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Squad number (association football)
Encyclopedia
As in other team sports, squad numbers are used in association football to identify and distinguish players on the field. Numbers were originally used to also indicate position, with starting players being assigned numbers 1-11, but most competitions and leagues now use squad number
s.
Numbers were assigned by field location:
Early evolutions of formations involved moving specific positions, e.g. moving the centre half back to become a defender rather than a half back. Their numbers went with them, hence central defenders wearing number 5, and remnants of the system remain to this day. For example, in friendly and championship qualifying matches England
, when playing the 4-4-2 formation, general number their players (using the standard right to left system of listing football teams) four defenders - 2, 5, 6, 3; four midfielders - 7, 4, 10, 11; two forwards - 8, 9. This system of numbering can also be adapted to a midfield diamond with the holding midfielder wearing 4 and the attacking central midfielder wearing 8. Similarly the Swedish national team number their players: four defenders - 2, 3, 4, 5; four midfielders - 7, 6, 8, 9; two forwards - 10, 11.
I 4-3-3 formation
In Brazil, the 4-2-4 formation was developed independently from Europe, thus leading to a different numbering - here shown in the 4-3-3 formation to stress that in Brazil, number ten is midfield:
When in 4-2-4, number 10 passes to the Ponta de Lança (striker), and 4-4-2 formations get this configuration: four defenders - 2 (right wingback), 4, 3, 6 (left wingback); four midfielders - 5 (defensive), 8 ("segundo volante", similar to a central midfielder), 7, 10 (attacking); two strikers - 9, 11
In Argentina, 4-3-3 formations get this configuration: four defenders - 4 (right wingback), 2, 6, 3 (left wingback); three midfielders - 8, 5 (central midfielder), 10 (attacking) - 7 (right wing), 9 (centrodelantero), 11 (left wing); and in 4-3-1-2, the number 10 is for the "enganche" and the 11 goes to the left midfield.
In England, in a now traditional 4-4-2 formation, the standard numbering is usually: 2 (right fullback), 5, 6, 3 (left fullback); 4 (defensive midfielder), 7 (right midfielder), 10 (central/attacking midfielder), 11 (left midfielder); 8 (second/support striker), 9 (striker). This came about based on the traditional 2-3-5 system. Where the 2 fullbacks retained the numbers 2, 3. Then of the halves, 4 was kept as the central defensive midfielder, while 5 and 6 were moved backward to be in the central of defence. 7 and 11 stayed as the wide attacking players, whilst 10 dropped back a little from inside forward to a central (sometimes attacking) midfield role, and 8 stayed in support of the striker. The 4 is generally the holding midfielder, as through the formation evolution it was often used for the sweeper or libero position. This position defended behind the central defenders, but attacked in front - feeding the midfield. It is generally not used today, and developed into the holding midfielder role.
When substitutions were introduced to the game in 1965, the substitute typically took the number 12; when a second substitute was allowed, they wore 14. Players were not compelled to wear the number 13
if they were superstitious
.
In Eastern Europe, The defence numbering is slightly different. The under Gustav Sebes switched from a 2-3-5 formation to 3-2-5. So the defence numbers were 2 to 4 from right to left thus making the the right back (2), centre back (3) and the left back (4). Since the concept of a flat back four the number (5) has become the other centre back.
Second-choice goalkeeper wears, at many occasions, number 12 shirt, which is the first shirt of the second line up, or number 13. In the past, when it was permitted to assign 5 substitute players in a match, wearing shirt number 12 to 16, the goalkeeper was also often wearing the number 16 shirt, the last shirt number in the squad. (Thus making the goalkeepers wearing the first and last shirt numbers in the squad). Later on, when association football laws changed and it was permitted to assign 7 substitute players, second-choice goalkeepers were often wearing the number 18 shirt.
In addition, it is very common to see second-choice goalkeepers wearing the number 22 shirt, and third-choice goalkeeper wearing the number 33 or 30 shirts. In international tournaments (such as FIFA World Cup or continental cups) each team must list a squad of 23 players, wearing shirts numbering 1-23. Thus, in this case, third-choice goalkeepers often wears the number 23. As a quote, the change from 22-players squad to 23-player squad in international tournaments, which occurred first at the FIFA World Cup 2002, was in order to require the listing of a third-choice goalkeeper in squad.
where each man in a country's 22-man squad wore a specific number for the duration of the tournament. As a result, the numbers 12 to 22 were assigned to different squad players, with no resemblance to their on-field positions. This meant that a team could start a match not necessarily fielding players wearing numbers one to eleven. Although the numbers one to eleven tended to be given to those players deemed to be the "first choice line-up", this was not always the case for a variety of reasons - a famous example was Johan Cruijff, who insisted on wearing the number 14 shirt. Other examples of this include Nicolas Anelka
and Thierry Henry
, who often wear 39 and 12 respectively for France and also Sergio Ramos
who wears 15 for Spain.
In the 1958 World Cup
, the Brazilian Football Confederation
forgot to send the player numbers list to the event organisation. However, the Uruguayan official Lorenzo Villizzio assigned random numbers to the players. The goalkeeper Gilmar received the number 3, and Garrincha
and Zagallo wore opposite winger numbers, 11 and 7, while Pelé
was randomly given the number 10, for which he would become famous.
