One of the distinct features of every soccer player is the number on the back of their jerseys for whichever team they play for. Are there any explanations for these numbers and do they make any difference in the player’s position and performance?
This article answers the question “What Do Soccer Jersey Numbers Mean?” by discussing the reasons why players wear specific numbers and what it means for their positions. We also reveal which numbers have become iconic in the game.
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What Do Soccer Jersey Numbers Mean?
Soccer jersey numbers may indicate the player’s position on the field but not always. Since each player on the team wears a different number, referees and fans use the numbers to identify who does what on the playing field in the heat of the game.
Jersey numbers have become synonymous with some of the most popular sports and soccer is no different as it serves as the main source of identification on the field. Numbers 1 to 11 also indicate the main positions on the soccer field. Shall we make a quick dive to discover more information about each soccer jersey number?
Do Jersey Numbers Matter In Soccer?
Jersey numbers provide easy identification for each team’s players in the heat of the game when confusion can set in as to who did what. Jersey numbers do not matter in terms of positioning because players are flexible with their chosen numbers these days.
Number 1
This number is reserved for goalkeepers because they are the first name on every official player list for teams. While players choose strange numbers sometimes, no outfield player currently wears this number across the major leagues in the world.
Offering this number to goalies also shows their importance to the team’s chances of winning. While players occasionally make mistakes that may result in a goal, no one can make more costly mistakes than goalkeepers due to the sensitivity of the position.
Some of the best goalies in the world like Manuel Neuer, Thibaut Courtois, and David De Gea wear the number one shirt for club and country. However, there are a few exceptions like Manchester City and Brazil’s Ederson who wears 31, Chelsea and Senegal’s Benjamin Mendy who wears 16, and Paris Saint Germain and Italy’s Gianluigi Donnaruma who wears 99.
The number 1 may also be inscribed on goalkeeper’s gear like gloves, headbands, padded shorts, and leggings.
Number 2
This number is reserved for right full-backs in teams that use the traditional 4-4-2 system or 4-3-3 formation. In the absence of full-backs, this number may also be worn by center-backs. Real Madrid and Spain’s Dani Carvajal, Paris Saint Germain and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, and Manchester City and England’s Kyle Walker are prime examples of players that wear this shirt number.
The number 2 shirt has also become a favorite for some of the most accomplished center backs to ever play the game including former Chelsea and Germany International Antonio Rudiger, former Atletico Madrid and Uruguay International Diego Godin, and former Inter Milan and Colombia International Ivan Cordoba.
Number 3
The number 3 is traditionally reserved for the left full-back position in teams that employ that system. This position is usually taken by left-footed players but there are a few right-footed professionals that can play as left fullbacks.
Players famous for wearing the number 3 shirt include Roberto Carlos formerly of Real Madrid and Brazil, Former England and Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole, and Former Italy and AC Milan left-back Paolo Maldini.
A few central defenders have also made the number 3 their own despite being traditionally reserved for left fullbacks. Brazil and Real Madrid’s Eder Militao, as well as Portugal and FC Porto’s Pepe, are prime examples.
Number 4
The number 4 is worn by one of the two center backs in a traditional 4-4-2 formation. In a team with 2 right-footed center backs, this number is typically assigned to the strongest one. Famous number 4s include Austria and Real Madrid’s David Alaba, Netherlands and Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk, and Spain and Paris Saint Germain’s Sergio Ramos.
The number 4 jersey has also been attractive for some of the finest central midfielders to play the game including former Spain and Barcelona midfielder Josep Guardiola, former France and Arsenal Midfielder Patrick Viera, and former Spain and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
Number 5
The number 5 is another center-back position that complements the number 4 at the base of the team. Famous number 5s in the game include former England and Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand, Brazil and Paris St. Germain’s Marquinhos, and Spain and Barcelona’s Carles Puyol.
Many reputable central midfielders and even playmakers have also worn the number 5 jersey including France and Real Madrid’s Zinedine Zidane, Italy and Chelsea’s Jorginho, and former Ghana and Chelsea’s Michael Essien.
Number 6
The number 6 shirt is a traditional central midfield position that shields the defense from the opponent’s onslaughts through the middle of the pitch. Players that famously wore this number include Barcelona and Spain’s Xavi Hernandez, Liverpool’s and Spain’s Thiago Alcantara, and Paris Saint Germain and Italy’s Marco Verratti.
Former Italy and AC Milan defender Franco Baresi, Brazil and Chelsea’s Thiago Silva, and former Nigeria and Inter player Taribo West are legendary central defenders that wore the number 6 shirt for club and or country.
Number 7
The number 7 is traditionally suited for the right winger position in the standard 4-4-2 system. It is one of the most iconic soccer jersey numbers made famous by superstars like former England and Manchester United’s David Beckham, Portugal and Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo, and France and Paris Saint Germain’s Kylian Mbappe.
Other notable names that have worn the jersey despite playing other positions apart from right-wing include France and Chelsea’s Ngolo Kante, former Spain and Real Madrid striker Raul, and France and Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann.
Number 8
The number 8 is worn by an advanced central midfielder that acts as a link between the number 6 and forwards. The number 8 has been worn by famous names like former England and Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, former England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, and former Spain and Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta.
Former England and Arsenal striker Ian Wright and former Bulgaria and Barcelona striker Hristo Stoichkov are a few forwards that preferred the number 8 shirt.
Number 9
This is another iconic number preferred by some of the best players in the game including former Brazil and Real Madrid’s Ronaldo, the former Netherlands and Barcelona great Johan Cryuff, and the former Italy and Juventus striker Filippo Inzaghi.
Other notable names include former England and Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer, former England and Manchester United great Sir Bobby Charlton, and France and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.
Number 10
This is perhaps the most famous number in soccer thanks to the number of legends that have worn it in their careers. From Brazil’s Pele to Argentina and Napoli’s Diego Maradona, some of the greatest soccer players have donned this number.
Argentina and Paris Saint Germain’s Lionel Messi, former Brazil and Barcelona’s Ronaldinho, and former Italy and Juventus superstar Alessandro Del Piero are additional famous number 10s in the world of soccer.
Number 11
Number 11 is traditionally meant for left-wingers and has been worn by some of the best players to appear in the game. Wales and Los Angeles FC’s Gareth Bale, Argentina and Juventus’ Angel di Maria, and Germany and Dortmund’s Marco Reus are a few names that pop up.
Other notable players that preferred the number 11 include former Ivory Coast and Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, Brazil and Barcelona’s Romario, and Egypt and Liverpool’s Mohammed Salah.
Conclusion: What Do Soccer Jersey Numbers Mean?
Soccer jersey numbers from 1 to 11 signaled the player’s position when the game began. However, players have become more fluid with the numbers worn in recent times and it is not uncommon to see strange numbers on the back of their shirts.
Italy and Adana Demirspor striker Mario Balotelli has always preferred the number 45 shirt throughout his career while England and Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has stuck to the number 66 since breaking through the first team.
A player’s jersey number provides easy identification for not only referees and their assistants but fans in the stadium and those watching from home on TV. Referees typically write a player’s jersey number together with the occurring minute during bookings to keep track of the major highlights of the game on their cards.