WHY shirt numbers are a big thing

[@cyav.e3234]

Correction on messi's number : Neymar actually offers him the number 10, but refuses to take it and instead use the first number he uses when he first debuted as a Barcelona player which is number 30

[@Gabriel-mz8fk]

True

[@abrahamsneo7783]

KDB would be proud

[@dennislakili7245]

Who was there to prove it

[@-_Nuke_-]

Messi is the humble 🐐!

[@titusxp]

CR7 could learn a thing or two from that

[@kadir61plays]

In Turkey, it is very common for players to wear a number that corresponds to the license plate number of the province they are from. There are 81 provinces in Turkey so you quite often can see players from Trabzon wearing 61, from Izmir wearing 35, or from Kocaeli wearing 41 etc. I can also remember one goalkeeper having the really odd number 10 on his shirt, turns out he was from Balıkesir, the province with the license plate number 10.

[@theemirofjaffa2266]

Oh.. that's weird..lol

[@sumanbaral8457]

GK :” Its not 10,I like binary number system….There is no classic 10 player anymore .” 😂

[@deqwek99]

It is not limited to football. Alperen Şengün who plays for Houston Rockets in NBA wears 28 (Giresun)

[@jon27d]

I always fought for the 17 shirt. I wanted 13 in my 1st youth team jersey but it was already taken. 17 was the next number available so I reluctantly took it but then got attached to it over time. I always fought for it after that and now my son has adopted the 17 after he found out it had always been my number.

[@saisojjos5429]

me too!! :)

[@nishipalphukan2452]

I went for the number 13 and luckily I got it as nobody wanted it.

[@joaquinmeek5161]

I go for 17 because my birthday numbers add up to it. It is also prime.

[@lenninho5113]

that’s highkey cute

[@ryanbetrand4600]

I'm going for 73

[@magicsteve5523]

7:16 This is the same thing Wayne Gretzky did in ice hockey, he wanted Gordie Howe’s iconic number 9 but it was taken so he settled for 99. As Gretzky has never been matched as a player, no NHL player can wear 99 as it is retired league-wide.

[@Phoenix.219]

In my country in cricket number 10 is unofficially retired but players refused to wear it out of respect for the player as he is considered the best in cricket worldwide.. Usually number 10 is most sought jersey in cricket as all the best players in their team used to wear 10

[@charlesray9674]

In Italy (using 4-4-2), at least at AC Milan, defenders wore 2, 5, 6, 3 with 13 on the bench. midfielders had 7, 4, 8 and 11 with forwards wearing 9, 10 with 16 on the bench. Back when Serie A only allowed 3 non-Italians, the numbers 8, 9 and 10 always seemed to be worn by their Dutch trio: Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten. respectively.

[@komodododo7961]

#3&6 are retired numbers after Maldini and Baresi used them. Only their offsprings can use them in the future

[@charlesray9674]

@@komodododo7961 I remember watching playing. Defenders Mauro Tassotti or Christian Panucci wearing #2, Alexandro "Billy" Costacurta #5 and Filippo Galli #13. Misfielders Demetrio Albertini #4, Roberto Donadoni #7 and Alberigo Evani #11. Forwards Daniele Massaro #9 and Marco Simone #16. Goalkeepers Sebastiano Rossi #1 and Francesco Antonioli #12. Stefano Nava (D) 13 or 14, Stefano Eranio (MF) 14 or 15 and Gianluigi Lentini (MF) 15 usually the rotating subs off the bench. (SIGH)

[@williamrivera74]

I grew up in brazil and there it was the following: goalies(1, 12, 22) wingers (2 and 6) def (3 and 4) mid (5, 8,10 ) attacking positions (7, 9, 11)

[@marvin.a.flores]

Forza Milan!!

[@da_pawz]

@@charlesray9674 I rem from different era (late 90's early 2000) GK 1.Rossi or 12. Abiatti , DL 3 Maldini, DC 5 Costacurta, DC 26 Luigi Sala or 14 Ayala, DR 2 Thomas Helveg, MF 18 Leonardo, 10 Boban, 23 Ambrosini or 4 Albertini 24 Guly or 8 Donadoni FW 20 Bierhoff and 9 Weah after that come 7 Shevchenko, 8 Gattuso, 1 Dida, 27 Serginho, 10 Rui Costa, 13 Kaladze (who took number 4 after 13 Nesta came), 21 Pirlo and 9 Inzhagi, 11 Rivaldo, 20 Seedorf, 22 Kaka, 32 Brocchi, 15 Jon Dahl Tomasson. I still remember their number because I really follow AC Milan journey at that time :D

[@Tom_de_Oliveira]

My favourite is rogerio Ceni who after scoring his 100th goal as a keeper wore the number 001 👌

[@9hajduk]

Tacoma has high numbers because they’re associated with Seattle Sounders as their feeder team. They can play for both teams during the same season therefore they already have a squad number ready.