Argentina
defied convention by numbering their squads for the 1974
, 1978
, and 1982
World Cups alphabetically, resulting in outfield players (not goalkeepers) wearing the number 1 shirt (although Diego Maradona
was given an out-of-sequence number 10 in 1982).) England
used a similar alphabetical scheme for the 1982 World Cup
, but retained the traditional numbers for the goalkeepers (1) and the team captain (7), Kevin Keegan. In a practice that ended after the 1998 World Cup
, Italy
gave low squad numbers to defenders, medium to midfielders, and high ones to forwards, while numbers 1, 12 and 22 were assigned to goalkeepers . More recently, FIFA
tournament regulations have stated that the number 1 jersey must be issued to a goalkeeper.
Before the 2002 World Cup
, the Argentine Football Federation (AFA) attempted to retire the number 10 in honor of Maradona by submitting a squad list of 23 players for the tournament, listed 1 through 24, with the number 10 omitted. FIFA rejected Argentina's plan, and the governing body's president, Sepp Blatter
suggested the number 10 shirt be instead given to the team's third-choice goalkeeper, Roberto Bonano. AFA ultimately submitted a revised list with Ariel Ortega
, originally listed as number 23, as the number 10.
switched to persistent squad numbers, abandoning the mandatory use of 1–11 for the starting line-up. The first league event to feature this was the 1993 Football League Cup Final
between Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday, and it became standard in the FA Premier League the following season, along with names printed above the numbers.
Most European top leagues adopted the system over the next five years.
The Football League
introduced squad numbers in 1999, and the Football Conference
followed suit three years later.
Players may now wear any number (as long as it is unique within their squad) between 1 and 99. To date, the highest number worn by a player in the Premier League is 62, by Manchester City
's Abdul Razak. It has been suggested the Swindon Town
defender Brian Kilcline
wore 62 during 1993-94
, but he actually wore 31.
Both Juan Maldonado and Cesc Fàbregas
have worn 57 for Arsenal
, but only in cup matches. In the Football League, the number 55 has been worn by Ade Akinbiyi
, for Crystal Palace
, and Dominik Werling
, for Barnsley
.
When Sunderland
signed Cameroon striker Patrick Mboma on loan in 2002, he wanted the number 70, to indicate his birth year of 1970. But the Premier League refused, and he wore 7 instead.
Players are not generally allowed to change their number during a season, although a player may change number if he changes clubs mid-season. Players may change squad numbers between seasons.
A move from a high number to a low one may be an indication that the player is likely to be a regular starter for the coming season. An example of this being Celtic's
Scott McDonald
, who, after the departure of former no.7 Maciej Żurawski
, was given the squad number 7, a change down from 27. Some players keep the number they start their career at a club with, such as Chelsea's John Terry
, who has worn the number 26 since becoming part of the first-team squad. On occasion players have moved numbers to accommodate a new player, for example Liverpool's Vladimir Smicer
moved from 7 to 11 to allow the incoming Harry Kewell
to take the number when he arrived.
Upon signing for Everton in 2007, Yakubu
refused the prestigious number 9 shirt and asked to be assigned number 22, setting this number as a goal-scoring target for his first season, a feat he fell one goal short of achieving.
players in the A-squad (maximum 25 players, including a maximum of three goalkeepers) must wear a number between 1-25. Goalkeepers must wear either 1, 13 or 25. When players from the reserve team are selected to play for the first team, they are given squad numbers between 26 and 50.
Most American and Canadian clubs have players numbered between 1-30, with higher numbers being reserved for second and third goalkeepers. In the United Soccer Leagues
First Division and Major League Soccer
, there were only 20 outfield players wearing squad numbers higher than #30 on the first team in the 2009 season, suggesting that the traditional model has been followed.
In 2007, Major League Soccer club Los Angeles Galaxy
retired former playing number of Cobi Jones
, No. 13, becoming the first MLS team to do so.
In 2011, Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake
retired the former playing number of coach Jason Kreis
, No. 9.
Squad number
In team sports, the squad number, shirt number, jersey number, sweater number, uniform number or simply a number is the number worn on a player's uniform, to identify and distinguish each player from others wearing the same or similar uniforms...
s.
First use of numbers
The first time numbers were used in Association football was August 25, 1928, when Sheffield Wednesday played ArsenalArsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
Numbers were assigned by field location:
- Goalkeeper
- Right full back (right side centre back)
- Left full back (left side centre back)
- Right half backWing halfIn association football, the position of wing half or wing half back) was popularly used in the late nineteenth and first half of the 20th centuries...
(right side defensive midfield) - Centre half back (centre defensive midfield)
- Left half backWing halfIn association football, the position of wing half or wing half back) was popularly used in the late nineteenth and first half of the 20th centuries...
(left side defensive midfield) - Outside rightOutside forwardOutside forward is a position in association football which refers to a footballer who plays as an advanced forward on the right or left wing - as an outside right or outside left. Typically as part of a 2-3-5 formation or one of its variants...
(right winger) - Inside rightInside forwardIn football, the position of inside forward was popularly used in the late nineteenth and first half of the 20th centuries. The inside forwards would support the centre forwards, running and making space in the opposition defence, and, as the passing game developed, supporting him with passes...
(attacking midfield) - Centre forward
- Inside leftInside forwardIn football, the position of inside forward was popularly used in the late nineteenth and first half of the 20th centuries. The inside forwards would support the centre forwards, running and making space in the opposition defence, and, as the passing game developed, supporting him with passes...
