Untraditional Football shirt numbers
Footballers attachment to the digits beneath their names
It’s quite intriguing to witness Messi playing in the number 30, or Cristiano Ronaldo sporting the number 28 or 9. However, it pales in comparison to the sheer madness of some players donning the numbers 0, 1+8, or even a staggering 99 or 111.
Footballers will go to great lengths to secure their preferred shirt number. In this article, I will delve into the reasons behind their attachment to these digits beneath their names and how they go about selecting them. Additionally, brace yourself for a captivating account of the most absurd, outrageous, and record-breaking shirt numbers in the history of football.
When David Alaba moved to Real Madrid from Bayern Munich, he couldn’t wear his favorite number 27 due to league rules limiting squad numbers to 25. So, he took the number 4 vacated by Sergio Ramos, who in turn went to PSG and took that number off Thilo Kehrer, who was then shunted out to 24.
Similarly, when Messi headed to Paris, he presumably wanted his iconic number 10, but Neymar already wears that. He could have taken the number 11, which he wore at Santos and Barcelona, but di Maria has that number at PSG. So, Messi ended up taking number 30, which he wore in his first two seasons at Barcelona.
Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho went to United and wanted the number 7, but Solskjaer said Cavani had seniority. Sancho took 25 because 2 plus 5 equals 7, but then Ronaldo came back to United, and he’s called CR7 for a reason. So, Cavani let it go.
So, have you wondered why players are so fixated on their jersey numbers? Well, let’s take a trip down memory lane to uncover the origins of this obsession. Back in the day, players didn’t have the luxury of choosing their own numbers. History and tradition played a significant role in shaping this phenomenon. Interestingly, it all started with two little-known Australian clubs before spreading to Argentina and the USA.
Eventually, it took center stage in England during the 1933 FA Cup final. Everton proudly sported numbers 1 to 11, while Manchester City donned 12 to 22. The crowd erupted in thunderous applause as the teams took to the field, their shirts numbered for the very first time in a cup final. Everton in white, 1 to 11, and Manchester City in their 12-22 ensemble. This classic distribution of shirt numbers can be traced back to the 2-3-5 formation, which, although may seem peculiar today, laid the foundation for the numbering system we see in modern football.
So, next time you see players sporting specific numbers, remember that they are paying homage to the traditional positions associated with those iconic shirt numbers.
Certain numbers within the association have achieved iconic status as it has continued to grow, and this has a significant impact on players’ choices when selecting their jersey digits. The numbers 7, 9, and 10 hold the highest prestige, and they are typically reserved for attacking playmakers like Maradona, Ronaldinho and Messi, notable strikers such as Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney, and Ruud van Nistelrooy have also opted for it.
Wearing an iconic number creates a sense of belonging to a prestigious club associated with the greatest players of the game.
The number 9 is considered the classic striker’s number, instantly signaling to fans and defenders that this is the man to watch out for. Alfredo di Stefano was one of the early examples, followed by legends like George Weah, Gabriel Batistuta, Ronaldo Nazario, and Alan Shearer. In the early days, the number 9 was assigned to the starting striker, and this tradition has endured over time.
The number 7 holds a special place in the world of football, especially at Manchester United. It is associated with creativity and has been adorned by legendary players like George Best, Eric Cantona, and David Beckham. Even Sancho expressed his desire to wear it, but unfortunately, he was denied. And now, it is worn by new summer signing from Chelsea, Mason Mount.
However, the weight of such a revered number can sometimes be overwhelming for players. Antonio Valencia, for instance, struggled to find his rhythm while wearing the number 7 shirt and eventually switched back to his previous number, 25.
Unconventional methods were utilized to assign shirt numbers before players made their selections, including arranging them in alphabetical order. This technique was employed by Argentina in the 1974, 78, 82, and 86 World Cups, as well as by the Netherlands for some of those competitions. The results of this alphabetical distribution were quite unusual, with Dutch goalkeeper Jan Jongbloed receiving the number 8 and Argentinian midfielder Ossie Ardiles wearing the number 1.