[@aviserig]

Wasn't that the reason a lot of backup keepers in MLS had the number 18? Either that or Rimando.

[@Nobody-jj3jv]

What kind of a league has players playing for 2 teams is that even real?

[@aviserig]

@@Nobody-jj3jv it's more like playing for the Major and Minor leagues in the same baseball season

[@95zzz]

@@Nobody-jj3jv only comparison in football that comes kinda close is the Redbull Teams, where Leipzig get the standout players of the Salzburg squad, and salzburg signs the best Liefering players

[@bastianx8772]

@@95zzz yeah,and bayern signs the best of dortmund. It won't be a surprise if next season they sign Haaland

[@pabloski10k]

In Chile, goalkeeper Sergio "Superman" Vargas wore number 188 for official league matches.

[@Oirad62]

I remember, it was to advertise the Telefónica company

[@Baileyf1008]

I'm fond of 21. Pirlo is one of my favorite players. I love how he handles and passes the ball so i took it upon myself to be like that too, so i rock 21.

[@georgepopovici9860]

I do too. My coach was reluctant to give anyone in the squad a number above 20 but I managed to convince him

Also it's my Birthdate too, I like it a lot

[@onurbschrednei4569]

Another famous player with that number was Philipp Lahm!

[@BYRON..]

i was given 21 as my first number and i just thought it fit.

[@gwenaelorain7166]

Dinho in his 1st year for PSG, Zidane for Juve...

[@jotamodesto]

An important mention is Rogério Ceni, he played for Sao Paulo FC for his entire career and at some point he used 01 in his shirt as reference to the number 10, this is because as goalkeeper he's also scored goals and this became iconic for SPFC supporters.

[@NazriB]

Lies again? Champions USMNT 7 Times Brazil 5 Times

[@heichan8657]

"The highest number ever worn is 121" Vikkstar: I don't think so

[@yungtrashlord]

i was about to say that lmao btw, for those who don't know and dw people, vikkstar wore the jersey number 123

[@rmkw4291]

So that's where Corinthians' Roger Guedes got the inspiration for his new number.

[@paulovinicios3273]

Roger Guedes from Corinthians is 123...

[@mrhz4939]

Finally A comment mention Roger Guedes 's jersey number. 123 is the highest jersey number for now.

[@NcWcN1]

Mexican youth clubs: "that's cute"

[@MFachrizalR]

My favorite number which I wear in so many occasions is 18, because of simply it's my birth date, and 18 is a flexible number that won't feel awkward to be played in any position both as a starter or as a substitute player. Also it doesn't have huge pressure like the single digit number and don't associate with any superstition.

[@dabereogbuishi7533]

Or, it simply means Cruyff was twice as good.

[@GarkKahn]

Like the famous strikers wearing 18, it's both 9x2 and 1+8

[@BATMAN-hk7sx]

14 is probably top5 most iconic numbers and all that came from cruyff

[@bastianx8772]

@@BATMAN-hk7sx thierry henry: Arsenal

[@nathanlin0429]

So Messi is 30 times better than Alisson...

[@marceloazr7231]

C r i n g e

[@joelwagg8314]

There are also numbers that mean more at certain clubs. 7 is an important number anywhere, but it’s massive at man u as you mentioned. 14 is big at Arsenal because of Henry. Players like to honour their hero’s number if they can.

[@theleesidesnowman1127]

I always go for number 8 if I can because it’s the number my dad wore as a professional rugby player, so it means to me what he means to me.

[@bppmurphy]

Your dad wasn't Anthony Foley by any chance?

[@theleesidesnowman1127]

@@bppmurphy nah, guess again Edit: RIP Axel

[@bppmurphy]

@@theleesidesnowman1127 sure Anthony was a Limerick man 😬 oops

[@theleesidesnowman1127]

@@bppmurphy yah he was, but my dad was a Munster player too so you’re close

[@DiegoSanchez-li7qt]

In Mexico youth players make their debuts with very high numbers. Diego Lainez made his debut with number 340

[@JB2387]

When Trent Alexander-Arnold became a regular starter people kept complaining about his number 66, even pundit were mentioning it all the time, now I think he has started a trend, particularly in the Premier League of youth players keeping hold of their higher shirt number when they reach the first team, even Phil Foden can be mentioned, but I suspect he'll take on the number 7 when Raheem Sterling leaves City in a few seasons. I suspect it's probably part of possible branding in the future for younger players too because they're no longer just players, they are an entire brand, which as I say will entwine with a marketing platform. We'll be seeing a vast array of higher shirt number in the coming seasons in the Premier League where 7, 9, 10, 11, will no longer be sought-after like they once were, and a larger number will have a connection to a brand a particular player has been building since the age of 10. They do this in other sports, most predominantly American sports (NFL, NBA, Baseball) and with the influence of Americanization bleeding into other sports it was just a matter of time.