(attacking midfield) - Outside leftOutside forwardOutside forward is a position in association football which refers to a footballer who plays as an advanced forward on the right or left wing - as an outside right or outside left. Typically as part of a 2-3-5 formation or one of its variants...
(left winger)
Early evolutions of formations involved moving specific positions, e.g. moving the centre half back to become a defender rather than a half back. Their numbers went with them, hence central defenders wearing number 5, and remnants of the system remain to this day. For example, in friendly and championship qualifying matches England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
, when playing the 4-4-2 formation, general number their players (using the standard right to left system of listing football teams) four defenders - 2, 5, 6, 3; four midfielders - 7, 4, 10, 11; two forwards - 8, 9. This system of numbering can also be adapted to a midfield diamond with the holding midfielder wearing 4 and the attacking central midfielder wearing 8. Similarly the Swedish national team number their players: four defenders - 2, 3, 4, 5; four midfielders - 7, 6, 8, 9; two forwards - 10, 11.
I 4-3-3 formation
In Brazil, the 4-2-4 formation was developed independently from Europe, thus leading to a different numbering - here shown in the 4-3-3 formation to stress that in Brazil, number ten is midfield:
- 1 Goleiro (Goalkeeper)
- 2 Lateral Direito (right wingback)
- 3 Beque Central (centre back)
- 4 Quarto Zagueiro (the "fourth defender", almost the same as a centre back)
- 6 Lateral Esquerdo (left wingback)
- 5 Volante ("Rudder", the defensive midfielder)
- 8 Meia Direita (right midfielder)
- 10 Meia Esquerda (left midfielder, generally more offensive than the right one)
- 7 Ponta Direita (right winger)
- 9 Centro-Avante (centre forward)
- 11 Ponta Esquerda (left winger)
When in 4-2-4, number 10 passes to the Ponta de Lança (striker), and 4-4-2 formations get this configuration: four defenders - 2 (right wingback), 4, 3, 6 (left wingback); four midfielders - 5 (defensive), 8 ("segundo volante", similar to a central midfielder), 7, 10 (attacking); two strikers - 9, 11
In Argentina, 4-3-3 formations get this configuration: four defenders - 4 (right wingback), 2, 6, 3 (left wingback); three midfielders - 8, 5 (central midfielder), 10 (attacking) - 7 (right wing), 9 (centrodelantero), 11 (left wing); and in 4-3-1-2, the number 10 is for the "enganche" and the 11 goes to the left midfield.
In England, in a now traditional 4-4-2 formation, the standard numbering is usually: 2 (right fullback), 5, 6, 3 (left fullback); 4 (defensive midfielder), 7 (right midfielder), 10 (central/attacking midfielder), 11 (left midfielder); 8 (second/support striker), 9 (striker). This came about based on the traditional 2-3-5 system. Where the 2 fullbacks retained the numbers 2, 3. Then of the halves, 4 was kept as the central defensive midfielder, while 5 and 6 were moved backward to be in the central of defence. 7 and 11 stayed as the wide attacking players, whilst 10 dropped back a little from inside forward to a central (sometimes attacking) midfield role, and 8 stayed in support of the striker. The 4 is generally the holding midfielder, as through the formation evolution it was often used for the sweeper or libero position. This position defended behind the central defenders, but attacked in front - feeding the midfield. It is generally not used today, and developed into the holding midfielder role.
When substitutions were introduced to the game in 1965, the substitute typically took the number 12; when a second substitute was allowed, they wore 14. Players were not compelled to wear the number 13
13 (number)
13 is the natural number after 12 and before 14. It is the smallest number with eight letters in its name spelled out in English. It is also the first of the teens – the numbers 13 through 19 – the ages of teenagers....
if they were superstitious
Triskaidekaphobia
Triskaidekaphobia is fear of the number ; it is a superstition and related to a specific fear of Friday the 13th, called paraskevidekatriaphobia or friggatriskaidekaphobia.The term was first used by Isador Coriat in Abnormal...
.
In Eastern Europe, The defence numbering is slightly different. The under Gustav Sebes switched from a 2-3-5 formation to 3-2-5. So the defence numbers were 2 to 4 from right to left thus making the the right back (2), centre back (3) and the left back (4). Since the concept of a flat back four the number (5) has become the other centre back.
Goalkeepers' numbering
As introduced before, the first-choice goalkeeper is usually assigned the number 1 shirt.Second-choice goalkeeper wears, at many occasions, number 12 shirt, which is the first shirt of the second line up, or number 13. In the past, when it was permitted to assign 5 substitute players in a match, wearing shirt number 12 to 16, the goalkeeper was also often wearing the number 16 shirt, the last shirt number in the squad. (Thus making the goalkeepers wearing the first and last shirt numbers in the squad). Later on, when association football laws changed and it was permitted to assign 7 substitute players, second-choice goalkeepers were often wearing the number 18 shirt.
In addition, it is very common to see second-choice goalkeepers wearing the number 22 shirt, and third-choice goalkeeper wearing the number 33 or 30 shirts. In international tournaments (such as FIFA World Cup or continental cups) each team must list a squad of 23 players, wearing shirts numbering 1-23. Thus, in this case, third-choice goalkeepers often wears the number 23. As a quote, the change from 22-players squad to 23-player squad in international tournaments, which occurred first at the FIFA World Cup 2002, was in order to require the listing of a third-choice goalkeeper in squad.