However, the star players on both teams were permitted to retain their preferred numbers, with Diego Maradona sporting number 10 and Johan Cruyff donning the number 14.
The actions of those two individuals set a precedent that has had a lasting impact on today’s prominent players. It has become a significant aspect of the game in the modern era due to the importance of brand recognition. Nowadays, players have started to associate themselves with their shirt numbers, creating their own personal brand.
This phenomenon has gained even more significance in the age of social media. Cristiano Ronaldo, for instance, wore the number 28 at Sporting and initially the number 17 for Portugal. However, when he joined United, Sir Alex Ferguson bestowed upon him the iconic number 7, which led to the birth of CR7. This nickname and brand have expanded internationally, encompassing various ventures such as hotels, gyms, and even underwear.
However, when Ronaldo moved to Madrid in 2009, things got a bit complicated as club legend Raul still held onto the number seven and was unwilling to part with it.
Raul insistence on the number “ 7 ” caused David Beckham to reconsider his number choice in the past. Despite owning a brand named DB7, Beckham switched to 23 as a tribute to Michael Jordan and as a marketing strategy. He moved to LA to establish himself as a star in the USA and now owns an MLS club.
However, he couldn’t let go of his love for number 7, naming his daughter Harper 7 Beckham. Özil also wore 23 at Real before getting his number 10. At Arsenal, he had to wait for five seasons before he could switch from 11 to 10, which was a bit frustrating considering his brand and social media handles are MO10.
When their desired number is not an option, certain players choose to think outside the box, which brings me to my next topic – an alternative plan. Brazilian Ronaldo is widely recognized as the greatest number 9 in recent history.
But what if you’re a forward who has to compete with him for attention? This was the dilemma faced by Iván Zamorano at Inter, and he devised a clever fix.
RONALDO DESERVED THE NUMBER 9 BECAUSE HE WAS THE BEST IN THE WORLD. I NEVER WORE ANOTHER NUMBER ON THE SHIRT, SO WE HAD TO ASK FOR A SPECIAL PERMIT TO PLAY WITH 1+8. IT BECAME ONE OF THE BEST-SELLING JERSEYS IN THE HISTORY OF ITALIAN FOOTBALL
IVÁN ZAMORANO
The Chilean decided to wear the number 18 and incorporated a plus sign, since 1+8 equals 9.
During his later years at AC Milan, Ronaldo had to come up with innovative ideas and think unconventionally. He decided to go for the number 99. Likewise, Mario Balotelli also chose a number that adds up to 9, specifically 45, similar to Zamorano. Although Balotelli’s choices may not always make sense, it is undeniable that 4 plus 5 equals 9, making that number usually available for selection.
For some players, the specific number they wear is not as important as the level of prestige it represents. This phenomenon is known as “Lower Digit Prestige” and is driven by players’ egos and desire to feel important. When given the choice between a high or low number, many footballers opt for the latter. Examples include Glen Johnson, who chose the number 8 despite being a defender, and Khalid Boulahrouz, who wore the number 9 as a centre-back at Chelsea.
During their time playing for local rivals Everton and Liverpool, Samuel Eto’o and Milan Baroš both donned the number 5 jersey. Meanwhile, Wilfried Bony, Arouna Koné, and Clint Dempsey opted for the number 2 instead of a double-digit number. However, the most peculiar example is William Gallas choosing to wear the number 10 at Arsenal, previously worn by Dennis Bergkamp.
Gallas rejected the number 3 to establish himself as a center-back, and Arsene Wenger didn’t want to burden a forward with Bergkamp comparisons, leading to Gallas being assigned the number 10. This highlights how some players prioritize a number lower than 12 over other considerations.