[@edwardchandler4523]

Is the 66 a nod to the 1966 World Cup?

[@JB2387]

@@edwardchandler4523 I'm not sure, I doubt it, it's probably a connection to a family member, many players choose their numbers because a family member has a connection to that number so that's probably it but I can't say for certain. I don't think he's ever talked about why he wears 66, or if he has I haven't heard.

[@cameron9385]

@@edwardchandler4523 There was no reason for it. The LFC youth staff like to give youth players high numbers to stop them "thinking they've made it straight away". He just picked out 66 and the rest is history. Him keeping it makes sense too, it'll be iconic and always linked to him!

[@unlockedaccount]

@@cameron9385 most clubs give their youth players high numbers

[@Yhghhbggh]

Fun fact about fodens number, he’s actually already been offered a number change but rejected it as he wanted to keep 47 because it’s the age that his grandfather passed away at

[@icemanstormer2087]

There's also the iconic 13 shirt of Alessandro Nesta. It was his first shirt in Lazio's Youth teams, and he never changed it. But, by being a legend for all defenders, especially in Italy, some other defenders took that number. Defenders like Bastoni (for the Euro 2020), or Davide Astori, former Fiorentina's captain, who tragically died some years ago. There also many numbers that have been retired, like in AC Milan, in which there is also a Number 9 shirt curse, since Filippo Inzaghi retired.

[@perfilgenerico8717]

Serbian midfielder and Flamemgo icon Dejan Petcković weared 43 for his free kick goal on 43th minute of the second half that gave us a state chapionship on his first time playing for Fla. In that season wearing 43 he won Brazilian league Edit: Adriano was wearing the number 10 and that's why he had to go with something else

[@ratedpending]

yooo another 43 fan what's good? I wore 43 because my favorite basketball player as a kid was Paul Pierce, and I always forgot if he wore 34 or 43 (turns out I got it wrong, but that just means 43 is more unique)

[@hydrolifetech7911]

I chose number 8 when I was playing youth football. It's the number which took a lot of struggle for me to learn to write when I joined kindergarten. I have always chosen it as my lucky number since and I like to think it as a sign of dedication to achieve something

[@All_About_the_Benjamins]

I think it’s because you were trying to ✍️ it in one fluid motion. Instead you could’ve been thought to ✍️ it as two circles.

[@strikesaviour15]

When I first played as a kid, I always go for number 6, because as a defender I always looked up to Franco Baresi. But later on, when playing in middle school and high school, the small numbers were reserved for the varsity team. So, I began wearing number 15, as 1+5=6. Somehow it became my favorite number everywhere I go. Even if number 6 is available, I always chose 15 instead. Even today I still wear number 15

[@Malsawma22]

Ramos 15 for Spain

[@strikesaviour15]

Ramos wears 15 for Spain in honor of Antonio Puerta, who was his best friend along with Jesus Navas. Puerta wore the number 16. So, Ramos chose 15, which was Puerta's last worn and most associated with when he was playing for the national team. Navas did the same when he played at Man City, wearing 15. But when Navas went back to Sevilla, he wore 16, the number that Puerta used at Sevilla, as a tribute to his best friend. Beautiful tribute, RIP Antonio Puerta.

[@Malsawma22]

@@strikesaviour15 Knowledge gained

[@theemirofjaffa2266]

@@strikesaviour15 who's Puerta? Was he the one that collapsed on the pitch?

[@strikesaviour15]

@@theemirofjaffa2266 Yes, he collapsed during the match Sevilla against Getafe in 2007 due to cardiac arrest. RIP Antonio Puerta.