In international football
The move to a fixed number being assigned to each player in a squad was initiated for the 1954 World Cup1954 FIFA World Cup
The 1954 FIFA World Cup, the fifth staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Switzerland from 16 June to 4 July. Switzerland was chosen as hosts in July 1946. The tournament set a number of all-time records for goal-scoring, including the highest average goals scored per game...
where each man in a country's 22-man squad wore a specific number for the duration of the tournament. As a result, the numbers 12 to 22 were assigned to different squad players, with no resemblance to their on-field positions. This meant that a team could start a match not necessarily fielding players wearing numbers one to eleven. Although the numbers one to eleven tended to be given to those players deemed to be the "first choice line-up", this was not always the case for a variety of reasons - a famous example was Johan Cruijff, who insisted on wearing the number 14 shirt. Other examples of this include Nicolas Anelka
Nicolas Anelka
Abdul-Salam Bilal on 14 March 1979) is a French international footballer, who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Chelsea. Anelka was also a regular starter for the French national team...
and Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry
Thierry Daniel Henry is a French professional footballer who plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.Henry was born in Les Ulis, Essonne where he played for an array of local sides as a youngster and showed great promise as a goal-scorer. He was spotted by AS Monaco in 1990 and...
, who often wear 39 and 12 respectively for France and also Sergio Ramos
Sérgio Ramos
Sérgio Bruno Antunes Selores Ramos is a Portuguese basketball player.He measures 2.00 metres and plays as a Forward . He announced the end of his international career, after Portugal's exit from the EuroBasket 2007...
who wears 15 for Spain.
In the 1958 World Cup
1958 FIFA World Cup
The 1958 FIFA World Cup, the sixth staging of the World Cup, was hosted by Sweden from 8 June to 29 June. The tournament was won by Brazil, who beat Sweden 5–2 in the final for their first title. To date, this marks the only occasion that a World Cup staged in Europe was not won by a European...
, the Brazilian Football Confederation
Brazilian Football Confederation
The Brazilian Football Confederation is the governing body of football in Brazil. It was founded on June 8, 1914, as Confederação Brasileira de Desportos , meaning Brazilian Sports Confederation. Its first president was Álvaro Zamith. It organizes the Brazilian national competitions, like...
forgot to send the player numbers list to the event organisation. However, the Uruguayan official Lorenzo Villizzio assigned random numbers to the players. The goalkeeper Gilmar received the number 3, and Garrincha
Garrincha
Manuel Francisco dos Santos , known by the nickname "Garrincha" , was an association football right winger and forward who helped the Brazil national team win the World Cups of 1958 and 1962. He played the majority of his professional career for Brazilian club Botafogo.The word garrincha itself...
and Zagallo wore opposite winger numbers, 11 and 7, while Pelé
Pelé
However, Pelé has always maintained that those are mistakes, that he was actually named Edson and that he was born on 23 October 1940.), best known by his nickname Pelé , is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time...
was randomly given the number 10, for which he would become famous.
Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
defied convention by numbering their squads for the 1974
1974 FIFA World Cup
The 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from 13 June to 7 July. The tournament marked the first time that the current trophy, the FIFA World Cup Trophy, created by the Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, was awarded...
, 1978
1978 FIFA World Cup
The 1978 FIFA World Cup, the 11th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Argentina between 1 June and 25 June. The 1978 World Cup was won by Argentina who beat the Netherlands 3–1 after extra time in the final. This win was the first World Cup title for Argentina, who became the fifth...
, and 1982
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
World Cups alphabetically, resulting in outfield players (not goalkeepers) wearing the number 1 shirt (although Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona is a retired Argentine football player and widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. Over the course of his professional club career Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys, setting...
was given an out-of-sequence number 10 in 1982).) England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
used a similar alphabetical scheme for the 1982 World Cup
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
, but retained the traditional numbers for the goalkeepers (1) and the team captain (7), Kevin Keegan. In a practice that ended after the 1998 World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
, Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
gave low squad numbers to defenders, medium to midfielders, and high ones to forwards, while numbers 1, 12 and 22 were assigned to goalkeepers . More recently, FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
tournament regulations have stated that the number 1 jersey must be issued to a goalkeeper.
Before the 2002 World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
, the Argentine Football Federation (AFA) attempted to retire the number 10 in honor of Maradona by submitting a squad list of 23 players for the tournament, listed 1 through 24, with the number 10 omitted. FIFA rejected Argentina's plan, and the governing body's president, Sepp Blatter
Sepp Blatter
Joseph S. Blatter , commonly known as Sepp Blatter, is a Swiss football administrator, who serves as the 8th and current President of FIFA . He was elected on 8 June 1998, succeeding João Havelange. He was re-elected as President in 2002, 2007, and 2011...
suggested the number 10 shirt be instead given to the team's third-choice goalkeeper, Roberto Bonano. AFA ultimately submitted a revised list with Ariel Ortega
Ariel Ortega
Arnaldo Ariel Ortega is an Argentine football attacking midfielder. His nickname is "El Burrito" , thus he is called "Burrito Ortega"....
, originally listed as number 23, as the number 10.
Great Britain
In 1993, the The Football AssociationThe Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
switched to persistent squad numbers, abandoning the mandatory use of 1–11 for the starting line-up. The first league event to feature this was the 1993 Football League Cup Final
1993 Football League Cup Final
The 1993 Coca Cola Cup Final took place on 18 April 1993 at Wembley Stadium, and was played between Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday. Arsenal won 2–1 in normal time, in what was the first of three Wembley finals between the two sides that season; Arsenal and Wednesday also met in the FA Cup...
between Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday, and it became standard in the FA Premier League the following season, along with names printed above the numbers.
