Football shirt numbers and their meaning | spized (2024)

Do you want to know the meaning of football shirt numbers? In this article we explain the meaning and history of football shirt numbers!

Football shirt numbers and their meaning | spized (1)

spized | Clothing and equipment

January 12, 2024 |

Football shirt numbers and their meaning | spized (2)

Whats’ on this page

1. The history of football shirt numbers

1.1 The 2-3-5 system as a basis for the allocation of shirt numbers

2. Positions and jersey numbers in football

2.1 The numbers of the defensive players

2.2 The numbers of the offensive players

3. Die Bedeutung der Rückennummern im Fußball

4. Back numbers in modern football

5. Differences back numbers in modern football

6. Curious back numbers in football

Football shirt numbers and their meaning | spized (3)

No matter what team sport it is: jersey numbers are an essential part of the players and thus of the entire sport. Why are some football shirt numbers so popular? And how did it come about that the 7, 9 and 10 are usually offensive players? In this article, we will explain the history and significance of football shirt numbers.

The history of football shirt numbers

In 1933, the English Football Association (FA) introduced a spectacular novelty at the Cup Final: referees, spectators and media representatives should be able to recognise the players better. The FA promptly provided the players of the final teams, Everton FC and Manchester City, with shirt numbers. The "Tofees" from Liverpool received the numbers 1 to 11 and the Manchester kickers were numbered from 12 to 22. The first number 9 was given to legendary Everton centre-forward William Ralph Dean, whom everyone just called "Dixie". Dean scored 379 goals in 438 league games during the 1920s and 1930s. In the 1927/28 season, the dribbling striker scored 60 league goals in one season - a record that still stands today! Since then, the number 9 has symbolised a centre-forward who scores a lot of goals.

Five years earlier, at the Arsenal v Sheffield Wednesday and Chelsea v Swansea Town matches, the English dared to make the first attempt at giving players back numbers. At the time, the idea did not catch on and, according to media reports, the players were identified by fashionable extras such as red and white socks and a blue and white checked cap.

The 2-3-5 system as a basis for the allocation of shirt numbers

While nowadaysplaying systemssuch as 4-3-3, 3-5-3 or 4-2-3-1 are popular, 2-3-5 was considered the most popular around 100 years ago. This system was used to distribute the football back numbers (1 to 11). Because football systems changed again and again over time, the clear line in terms of numbering disappeared. Even many years ago, football nations had adapted playing systems, resulting in different numbering for the same positions. In the 2-3-5 playing system, the two defenders were given jersey numbers 2 and 3. Midfielders were given the numbers 4 (left), 5 (central) and 6 (right). The back numbers were completed with 7 (right wing), 8 and 10 (attacking midfield), 11 (left wing) and 9 (centre forward).

Football shirt numbers and their meaning | spized (4)

Positions and jersey numbers in football

The numbers of the defensive players

With the introduction of the offside rule, an additional defender was needed - number 5 was withdrawn to the centre of defence, whereupon numbers 2 and 3 defended a little wider. Later, the four-man backline followed, so another midfielder had to move into the centre of defence. This resulted in the number 2 as right-back, the numbers 4 and 5 as centre-backs and the number 3 as left-back. The "clearer" in front of the defence in central defensive midfield was given the jersey number 6. What has remained in the allocation of football shirt numbers to this day? Defenders tend to have low back numbers and offensive players high back numbers. In addition, most starting goalkeepers have the back number 1.

The numbers of the offensive players

The withdrawal of the midfielders into the defensive chain did not initially have any significant changes for the offensive players. Numbers 7 and 11 remained attacking wingers, the 9 continued to be the goal-scoring centre forward and number 10 the creative face-off station or playmaker. As football became more professional and increasingly popular, football stars developed all over the world, and people tried to emulate them on every football pitch in the world. Creative offensive players in particular became the focus of public attention because of their spectacular style of play. Whether it was Diego Maradona and Pele (both No. 10), Fritz Walter (No. 8) or Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (No. 11): A connection developed between player and shirt number with which football fans could identify their idols and themselves. To this day, the high numbers are among the most popular back numbers in football.