[@astro7484]

Can't believe I did not see Trent here. He was the first name in my head

[@brandonnyagechi6917]

22. That's the number I've worn since my academy days and I still wear it now. I just love 22 cause I play multiple positions. So even if I'm in goal or striking up top 22 suits me perfectly

[@gedearimbawa1985]

Love 22 because kaka

[@fluvv9642]

for me it's 32, i choose it because the number it looks good

[@smharyanto4660]

@@fluvv9642 for me 69 is the number that look good🤣

[@GarkKahn]

28 and 46 The first for my grandfather and the other because i'm a valentino rossi fan, also both numbers equals 10 and also i can either play as 2,4,6 and 8 haha

[@fluvv9642]

@@smharyanto4660 hadehhh 😂😂

[@arimagiiik3214]

I chose 16. Always wanted 9 or 11 after Miroslav Klose. 16 was my first given number. It's one that I grew to love and stick with

[@babitz0r]

klose scored 16 goals on world cups

[@alistairmcintosh9520]

"And yes underwear" "That was BRIEFLY messed up ... " I see what you did there :)

[@vitorpavani7125]

Recently in Brazil Roger Guedes used the number 123 for Corinthians before being given the number 9 and later the number 10. I have no idea why he would pick such a strange number, but he was probably the best number 123 in the history of football. When Ronaldinho arrived at Atlético Mineiro in 2012 he used the number 10 was already taken by Guilherme, so he picked the number 49, the year of his mother's birth. She was going through serious health problems at the time and he took the chance to pay homage to his old lady. Romário was definitely a number 9 in role, style and positioning, but he barely used that number through his career and prefered the number 11. So it happens that he was a left winger at the start of his career so he got really attached to the number even when his role and playstyle changed. In the 1994 Zinho had to play with the number 9 that Romario did not take. So that team had a Left Winger / Midfielder that played with the number 9 and a center forward that played with the number 11. São Paulo's legend Rogério Ceni is to this day the Goalkeeper that scored most goals in Football (131) and he wore the number 01 for a good chunk of his career. It was a reverse number 10 because the dude scored tons of free kicks and was probably the most technnicaly gifted goalkeeper in the history of the game when it comes to playing with his feet. In the 1958 World Cup the Brazilian Squad did not submit their numbers to FIFA in time so the whole squad numbers were chosen randomly. A lot of strange stuff on this one: Goalkeeper Gilmar had the number 3 while the left back Oreco had the number 8 and Center Back Zózimo had the number 9. The wingers ended up switched: Left Winger Zagallo played with the 7 and Right Winger Garrincha got the 11. The most strange: the number 10 ended up with 17 year old Pelé purely by chance. He'd become the player that would give the number 10 a meaning.

[@taehwankim8215]

I always choose #25 because Gianfranco Zola had worn #25 at Chelsea. I really liked his playing style. He was small physically, but he was very big player on the pitch.

[@splitsecondblackswan]

No one cares what you choose..go eat your egg fried rice

[@magnusthefanboy6709]

11 is my favorite. Although 19 is a close second. 19 because it was the first shirt i wore for my youth team at age 7. 11 because of Ryan Giggs

[@flansexovich7757]

11 is god tier

[@flansexovich7757]

11 is like the lowkey best player with the 10 being the star and above the 9 and 7

[@homerj.simpson7562]

I don't recall why exactly it happened, but German goalkeeper Georg Koch had some kind of dispute with his club Arminia Bielefeld and ended up wearing the #2 shirt for the 98-99 season.

[@viniciusferrari2653]

02:39 here in Brazil, usually number 5 is the CDM number, 6 is the LB number, and 3/4 is the RCB/LCB number. also, my team's manager, the Portuguese Abel Ferreira, also uses number 5 to refer to the CDM position. Cool to see these variations of the beautiful game through the world.

[@brightgrantson7]

12:09 Asamoah Gyan 3. One of Ghana's greatest striker

[@fidelramirez5173]

also in Mexico a bunch of clubs have players with 3 digit numbers, usually in the 200s, but those are mainly reserved for the youngsters who come from the reserve team and are on their first senior season with the club. for example, edson alvarez at america started wearing 282, before switching to 4 a bit later on

[@wolfgangnomi8837]

Liga MX has had a few players wear numbers in the 400s for senior club matches....

[@EugenesBackpack]

Fernando Ortiz and a few others wore number 125 because of some bank advertisements

[@ndhavukogift9903]

Rui patricio wore #11 at wolves as the keeper 😂

[@eudabelicioso]

If i remember correctly...It was in honor of their Championship Goal Keeper Ikeme. He was ill with cancer, i believe...so all the goalkeepers agreed to leave the number 1 open while he was out getting treatment.

