a rare mark: 15 consecutive seasons with at least one Grand Prix victory. Michael Schumacher did it first, then Lewis Hamilton matched it, a testament to consistency at the highest possible level.

Tim Howard – 15 Saves in One World Cup Match

During the 2014 World Cup, Tim Howard produced one of the tournament’s most iconic goalkeeping performances, making 15 saves against Belgium, the most in a single World Cup match since 1966. A game that turned into instant folklore.

Jannik Sinner – A 15–2 ATP Finals Record

With a remarkable 15–2 win/loss record at the ATP Finals, Jannik Sinner holds an 88.2% win rate, the highest among singles players who’ve played more than five matches at the tournament. A sign of how quickly he became a force at the year’s biggest indoor event.

Max Dowman – UCL Debut at 15 Years Old

Max Dowman became the first player ever to make his UEFA Champions League debut at just 15 years old. Stepping onto the biggest club stage at that age is rare enough, doing it for Arsenal makes the story even more impressive.

Novak Đoković – The Only Player With All 15 Major Tennis Titles

Novak Đoković is the only singles player in tennis history to win all 15 major titles: all 4 Grand Slams, all 9 Masters 1000 tournaments, the ATP Finals, and an Olympic gold medal. A complete set that nobody else has ever achieved.

Chelsea 2004/05 – Only 15 Goals Conceded

José Mourinho’s 2004/05 Chelsea side set a defensive record that still stands: just 15 goals conceded in an entire Premier League season. No team has ever allowed fewer.

Rogério Ceni – First Senior Goal on the 15th of February

The highest-scoring goalkeeper in football history, Rogério Ceni, scored the first goal of his senior career on the 15th of February 1997. He went on to score 131 goals, a number most outfield players would be proud of.

Ronaldo – 15 World Cup Goals

Brazil’s legendary No. 9 scored 15 goals across his World Cup career, making him the second-highest scorer in the competition’s history. A total built on power, timing, and the kind of finishing instinct that defined a generation.

Patrick Mahomes – Record-Breaking Season Wearing No. 15

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, wearing the now-famous No. 15, produced the most combined passing and rushing yards ever recorded by a QB in a single NFL season: 5,608 yards in 2022/23.

Jay-Jay Okocha – 15 Dribbles in a World Cup Match

Since 1966, only one player has completed 15 dribbles in a single World Cup match: Jay-Jay Okocha in Nigeria’s 1994 game against Italy. A performance that perfectly captured his flair and fearlessness on the ball.

The Impact of Number 15

The number 15 shows up everywhere in sports – in records, debuts, landmark seasons, and unforgettable performances. As Sofascore celebrates 15 years, these moments highlight just how often this number sits next to greatness. From Messi’s perfect dribbles to Mahomes’ historic season, the stories behind the number show why fans love digging into stats: they reveal the details that make sports special.

Read more: Sofascore Turns 15: Celebrating 15 Years of the Platform Fans Love