Die Bedeutung der Rückennummern im Fußball

Shirt numbers belong to football like the amen to church. All players have an assigned shirt number, which for some players even develops into a brand of its own. The multiple world footballer Cristiano Ronaldo runs a world-famous brand with "CR7" (based on the shirt number 7) and successfully sells underwear and perfume. Professionals and amateurs alike sometimes attach great importance to their shirt numbers because they bring a high degree of pride and identification, especially with regard to their position on the pitch. The following list gives you some examples of professional footballers who are associated with the corresponding shirt number according to their position:

Goalkeeper - number 1:Manuel Neuer, Gianluigi Buffon, Sepp Maier

Right-back - number 2: Berti Vogts, Dani Alves, Cafu

Left defender - shirt number 3: Ashley Cole, Paul Breitner, Roberto Carlos

Centre back - back number 4 and 5: Sergio Ramos (Nr. 4), Rio Ferdinand (Nr. 5)

Defensive midfield - shirt number 6: Joshua Kimmich, Horst Eckel, Thiago

Winger - shirt number 7: Kylian Mbappé-Lotin, Luis Figo, Cristiano Ronaldo

Central midfield - shirt number 8: Andrés Iniesta, Toni Kroos, Carlos Dunga

Striker - shirt number 9: Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski, Rudi Völler

Playmaker - shirt number 10: Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho

Winger - shirt number 11: Ryan Giggs, Mohamed Salah, Marco Reus

Football shirt numbers and their meaning | spized (5)

Back numbers in modern football

In modern football, players' shirt numbers have become increasingly important due to professionalisation and the higher media attention that comes with it. This is especially true for the brand development of the professionals, who like to present themselves in connection with their shirt numbers on social media channels. In addition, their own brands or products are developing in connection with the shirt number, which in a business sense can be purchased on the market for every fan. Then, as now, children and young people emulate their idols and also develop lucky and favourite numbers for themselves based on the jersey numbers of the stars. But back numbers in football also serve coaches and players to convey tactical instructions. "Take the 6" or "the 10" are individual tactical measures against the ball that tell the teammate what to do in just a few seconds.

Differences back numbers in modern football

Unlike in the past, players' shirt numbers are no longer necessarily position-specific. Nowadays, no player with the number 12 or higher is automatically a substitute. At this point, there are several players who are or were undisputed regulars in their clubs. Thomas Müller with the shirt number 25, or Marcelo with the shirt number 12. Furthermore, no player with a low shirt number is necessarily a defender. A good example of this is Zinedine Zidane: the former world-class footballer was a classic 10 (playmaker) and predominantly played with the number 5. FIFA only stipulates that the shirt number in football must be a number between 1 and 99. Some football stars took advantage of this loose regulation and played with extremely unusual shirt numbers.

Curious back numbers in football

In addition to the usual back numbers, there were also some professional footballers who wanted to stand out and chose numbers that fans and probably also fellow players did not necessarily expect. But clubs also provided one or the other curiosity and blocked the back numbers of deserving ex-professionals for future players. In the following section, we show you 4 curious stories about football shirt numbers.

Bixente Lizarazu - FC Bayern Munich

1.69 m tall, 69 kg and born in 1969. Why not also wear the number 69? That's probably what ex-Bayern professional Lizarazu, who played a total of 183 Bundesliga games for Munich, thought.

Hicham Zerouali - Aberdeen FC

Hicham Zerouali, nicknamed "Zero", obtained an exemption from the Scottish FA and played with the jersey number "0" between 1999 and 2002, in keeping with his nickname.

Ivan Zamorano – Inter Milan

When world star Ronaldo moved to Inter and insisted on his jersey number 9, the previous owner of the jersey number had to think of something. So Ivan Zamorano started with the number 18 and had the "plus sign" placed between the two digits. After all, 1+8 makes 9.

Franco Baresi – AC Milan

When Franco Baresi ended his outstanding career, his club AC Milan announced that they would henceforth no longer give the jersey number 6. FC Bayern München had similar thoughts when ex-world goalkeeper Oliver Kahn announced that he was ending his professional career.

Design your own jersey including shirt number

In our3D configurator, you can not only add individual jersey numbers to yourfootball jersey, but also design your jersey completely yourself. No matter which number you choose in the end, your jersey will be unique.