As the number increases, the player’s significance typically decreases. However, there are certain players who are determined to retain the number they were initially given when they first made an impact. Bastian Schweinsteiger, for example, proudly wore the number 31 throughout his entire career. He obtained this number as a graduate of the youth team and even had to compete with Marouane Fellaini to keep it at United.
On the contrary, some players have no interest in iconic numbers or youth team jerseys. They are not concerned with being clever or creative; their only desire is to be distinctive and make a statement. Goalkeepers, in particular, are often guilty of this.
Cristiano Lupatelli, who was on loan from Roma, decided to defy convention and wear the number 10 jersey while playing as a goalkeeper for Cheivo Verona. Initially, it began as a bet with his friends, but he fully embraced the challenge and made it his own. Similarly, Jorge Campos, known for his extravagant style, surpassed expectations by donning personalized kits and even switching positions to become a striker during matches.
His distinctive approach to the game earned him the well-deserved number 9 jersey.
LAnother goalkeeper, Vítor Baía, etched his name in history by becoming the first player to wear the number 99 in a Champions League final. Gianluigi Donnarumma later followed suit, selecting the same number due to his birth year being 1999. These goalkeepers demonstrated their fearlessness in standing out and leaving their mark on the field.
Adolfo Bautista, the attacking midfielder for Chivas de Guadalajara, created a historic moment by donning the number 100 on his jersey, a rare sight with three digits. Another player, Luisao, proudly showcased the number 111 on his Flamengo jersey back in 2006, in honor of the club’s 111th anniversary. However, the record for the highest number goes to Tommy Orr, who had a remarkable debut for Australia in 2010.
At a mere 18 years old, he stepped onto the field wearing the number 121, assigned to him by the Australian FA as the 121st player for the national team. This unexpected addition compelled him to wear it throughout his debut match.
In football, the number 1 is typically associated with goalkeepers and is considered the lowest number. However, the Scottish league has taken this idea to a whole new level. Let’s take a look at Derek Riordan, who opted for the number 01 when he returned to Hibernian in 2008.
Initially, he wanted the number 10, but it was already taken. So, Hibs agreed to reverse it for him.
Now, you might think that going any lower than 0 is impossible, right? Well, Aberdeen fans managed to persuade their Moroccan signing, Hicham Zerouali, to wear the number 0 due to his name. Sadly, Zerouali met with a tragic car accident in 2004, leading the club to retire the number in his memory. The Scottish league truly pushes the boundaries when it comes to jersey numbers.
Let’s dive a little deeper as we explore the unique superstitions of footballers and their peculiar choices when it comes to luck.
Mario Gomez, for example, consistently rejected the number 9 in favor of his lucky number 33. Similarly, Nicklas Bendtner made some questionable decisions in his career, such as switching from 26 to 52 because he believed it was luckier. Unfortunately, this did not yield the desired results, and there were even rumors of him wanting to double his number to symbolize being twice the player. Additionally, during his time at Wolfsburg, he chose the number 3, possibly for the prestige of a lower digit.
Asamoah Gyan, a striker with a career that took him across three continents, consistently donned the number 3 jersey. Gyan revealed that his brother had suggested this choice, as the number 3 carries immense meaning. The significance of wearing the number 3 extends beyond granting multiple opportunities; it also pays homage to the holy trinity in Christianity.
Let’s wrap up with a few peculiar instances from the United States. Alain Sutter, a Swiss international, sported the number 66 while playing for Dallas Burn as a nod to the famous highway route 66. However, there’s a slight issue – route 66 doesn’t actually pass through Dallas.
Meanwhile, the team Tacoma Defiance has a curious tradition of assigning very high numbers to all their players without any clear rationale. The squad’s lowest number is 18, worn by a player with a low knee, while the goalkeeper Christian Herrera has the lowest permanent number at 31. Interestingly, most of the team members have numbers above 50.
The selection of shirt numbers can be influenced by various factors, including historical importance, superstition, status, and even sheer silliness. It appears that players have the freedom to pick any number from 0 to 121, although certain choices may be more logical than others.
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