Most European top leagues adopted the system over the next five years.
The Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
introduced squad numbers in 1999, and the Football Conference
Football Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
followed suit three years later.
Players may now wear any number (as long as it is unique within their squad) between 1 and 99. To date, the highest number worn by a player in the Premier League is 62, by Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
's Abdul Razak. It has been suggested the Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
defender Brian Kilcline
Brian Kilcline
Brian Kilcline is an English former centre-half with Coventry City, Newcastle United, Notts County, Oldham Athletic, Swindon Town, Mansfield Town and Halifax Town, famous for his long hair and moustache....
wore 62 during 1993-94
1993-94 in English football
The 1993-1994 season was the 114th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:From the start of this season, the FA Premier League would be sponsored by Carling Breweries - an association which would last for eight years...
, but he actually wore 31.
Both Juan Maldonado and Cesc Fàbregas
Cesc Fàbregas
Francesc "Cesc" Fàbregas i Soler is a Spanish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for La Liga club FC Barcelona.Fàbregas started his career as a trainee with Barcelona but was signed by Premier League side Arsenal in September 2003 at the age of 16...
have worn 57 for Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, but only in cup matches. In the Football League, the number 55 has been worn by Ade Akinbiyi
Ade Akinbiyi
Adeola Peter Oluwatoyin "Ade" Akinbiyi is a professional footballer.Akinbiyi has had a much-travelled career with many different clubs with transfer fees totalling more than £11.5 million during his career, including being Leicester City's record signing .Born in England, Akinbiyi qualifies to...
, for Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
, and Dominik Werling
Dominik Werling
Dominik Patrick Werling is a German footballer who is without a club after leaving Hereford United. He plays as a left back. His father is American and his mother is German.-Career:...
, for Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
.
When Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
signed Cameroon striker Patrick Mboma on loan in 2002, he wanted the number 70, to indicate his birth year of 1970. But the Premier League refused, and he wore 7 instead.
Players are not generally allowed to change their number during a season, although a player may change number if he changes clubs mid-season. Players may change squad numbers between seasons.
A move from a high number to a low one may be an indication that the player is likely to be a regular starter for the coming season. An example of this being Celtic's
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
Scott McDonald
Scott McDonald
Scott Douglas McDonald is an Australian football player who currently plays as a striker for English Championship side Middlesbrough and the Australian national team. Scott McDonald is of Scottish heritage.-Early career:...
, who, after the departure of former no.7 Maciej Żurawski
Maciej Zurawski
Maciej Żurawski is a Polish footballer. Żurawski has appeared 72 times and scored 17 goals for Poland. He has also scored 121 goals in Polish Ekstraklasa and has been the top league goalscorer twice.- Wisła Kraków :...
, was given the squad number 7, a change down from 27. Some players keep the number they start their career at a club with, such as Chelsea's John Terry
John Terry
John George Terry is an English professional footballer. Terry plays in a centre back position and is the captain of Chelsea in the Premier League...
, who has worn the number 26 since becoming part of the first-team squad. On occasion players have moved numbers to accommodate a new player, for example Liverpool's Vladimir Smicer
Vladimír Šmicer
Vladimír Šmicer is a former Czech football midfielder and forward player. Šmicer was a devout player of Slavia Prague, the only Czech club he ever played for. He also played notably for Lens in France, with whom he won the Ligue 1 title. In 1999, Šmicer moved to England, where he played several...
moved from 7 to 11 to allow the incoming Harry Kewell
Harry Kewell
Harold "Harry" Kewell is an Australian professional football midfielder who plays for Melbourne Victory in the A-League. Internationally he has received 55 caps, and scored 16 goals, while playing for the Australian national team...
to take the number when he arrived.
Upon signing for Everton in 2007, Yakubu
Yakubu
Yakubu was ruler of the Hausa city-state of Gobir from 1795 to 1801. Succeeding Bawa, Yakubu waged a number of military campaigns. His reign is also noted for a deterioration of relations between the Hausa elite of Gobir and Fulani Islamic reformer Usman dan Fodio, who would soon oppose them in...
refused the prestigious number 9 shirt and asked to be assigned number 22, setting this number as a goal-scoring target for his first season, a feat he fell one goal short of achieving.
Spain
In the Spanish La LigaLa Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
players in the A-squad (maximum 25 players, including a maximum of three goalkeepers) must wear a number between 1-25. Goalkeepers must wear either 1, 13 or 25. When players from the reserve team are selected to play for the first team, they are given squad numbers between 26 and 50.
North America
North American professional club soccer follows a model pretty close to that of European professional soccer, with the exception that many American and Canadian clubs do not have "reserve squads," and thus do not assign higher numbers to those players.Most American and Canadian clubs have players numbered between 1-30, with higher numbers being reserved for second and third goalkeepers. In the United Soccer Leagues
United Soccer Leagues
The United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...
First Division and Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
, there were only 20 outfield players wearing squad numbers higher than #30 on the first team in the 2009 season, suggesting that the traditional model has been followed.
In 2007, Major League Soccer club Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
retired former playing number of Cobi Jones
Cobi Jones
Cobi N'Gai Jones is a retired American soccer player who formerly served as assistant coach with the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer , with whom he had been involved as a player and coach since the team's inaugural season in 1996...