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Football shirt numbers and their meaning | spized (2024)

FAQs

What do the shirt numbers mean in football? ›

In the 2-3-5 playing system, the two defenders were given jersey numbers 2 and 3. Midfielders were given the numbers 4 (left), 5 (central) and 6 (right). The back numbers were completed with 7 (right wing), 8 and 10 (attacking midfield), 11 (left wing) and 9 (centre forward).

What does 17 mean in football? ›

23 sometimes the third goalkeeper (in a national team) or a central defender. I also see that (usually) : 14 and 16 are a central midfielder. 18 and 20 as a striker. 17, 30 is a striker, a winger (midfielder)

What do the numbers on NFL shirts mean? ›

The system had three different number groupings for offense and three for defense. The changes included the addition of numbers 1–19 and 80–89 for running backs, 1–9 and 20–49 for wide receivers, 1–39 for tight ends and linebackers, and 1–19 for defensive backs.

What does the number 69 mean in football? ›

As to why its a big man, that's because Football has ranges of numbers you are supposed to wear for certain positions. 69 falls in the offensive lineman range. You'll note that you've probably never seen a WR wear 61. You couldn't because that number isn't allowed to catch the ball.

Is the number 69 banned in the NFL? ›

This NFL numbering system is based on a player's primary position. Any player wearing any number may play at any position at any time (though offensive players wearing numbers 50–79 or 90–99 must let the referee know that they are playing out of position by reporting as an "ineligible number in an eligible position").

What is a 7 in football? ›

7– Right Attacking Midfielders/Wingers. 8– Central/Box-to-Box Midfielder. 9– Striker. 10– Attacking Midfielder/Playmaker. 11– Left Attacking Midfielders/Wingers.

What does 21 mean in football? ›

If there are two running backs and one tight end, the grouping is referred to as 21 personnel. The number of wide receivers on the field is inferred, based on the fact that eleven offensive players are allowed on the field, including five linemen and the quarterback.

What does 319 mean football? ›

Sometimes the numbers can be associated with a run play and what gap the QB wants the RB to r. No one can say for sure because he won't tell anyone, for strategic reasons, but it's reasonable to assume that "319" is a cadence filler that is tied into the snap count.

What is no 9 in football? ›

In soccer, a traditional Number 9 is a striker or centre-forward, positioned at the top end of the pitch and depended upon by their team mates for goals.

What does number 13 mean in football? ›

Numbers 8 and 10: attacking midfielders. Number 11: the second striker. Number 9: the centre-forward. Numbers 12, 13 and 14: the substitutes.

What does the number 14 shirt mean in football? ›

The fourteen is a class player, most often in the midfield and usually one that gets by with brains rather than brawn. The 14 number became famous because of Johan Cruyff, the embodiment of total football. He switched to it in 1970, previously he had been 9.

Who wears number 14 in the NFL? ›

14 is also home to Amon-Ra St. Brown, Chris Godwin, DK Metcalf and George Pickens.

What number is banned in the NFL? ›

Number 00 is no longer allowed, but was not retired in honor of any particular player; rather, the NFL's positional numbering system, instituted in 1973, does not allocate a position for players wearing that number- the NFL allowed 00 in the past, with Jim Otto and Ken Burrough wearing it.

What does number 10 mean in football? ›

10 is almost always an attacking midfielder. Their job is to act as the team's attacking playmaker, and to give support and service to tha main striker. The most famous example of this position in the modern game would be Lionel Messi.

What does number 8 mean in football? ›

A number eight is a central midfielder who traditionally operates as a box-to-box player, doing both attacking and defensive jobs. In the modern game, however, the role has evolved to include support play through the inside channels, with lots of matches seeing more control and less end-to-end football.

What is number 1 on a football shirt? ›

The No. 1 shirt is most typically reserved for the first-choice goalkeeper at a club and is almost never given to any outfield player. Ex-Real Madrid and Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas has famously worn the number, as well as the likes of Oliver Kahn and Gianluigi Buffon.

What does the number 10 shirt mean in football? ›

Strikers can wear the No. 10 or No. 11 shirts, and often will do so in a tactical system that involves two strikers (like a 4-4-2 formation). However, in the modern game, where teams tend to play with a single out-and-out striker, those numbers are usually assigned to wingers and attacking midfielders.

What is a No 10 in football? ›

A number 10 is an attacker who operates in the spaces between central midfield and the front line. They often receive between the opposition's midfield and defence – a space commonly referred to as 'between the lines'.

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