[@seeyouaround223]

Chelsea keeper Mendy wears #16

[@kieronparr3403]

Yeah the no 1 is retired so keepers go 11, 21, 31

[@bri1085]

@@seeyouaround223 there's nothing special about a goalie wearing any number above 11. Alisson wore 13 his first season, Ederson wears 31

[@zuhalahsanauliya496]

Radamel Falcao wears #3 at Rayo Vallecano

[@aidanjanemcintosh6919]

When I was still playing, I always wear number 12. It's pronounced "juu ni" in Japanese, which sounds like June, the month I was born in. Though I mostly played left back, and our club normally gave out number 1-11 to whoever start the game, but as a first team member I started swapping my shirt and after a while they just stopped caring any longer.

[@feliperigonefrancischetti6886]

Roger Guedes is playing with the 123 for Corinthians this season.

[@lmaonade.]

I picked 79 as my number as left back because of a cup my great grandfather used to drink from. He was a slave, and so he marked it so it wouldn't get stolen by the others. They used to carry one cup around for every drink they'd have on a day. So I dedicate this number to him, just to remind myself of all the pain it took to get me to where I am today. Still smile whenever I hear the number.

[@KingSyilver]

Dan James was sold so that CR7 could get his number

[@markvlogandgaming1133]

The PL didnt allow changing numbers of players who already had a number a certain player would want during the window or something like that unless the number is freed through a transfer so it becomes completely vacant

[@bri1085]

@@markvlogandgaming1133 swear United are always mixing and matching numbers, martial has swapped the number 9 top a few times

[@nx48l]

Yes

[@yluucaa7546]

The number I always chose was 6 because I was born in June. Last season I somewhat randomly got the 8 which fitted because I played LCB and LB which are 5+3 and it equals 8. This season an other player wanted the 8 which after I found the fact above out I grew really attached to. Finally I decided as a co-captain that I would give in and randomly got the number 2 which fitted again because I am playing RB this season haha

[@gabrielgusman]

In Corinthians, a brazilian club, there's a new player, called Roger Guedes, who uses the number 123. I think is the new highest number at t-shirt.

[@gunter6377]

Probably the best 123 in football history

[@Tech-is1xy]

@@gunter6377 Wrong. That would be Vikstar

[@basartofel]

In Turkey, there are plate codes like the telephone codes for the cities. Every car registered to a city has a plate starting with the same code for that city. Istanbul is 34, Ankara is 06, Izmir is 35 for example. So in Turkey, players tend to choose the code oftheir birth city as a number. Also it affects the prestige numbers for some local powerhouse clubs; such as in Trabzonspor, who has 6 league cups, 61 is the most prestigious number for this.

[@undefined.infinity3106]

"14" this number is something special for iconic CRYUFF

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

I choose to not get attached to any one number, because in several of the teams I've played, you just pick your shirts right before the game and I didn't want to feel like I couldn't have a good game if I didn't get my favourite number. Very interesting video, thanks!

[@raketensven3127]

Love that even you guys said "OG Ronaldo" to the brazilian one :D

[@c.l.visions2581]

I used to play as 14 religiously as a kid. I remember one year the kits changed and we had some new players in our team, and someone already took 14. I was so pissed off

[@akibtafhim]

23, because in most of the international tournament, the squad limit is 23. 23 means a tribute to the whole squad for me. And it looks decent in any position. Honourable mentions: 10,40,20 & 14.

[@torredemilangesa2848]

Also is Jordan number

[@carlosvg2286]

1 is usually the gk 2-3-4-5-6 are usually defensive positions 7-8-11 are usually offensive positions from which 9 is the goals scorer and 10 is the Skillful one 12-13 usually goes to the second keeper although player like Marcelo, Henry or Van Basten liked it. The 13 was made mafous by Ballack or Müller at the national team 14 is the "above 11" most recognized number, usually weared by defensive midfielders (Xabi Alonso, Casemiro, Mascherano, Henderson) ir strikers (Chichrito, Henry) or of course Johan Cruyff. 15 has not a strong tradition, although player like Valverde want to make it personal 16 hasn't a strong tradition either but players like Busquets o Agüero at wc 2010 and first years Atman city are recognized for that 17 is usually the one you take when 7 is occupied as CR7 or Pedro or Nani were used to 18 hasn't a strong tradition but it's usually used when 9 is taken, like 1+8 of Zamorano. Although players like Jordi Alba wanna make it personal 19 has been usually used when the 10 was taken, like Messi, Modrić or Mané before switching to 10. Or Benzema at the nt. 20 is even more randomly chosen with players like can Persie chosing it (double 10?) 21 has been made famous by Cavani at Uruguay or David Silva and Zidane at juventus 22 i don't have exemples 23 is usually for the 3rd gk or David Beckham (and Michael Jordan) 24 he no tradition but associated with Kobe. 25 Müller favorite number at Bayern and even at Germany when available 26 Robertson 27 usually the choice of the 3rd striker 28 Cr7 when young 30 Messi when young 31 Schweinsteigger 32 Tevez 45 Balotelli 66 Trent Alexander Arnold 92 El Sharaawy 99 Donarumma or another choice when 9 is taken

[@M1CAE1.]