, No. 13, becoming the first MLS team to do so.
In 2011, Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake is an American professional soccer club based in Sandy, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. The team competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. They currently play their home games at Rio Tinto Stadium. Real Salt Lake won...
retired the former playing number of coach Jason Kreis
Jason Kreis
Jason Clarence Kreis is an American soccer coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer....
, No. 9.
Unusual or notable numbers
- Hicham ZeroualiHicham ZeroualiHicham Zerouali , nicknamed 'Zero' or the 'Moroccan Magician', was a Moroccan footballer. He played as a forward for a number of clubs across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. He was a Moroccan international who won 17 caps.-Aberdeen:...
was allowed to wear the number 0 for Scottish Premier LeagueScottish Premier LeagueThe Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
club AberdeenAberdeen F.C.Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
after the fans nicknamed him "Zero". - Though it is traditionally the goalkeeper's number, outfield players have occasionally worn the number 1 for their clubs, including Pantelis KafesPantelis KafesPantelis Kafes is a Greek footballer currently playing as a deep-lying playmaker for AEK Athens in the Greek Super League...
for Olympiacos and currently AEK, Charlton AthleticCharlton Athletic F.C.Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
's Stuart BalmerStuart BalmerStuart Murray Balmer is a former Scottish professional football defender who is currently assistant manager at Ross County in the Scottish First Division.-Career:...
in the 1990s,, Partizan BelgradeFK PartizanFudbalski klub Partizan is a professional football club based in Belgrade, Serbia. In its long history, FK Partizan won as many as 37 trophies. The club is the holder of 23 national championships, 12 national cups and 1 national supercup, and has also won the Mitropa Cup in 1978...
's Simon VukčevićSimon VukcevicSimon Vukčević is a Montenegrin footballer who plays for Premier League club Blackburn Rovers....
in 2004-05 and BeşiktaşBesiktas J.K.Beşiktaş Jimnastik Kulübü , or simply Beşiktaş , is a Turkish sports club. The club's football team is one of the major teams in Turkey. The professional sports club, founded in 1903, is based in the Beşiktaş district in Istanbul, Turkey...
's Daniel PancuDaniel PancuDaniel Gabriel Pancu is a Romanian footballer who currently plays for Liga I club Rapid Bucureşti.-Career:Pancu began his playing career at FC Politehnica Iaşi. He made his debut in the Romanian First Division in 1995. In the winter of 1996 he was transferred to Rapid Bucureşti for the sum of US$...
in 2005-06. - In 2001, Colombian Freddy Rincón wore number 3+5 in Santos F.C.. Due to the failure of the attempt to transfer to the Corinthians and the subsequent closing of entries, Rincón would not have more chances to act in Campeonato PaulistaCampeonato PaulistaThe Campeonato Paulista de Futebol Profissional da Primeira Divisão - Série A1, simply known as the Campeonato Paulista, is the top-flight professional football league in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. The league is contested between 20 clubs and typically lasts from January to April...
that year if not by Santos. The regulation of that year provided that the clubs could register up to 35 athletes. Then, the Colombian was entered with the #35. - In 2003, FC Porto goalkeeper Vítor BaíaVítor BaíaVítor Manuel Martins Baía, OIH , is a retired Portuguese footballer who played as a goalkeeper.His career was intimately connected with F.C...
became the first player to wear 99 in the final of a major European competition. - Adolfo BautistaAdolfo BautistaAdolfo "El Bofo" Bautista Herrera is an Attacking Midfielder/Forward who currently plays for Querétaro F.C. of Mexico.-Beginnings:...
, when playing for Club Deportivo Guadalajara wore number 100 under special dispensation from the Mexican Football Federation (he wore 1 in CONCACAFCONCACAFThe Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football is the continental governing body for association football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean...
competitions). Later, when he was traded to Jaguares de ChiapasJaguares de ChiapasThe Club de Fútbol Jaguares de Chiapas, is a Mexican football club now based in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, in the state of Chiapas. They currently play in Primera División de México...
, he received jersey number 1. - Goalkeeper Rogério CeniRogério CeniRogério Ceni is a Brazilian goalkeeper. He has been a member of the Brazilian Série A club São Paulo since September 7, 1990, playing more than 1,000 matches and winning 2 Copa Libertadores trophies and one Club World Championship with them...
of São Paulo FCSão Paulo Futebol ClubeSão Paulo Futebol Clube , commonly known as São Paulo, is a professional football club based in São Paulo, Brazil. They play in the Campeonato Paulista, São Paulo's state league, and the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A or Brasileirão, Brazil's national league, and are one of the only five clubs to...
sports the 01 jersey for his club. - ParmaParma F.C.Parma Football Club , commonly referred to as just Parma, is an Italian professional football club based in Parma, Emilia–Romagna that will compete in Serie A for the 2011–12 season, having finished in twelfth position last season. Founded as Verdi Foot Ball Club in July 1913, the club changed its...
goalkeeper, Luca BucciLuca BucciLuca Bucci is a retired Italian football goalkeeper.-Club career:After a few years in the third and second levels, Bucci made his Serie A debut playing for Parma F.C., in a league match against Udinese Calcio on August 29, 1993...
wore the numbers 7 (2005–06) and 5 (2006-07—2007-08) shirts. - Iván ZamoranoIván ZamoranoIván Luis Zamorano Zamora is a retired Chilean football striker. Along with former world-class forward Marcelo Salas and former world player of the year Elias Figueroa he is regarded as one of Chile's most recognized footballers.He was a member of the Chilean national team and played in the 1998...
wore number 1+8, or number 18 with a plus symbol between the two digits, for Inter MilanF.C. Internazionale MilanoFootball Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
from 1997 to 2000, after his number 9 was given to RonaldoRonaldoRonaldo Luís Nazário de Lima , commonly known as Ronaldo, is a retired Brazilian footballer who last played for Corinthians. Ronaldo is widely considered to be the greatest 'pure' striker in the history of the modern game, and by some accounts, in the history of football. Ronaldo was one of the...
