The story behind jersey numbers

Football jerseys are iconic! Each year, jerseys reveal is a moment fans wait impatiently, looking for uniqueness, originality and team identity. And on top of that, jersey numbers make them even more special as they carry a sense of identity and legacy, making a jersey even more iconic!

Whether you’re a player or a fan, choosing your jersey number is a task you’ve likely faced! Birthdate, superstition, or following your favourite player, a jersey number can be something very personal.

But where did this come from, and how did certain numbers become synonymous with greatness? We’ve decided to explore the fascinating history behind football jersey numbers and share it with you!

Short lookback in time
If we have a look back in history, putting numbers on football jerseys was done for the very first time in Australia! Yes, it is an Australian invention dating back to 1911. The tradition began to help fans and commentators identify players on the pitch, and it was also useful for referees to keep track of fouls and goals!
Once internationally in place, jersey numbers were associated to a position on the field. Here is how it works for classic 4-3-3:

• Number 1 : the Goalkeeper (who can also be seen with a 16)
• Number 2 and 3: for Full Backs with 2 on the right and 3 on the left
• Number 4 and 5: Centre Backs, in the heart of the defense
• Number 6: Defensive Midfielder, usually just in front of the defense
• Number 7 and 11: Wingers, with 7 for the left side and 11 for the right side
• Number 8: Central Midfielder
• Number 9: Striker
• Number 10: Attacking Midfielder

This system became a classic way to organise a squad and simplify playing systems, but we’ve seen examples that prove it wrong.

The Legends behind numbers
While players like Pelé associated their name with a number in the past, the link between a number and its position began to relax and players started choosing numbers for more personal reasons.  

Whether they’re fans of players who wore it before or based on superstition, some players have made their name in football by associating themselves with numbers like CR7, R9 and LM10.

We’ve listed the most iconic player-number duos:
Number #7:
David Beckham: Beckham was a pioneer in wearing the number 7. Thanks to his skills, he elevated the number to global fame, giving it an image of precision, elegance and talent.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Sir Alex Ferguson convinced Ronaldo to pick the number 7 when he arrived with Man United, believing Ronaldo would reach the same heights as previous players who wore it. He certainly did!
Kylian Mbappe: Even though he’s young, Mbappe is becoming more and more associated with the number 7, due to his admiration for CR7. When joining the PSG, one of his conditions was to inherit of the 7, something he didn’t get when moving to Real Madrid. Unfortunately for him, this number is firmly held by his teammate Vinicius Jr.

Number #9:
Ronaldo: The Brazilian, known as ‘The Phenomenon’, made the number 9 the symbol of strikers.
Robert Lewandowski: The Polish striker has worn the number 9 with pride throughout his career, especially with Bayern Munich. A special arrangement ensured he’d inherit of the number when transferred to FC Barcelona.

Number #10:
Ronaldinho: Famous for his surprising skills and unexpected moves, Ronaldinho wrote history and made the number 10 synonymous of talent and technique.
Diego Maradona: Before him, arguably one of the most famous #10 in football history, Maradona left quite a memory thanks to his performances with Argentina and the “Goal of the Century”.
Lionel Messi: when arriving at Barça, Messi inherited the number 10 after his predecessor Ronaldinho and elevated to new heights. La Pulga is famous for his remarkable dribbling, vision and accuracy. 

Your number, your legacy
Whether you’re playing professional, as an amateur or just starting, you might already have your favourite number! At Ultra Football, we understand how important numbers can be, that’s why we offer customisation services on your jerseys.

From the magic behind the number 10, the talent of the number 7 to the striking power of the number 9, jersey numbers are full of meaning and personal stories for our favourite players. And you, what’s your number? Wear it your way and create your legacy!