My no. of choice is 14. It was the no. worn by Thierry Henry at Barcelona and Arsenal, and I have the same lastname, obviously not with that pronunciation. So my first football shirt was Barca's 2007-2008 home kit, with Henry 14 on the back. I stopped playing about 2 years ago so it's irrelevant to me now.

[@mcfc2112]

Hi - I really enjoyed this video, thanks! Were you aware of Stephen Jordan’s numbers at Manchester City? When he was first added to the 1st team squad he had #23 - as in Michael Jordan. When Marc Vivien Foe joined, MVF took the 23 (not sure why), and Jordan switched to #45 - the number that Michael Jordan wore when playing for the White Sox, and initially on his return to the Bulls!

[@lucisgallery1412]

I always wore 13 even as a GK because no one wanted it since they believed it was unlucky, so I took it to prove to my friends that it wasn’t at first. As the years went on I stood out as a GK due to my 13 number. Later I learned that my dad wore 13 when he played soccer aswell so I wear it to this day for that fact and it’s turned into my lucky number funny enough.

[@r.velasco1961]

I wear number 52 because I was the number 5 in my team, but when I played with the elder players they taped a 2 on to my Trikot because they also had someone with the number 5. I never bothered to remove and now it sticks with me

[@biggrhymees88one]

I would wear number 13 because that was the number I was a signed during my high school basketball career.

[@FoxGoalie]

I played hockey as a Goalie and when I was young we needed to choose a jersey. I wanted the #1 as all goalies want. My father told me "No. You have to EARN that number. You can't just take it." So because there were 25 Jersey available I took my dad's words serious and chose #25, the furthest away from #1. I kept that number through my youth and senior teams. Even today, just in the beer leagues I go for it. It's actually crazy how this number now is my Lucky number and reminds me of my dad telling me to work hard in life to get to the top.

[@MostDeviantAsiedu]

lol Adebayor I remember he wore number 4 for Togo national team

[@craigmurphy1204]

He did that because Kanu wore 4 for Nigeria

[@b-don7930]

2:40 not to mention, this system is not the same used everywhere, for example in argentina: it goes 1 4263 5 8 10 7 11 9 A number 5 is CDM a Number 6 is CB and so on. Different countries attach different numbers to each position depending on multiple factors

[@jonathanoneill9200]

I want to know more about those two obscure Australian clubs!

[@danieljugheadbrown7460]

I was on the five a side football team for my workplace. We entered a competition with other government departments, competition stated that team should not exceed 20 members, hence squad numbers were from 1 to 20. I chose the number 19 shirt because of my birthday on September 19

[@elremanenteunafeinteligente]

In Mexico there was a trend in the 90's about players in the league using the number 58. It was because they were endorsed by a big radio station in the country. One of the most iconic players with the 58 was Jared Borgetti, who is famous for that superb header against Italy in World Cup 2002. Also from Mexico, Memo Ochoa, the national team starting Goalkeeper uses number 13 and not 1, even though in his teams he always uses number 1. I suspect he does this because at world cup 2010 he was supposed to be the starting keeper but Javier Aguirre brought in Conejo Perez and made him number 1, so Ochoa, not wanting to be saddled with the dreaded number 12 (Substitute Keeper), chose to wear number 13 and made it his own. Anyways, thats what I think about that.

[@matt_ski05]

My number is 5 as it was the lowest number I could grab as a freshman on my high school team so that I could get a shirt that fit me (the jerseys at the time were massive and I was 5’ 4” 120 soaking wet). It turned out my older sisters wore 5 as well and one wore 10 too, so multiples of 5 are *usually* my go too numbers

[@stateofanarchyewrestling2166]

Playing as an RB in my early school days, usually got assigned 16, 13, 12. I didn't know or see the significant. High school got me playing as both RB and sometimes as an LB but fell in love playing centrally as a DMF. This period got me assigned a whole bunch of numbers until I got my eyes set on number 2, for the 2nd letter of the alphabet. My name stars with B. My number compromise is 82. 8 because Gazza and I love playmakers and box to box CMs also my small circle of friends associate 82'D with Attitude. Yes, we were young and clueless As now I dont actively play but I still got myself, wife and 2 daughters jerseys with our birth day as numbers on our back, me 15, wife 20, daughters 12 and 26. At least I got one of my daughters wearing one of my number I wore in school and ALL of them has my favourite number on their back. Just sharing

[@petergeyer7584]

As an ice hockey player, my daughter wears 42 (she started youth hockey as 22, which she liked, but had to give it up when she transferred to a new club that already had a 22). First, she likes the number because it has two digits that are each divisible by 2 - she can’t stand odd numbers. Second, because according to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe, 42 is the answer to life, the universe and everything.