. - Juan Pablo SorínJuan Pablo SorínJuan Pablo Sorín is a former Argentine footballer. He was born in Buenos Aires. He is a much-travelled player, having spent time in Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Italy, France and Germany. He was captain of the Argentine team in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.He is a versatile left wing-back who can play...
was allowed to use the number 1+2 for VillarealVillarreal CFVillarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
because the number 3 was taken. This was only used rarely. - Derek RiordanDerek RiordanDerek George Riordan is a Scottish footballer who plays as a forward. He has been capped three times by the Scotland national football team. Riordan started his career with Hibernian in 2001 and had a brief spell on loan with Cowdenbeath in 2003...
was given squad number 01 by HibernianHibernian F.C.Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
. Number 10 had already been taken by Colin NishColin NishColin Nish is a Scottish footballer who currently plays as a striker for Hartlepool United.-Early life:Nish grew up in Musselburgh and was a fan of his local side Hibernian as a child.-Dunfermline Athletic:...
, and none of the club's goalkeepers had been allocated number 1. - In 2008, AC Milan's three new signings each chose a number indicating the year of his birth: 76 (Andriy ShevchenkoAndriy ShevchenkoAndriy Mykolayovych Shevchenko is a Ukrainian footballer who plays for Dynamo Kyiv and the Ukraine national team as a striker. He is the third-highest scorer in the history of European club competition with 67 goals as of 2011-03-10, behind Filippo Inzaghi and Raúl. With 175 goals scored with A.C...
, born 1976), 80 (RonaldinhoRonaldinhoRonaldo de Assis Moreira , commonly known as Ronaldinho or Ronaldinho Gaúcho, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Flamengo and the Brazilian national team as an attacking midfielder or forward. He is a two-time winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year, awarded to the best player over the year...
, born 1980), and 84 (Mathieu FlaminiMathieu FlaminiMathieu Flamini is a French professional footballer of Italian descent who plays as a midfielder for Serie A club Milan..-Marseille:...
, born 1984). - The Asian Football ConfederationAsian Football ConfederationThe Asian Football Confederation is the governing body of association football in Asia. It has 46 member countries, mostly located on the Asian continent. However, due to the disputed boundary of Europe and Asia, nations such as Russia and Turkey which are located mostly in geographic Asia are...
requires players to keep the same squad numbers throughout the preliminary rounds for the AFC Asian CupAFC Asian CupThe AFC Asian Cup is an international association football tournament run by the Asian Football Confederation . It is the second oldest continental football championship in the world after Copa América. The winning team becomes the champion of Asia and automatically qualifies for the FIFA...
, resulting in players with squad numbers of 100 or higher, including 121 worn by Thomas OarThomas OarThomas Michael "Tommy" Oar is an Australian football player who plays for Utrecht in the Dutch Eredivisie.-Brisbane Roar:...
of Australia in a 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification2011 AFC Asian Cup qualificationThe 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification saw various countries take part to determine 10 spots to the final tournament in Qatar under the new qualification system set by the Asian Football Confederation ....
match against IndonesiaIndonesia national football teamThe Indonesia national football team represents Indonesia in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Indonesia . Prior to independence in 1945, the team competed as the Dutch East Indies national football team. Under this name, Indonesia was the first Asian team to...
. - IndonesianIndonesia national football teamThe Indonesia national football team represents Indonesia in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Indonesia . Prior to independence in 1945, the team competed as the Dutch East Indies national football team. Under this name, Indonesia was the first Asian team to...
international Firman UtinaFirman UtinaFirman Utina is an Indonesian footballer, he normally plays as an attacking midfielder and his height is 166 cm. He is playing for the Indonesia national football team and he is chosen as the Man of the match for Indonesia against Bahrain match in Asian Cup 2007 in Group D...
wears 8+7 number in his club Persija JakartaPersija JakartaPersija Jakarta is an Indonesian football club from Jakarta. It is one of Indonesia's most successful clubs and the most popular sports club in the city. The club's patron is Sutiyoso, the governor of Jakarta until 2007. Persija Jakarta was founded on November 28, 1928, with the embryo called...
, because his signature number 15 has been taken by AliyudinAliyudinAliyuddin is an Indonesian footballer. He normally plays as a striker. He plays for the Persib Bandung.His favourite player is Michael Owen. His favourite clubs are Real Madrid and Liverpool....
. - Indonesian Club Deltras SidoarjoDeltras SidoarjoPersatuan Sepakbola Delta Putra Sidoarjo is an Indonesian football club based in Sidoarjo, Indonesia. Founded in 1989 by a businessman named HM Mislan as Gelora Dewata '89 with home base in Bali, they moved to Sidoarjo in 2001 and changed their name to Gelora Putra Delta after playing some matches...