[@rmkw4291]

I always say I'd wear 42 in sports (particularly ice hockey) as its the answer to life, the universe and everything. If you don't get it research Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy. Also, it is my birthdate (4th February).

[@korculaamv9820]

We have the same birth day lol

[@JJose13]

Rogério Ceni, a former goalkeeper who played his entire career for São Paulo FC and was in both 2002 and 2006 World Cups, also wore 01. It is a refference to the number 10 since he was considered the most iconic player in the squad.

[@erlanggapratama6345]

Imagine my shock when he actually said AC

[@alexgutierrez6058]

100 Bofo was iconic. He then had to wear 23 in Copa Libertadores because he wasn’t allowed to do the three digits! Glad to see this in your video. Campos wearing 9 was the best, that’s why I did it!

[@woiler_9742]

Neymar actually offered messi the number 10. But messi said he can keep it all class form messi

[@Anipaper_]

Some players numbers are associated with them, and the greats make those numbers more valuable

[@MrZigzagSlope]

The jersey numbers are iconic to the position. The best forward wears 9, the best midfield wears 10, best defender wears 4 and the goal keepers wears 1. Every other number is chosen for another reason.

[@HistorysRaven]

In high school, I had a friend who played keeper with me and played hockey. He chose 99 as a goalkeeper in soccer because he wasn't allowed to wear it as a tender in hockey. He told me it was both to honor his favorite hockey play, Gretzky, but also as a challenge to any striker who thought they were the best. It worked, too, because we won state our last two years of high school. (I wore 2 because our coach refused to allow players to wear 0 or 1.)

[@jannikel2640]

I always wanted the 11 at my youth club because of Miroslav Klose, who wore it for Germany at that time, and later tried for the 13 because of Gerd and Thomas Müller

[@EJeremyStern]

12:38 I was patiently waiting for Asamoah Gyan to pop in the video. Now I’m proud of being a Ghanaian.

[@jamesmichaels4979]

5:51 i love the pun

[@naheemakhtar779]

really enjoyed this

[@hridoyabdullah5133]

The thing that proves that Messi is the greatest and most humble player in football History is he choose No.30 because his friend wears it, while he has tattooed “10” on his left leg. RESPECT to the G.O.A.T🙇‍♂️

[@genekwagmyrsingh9433]

most humble = no personality to speak of

[@charliewakefield612]

As a junior, I always wanted to be a number 9 but the managers son was in the team and so got first pick. I opted for the number 6 instead after Bobby Moore.

In my Opinion, the most iconic number in the entire footballing history is - "10"

[@wiltonater]

Pele, Maradona, & Messi

@@wiltonater True, even Ronaldinho, Ozil, Zidane etc

[@CartoonNetworkGlitches]

@ my guy just compared zidane and ronaldinho to ozil

@@CartoonNetworkGlitches Sorry

[@vh99_]

#27 always stood out for me, therefore I'm very Happy Mario Götze wears it at Frankfurt atm 🙌

[@atlante4368]

As a centre back in Sunday league, I tend to go with the #3. I also enjoy 14 and 18, the latter in honor of Riccardo Montolivo.

[@kieranfogarty778]

Kanu and Adebayor wore the number4 for their respective national teams..Steve Sidwell also wore 9 for Chelsea and Dani Alves currently wears 8 for Barca

[@SUTANTheGOAT]

2:23 why is it blurred ?

[@zalankakas3148]

I always fight for the number 12, it was my first shirt number when I was 6 and i was playing for my local team's academy

[@dtac_10_29]

10 is my fav number, worn by some of the idols when i was growing up - Wayne Rooney and Juan Roman Riquelme.

[@hammedsherman2593]

I have always adored the number 13 because Ballack.. but im a goalkeeper.. so im always given the number 1 but due to De Gea having the number 13 at Athletico and Courtois in Athletico and Chelsea, I fight for the number 13.. and now, being a goalie for my uni, they gave me the number 13... and im loving that number

[@semir9112]

This is so weird and in German it's still very common. You barely ever hear terms like central defending midfielder, central offensive midfielder or forward, these positions are called the 6, the 10 and the 9.

[@consumer7]

that Gway logic about no.3 is actually pretty cool. no 3 stands out a lot more as of this moment.