Goalkeeper Usman Pribadi wears the number 2. - Club AméricaClub AméricaClub América is a Mexican Professional football club based in Mexico City. It competes in the Primera División, the top professional league in the country. The team's nickname is Las Águilas ....
's Diego Reyes wears number 135.
Commemorative numbers
- Jesús ArellanoJesús ArellanoJosé de Jesús Arellano Alcócer , is a retired Mexican football player. He last played for CF Monterrey in the Primera División de México, with whom he has played most of his career.-Biography:...
, when playing for Club de Futbol MonterreyClub de Fútbol MonterreyThe Club de Fútbol Monterrey is a Mexican football club from Monterrey, Nuevo León, and the current champion of the CONCACAF Champions League. Founded on June 28, 1945, it is the oldest active team in the professional division from the northern part of Mexico....
wore the number 400 in 1996 to celebrate the city's 400th anniversary. - Brazilian EC Goiás goalkeeper Harley wore number 400 in a single match to celebrate his 400th match for the team.
- Brazilian Santos FCSantos Futebol ClubeSantos Futebol Clube is a Brazilian professional football club based in Santos, São Paulo They play in the Campeonato Paulista and the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, the highest professional leagues in São Paulo state and Brazil, respectively....
goalkeeper Fábio CostaFábio CostaFábio Costa is a Brazilian goalkeeper. He currently plays for Clube Atlético Mineiro reserves on loan from Santos....
wore number 200 in a single match to celebrate his 200th match for the team. - Andreas HerzogAndreas HerzogAndreas Herzog, also Andy Herzog, is a former Austrian football player.-Club career:Born in Vienna, Herzog started his career at local giants Rapid Vienna, but was sent out on loan to city rivals First Vienna FC during 1987–88. That move proved to be successful and he was soon recalled to Rapid to...
wore the number 100 on his 100th match for the Austrian national teamAustria national football teamThe Austria national football team is the association football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
, as he was the first Austrian player to win 100 caps. - James BeattieJames Beattie (footballer)James Scott Beattie is an English footballer who currently plays for Sheffield United as a striker.Born in Lancaster, Lancashire he came through the ranks at Blackburn Rovers eventually signing professionally for them in 1995...
and Steven GerrardSteven GerrardSteven George Gerrard MBE is an English footballer who plays for and captains Premier League club Liverpool. He also has 89 caps for the England national team. He has played much of his career in a centre midfielder role, but he has also been used as a second striker and right winger...
both wore 08 instead of their usual 8 in the Merseyside derbyMerseyside derbyThe Merseyside derby is the name given to any football match contested between Everton and Liverpool football clubs, the two most successful clubs from the city of Liverpool in England...
in March 2006 to promote the 08 Ambassadors Programme, which they both are signed up to, to signify LiverpoolLiverpoolLiverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
becoming the European Capital of CultureEuropean Capital of CultureThe European Capital of Culture is a city designated by theEuropean Union for a period of one calendar year during which it organises a series of cultural events with a strong European dimension....
in 2008. - Tugay KerimoğluTugay KerimogluTugay Kerimoğlu is a Turkish former footballer who played the majority of his career for Galatasaray and Blackburn Rovers. Primarily a deep-lying playmaker in midfield, he was also competent as an attacking midfielder or playing in the holding role.Continually recognised for his ability he was...
wore the number 94 on his 94th and final cap for Turkey against Brazil in 2007. - Rubén Sosa wore number 100 for the 100th Anniversary of Club Nacional de FootballClub Nacional de FootballClub Nacional de Football is a Uruguayan sports club based in Montevideo. It is best known for its professional football team, which plays in the Uruguayan Primera División....
on 14 May 1999. - During his record-breaking 618th game for São Paulo FCSão Paulo Futebol ClubeSão Paulo Futebol Clube , commonly known as São Paulo, is a professional football club based in São Paulo, Brazil. They play in the Campeonato Paulista, São Paulo's state league, and the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A or Brasileirão, Brazil's national league, and are one of the only five clubs to...
, Rogério CeniRogério CeniRogério Ceni is a Brazilian goalkeeper. He has been a member of the Brazilian Série A club São Paulo since September 7, 1990, playing more than 1,000 matches and winning 2 Copa Libertadores trophies and one Club World Championship with them...
wore number 618, the highest number ever worn in professional football. - During his last match, number 100, for the Danish national teamDenmark national football teamThe Denmark national football team represents Denmark in association football and is controlled by the Danish Football Association , the governing body for the football clubs which are organized under DBU...
, Martin JørgensenMartin JørgensenLars Martin Jørgensen , more commonly known as Martin Jørgensen, is a Danish professional football player, who currently plays for Danish club AGF Aarhus. Jørgensen has played 101 matches and scored 12 goals for the Denmark national football team. He is the only player that has represented Denmark...
wore shirt number 100. - During his record-breaking 100th caps for South AfricaSouth Africa national football teamThe South Africa national football team represents South Africa in association football and is controlled by the South African Football Association, the governing body for football in South Africa. South Africa's home ground is Soccer City, known as FNB Stadium due to a naming rights deal, in...
, Aaron MokoenaAaron MokoenaTeboho Aaron Mokoena is a South African footballer who plays for and captains Football League Championship club Portsmouth and the South African national team.-Early career:...
wore shirt number 100.