[@juuzousuzuya]

“Higher the number the less important the players are usually” Kaká wore 22 and made it iconic

[@darioradic117]

My favorites are tied to the positions. Initially 7 when played a right winger, and then later number 8 when I changed to box-to-box midfielder position. But I did consider 78 to have them both at the same time.

[@DescubriendoLaFlorida]

In baseball, I always wore #17. My first soccer season in Spain, I waited for the first 11 guys to chose and picked 12. There was a lot of tension that day.

[@memesequalsavior5272]

My first FIFA Player Career mode I started in NE Revs as #12 because as a CAM I couldn’t be a #3. But eventually when I transferred to Arsenal (my favorite club) later in my career, they gave me #17. I went thru a lot of heartbreaks in the UCL with Arsenal and when we finally won and I lifted that cup with the captain’s armband on my arm I knew I’d always want to remember that career so now I always want #17 even in real life

[@WhyNotUli]

I always used the number 19 when I played sports. It was my first number given to me when I joined my first football team and kept it with me when ever I get to have a number.

[@isigur1913]

Legend has it, Jorge Ocampos when he was but a ball boy, he fetched the ball, saved a penalty, switched his shirt while running towards the post and dribbling past both, his teamates and opposition players, then the ref, and both managers, the whole bench, the fans on 24 stands, the TV viewers and those listening to the radio. He found a NFL game, he made a run there and finished at a hockey game, went cross country skiing, won three olympics medals in syn diving, artistic swimming and belly dancing, he then nutmegged the keeper and scored a brilliant goal with a header.

[@firstnamelastname-up6ni]

Bautista was not the first player to have a 3 digit number; pablo larios wore 100 years before him. Also, in México, for some time youth players were required to wear 3 digit numbers to differentiate from the full squad.

[@wolfgangnomi8837]

They still do today....

[@TheBigDavid]

I'm an expat working in China for a national company with multiple branches in every city in the country. Every branch has a number corresponding to when it was opened in each city. For example the 17th centre to open in Shanghai is called Shanghai 17, the 5th centre to open in Beijing is called Beijing 5 and so on. As a regional manager in the city I'm in, I often get posted in struggling centres to improve their results so the number of my centre changes often. Whichever number of centre I am in when I buy a new shirt, I always put that number on it. 😊

[@thomascarroll9556]

The 1933 FA Cup Final was the first time numbers were worn in that event (Everton wore 1-11 and Man City wore 12-22), the first “significant” game played in England with shirt numbers was played on 02 May 1928 Arsenal (1-11) Vs Sheffield Wednesday (12-22) Football League Division One. Which Arsenal had cheated their way into the top flight ahead of Tottenham Hotspur.

[@vitoreikmeier8134]

There's also Rogerio Ceni, world record holder for goalkeeper with the most goals scored ever (131 goals) who used to wear the number 01. He even rocked it at the fifa club world championship

[@ericminter445]

in my youth soccer days I was given the number 2. I played left midfield. when I played in college the coach asked me what number I wanted so I stuck with 2. in college my coach put me in a left back position which is more fitting for 2.

[@EBGamez1]

I just thought of this, but I feel that I should start wearing the number 78 as my birthday is on 7 August (this is if I start playing again).

[@ajdembroski7529]

I picked my number in homage to one of my favorite baseball players at the time. I was assigned 83 in High School American football as a Freshman, and I never felt attached to it. I had hoped for 21, the number of my favorite football player at the time, Deion Sanders, but my HS team assigned position-traditional numbers at random and I was a WR, so I got a random 80s number. Later that year I played baseball and selected #11 because of my baseball team's Rookie of the Year 2nd baseman, Chuck Knoboauch. I loved it, and I really don't know why. The only exception to the random assignment on the football team is you were allowed to retain your number from another sport if it's open. 11 was open, I never looked back. I've warn #11 from college football to rec softball and soccer leagues ever since. The only exception is I played in an Alumni vs. Varsity flag football game a few years ago, and I wore #83.

[@BuzzCarrick70]

Tacoma Defiance is a feeder club for Seattle Sounders. They wear high numbers to maintain a single set of numbers through the combined organization if they move players back and forth.

[@rayell8]

roger guedes from brasilian team corinthians used to wear the number 123 before he changed to 9 as libertadores didn't allow 3 digit numbers, he now wears 10

[@wolfmauler]

I've worn 19 since Italia '90, in homage to Gazza and his unforgettable performance and of course his raw emotion for England and the game. ( Even got it tattooed on the back of me neck XIX. 😆 I Was 20)