Apart from the club where he belongs, the jersey number is an identity that is no less important for a soccer player. On the back, with a size larger than the name, the jersey number is like an iconic symbol that cannot be separated from the player himself.
In fact, sometimes the jersey number is often retired to respect the player himself, such as number 10 at Napoli, who will forever be Maradona’s. Moreover, number 7 at MU was previously on the backs of legendary players, such as George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo. After that, the number 7 is no longer on the back of the great players, so it is said that the number 7 has lost its sacredness.
Looking at the long history of football, eleven jersey numbers are identical to the player’s position. Number 1 belongs to the goalkeeper. The number 2,3,4 is usually identical to the defender, while the attacker usually uses the number 7,9, or 10.
Over time, certain jersey numbers then become more “sacred” than others. In fact, some players are not confident in using it. Shinji Kagawa, a Japanese player who was recruited by Old Trafford in 2012, is one example. He refused the number 7 because he felt he did not deserve to be juxtaposed with the previous MU legends.
To avoid the heavy burden of the strength of the jersey number, some soccer players choose numbers that are not too sacred, and make it a special number for themselves.
The Story of Back Number 77, Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
The goalkeeper is identical to the number 1, although there are also other numbers for the reserve goalkeeper, but Buffon chooses a different number. In fact, initially he chose 88. According to him, it was a symbol of the four balls piling up each other. The meaning in Italy is strong determination.
However, number 88 has already been protested by many parties. This is because the symbol 88 is associated with the Neo-Nazi symbol.
The controversy number 0 that took its toll, striker Hicham Zerouali.
It seems that there are no fixed rules regarding jersey numbers in the world of football, as long as there are no the same numbers in one club. This is also the case with the number 0, which could mean that it does not exist, or may not be included in the number category.
Hicham Zerouali, a player from Morocco used it when he was playing at Aberdeen. Not because of his own wish, but fans asked him. It is due to his last name which resembles the pronunciation of ‘zero’ which means zero, in English.
Number 618, the greatest number in the world of professional football, goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni.
In 2015, Rogerio Ceni broke the record for most appearances for Sao Paulo, namely 618 times. In the match against Atletico Miniero, Ceni wore an unusual number to represent the number of appearances for the team.
As for his official uniform, he chose the number 01. It is true that the number 1 jersey is a common number for the goalkeeper position. However, Ceni never explained why he added the 0 behind the number 1. This could be meant to make a difference with other goalkeepers, because throughout history, Ceni was the highest scoring goalkeeper, namely 131, either through free kicks or penalties.
Sacred Number 10
It is stated that the number 10 is the most sacred number. There are no written rules, but the number 10 is considered the most prestigious and decisive.
This is related to the history of using the number 10 jersey itself. Many number 10s are leaders of team movements on the pitch and are greatly feared.
Even the football club itself, is reluctant to give this number 10 to players who are not important. Neymar, who once defended Barcelona, was unable to compete with Messi for the ownership of number 10. But since he was recruited by Paris Saint Germain (PSG), the club has provided this sacred number for him.
That’s why this myth developed, along with the number 10 matchmaking with legendary players.
A Numerological View of the Meaning of Back Numbers.
An intriguing question, whether the jersey number can have a big influence on the player, either for luck or bad luck? The answer, depends on your head and heart.
The perception of the lucky number 45 on Balotelli, as well as Neymar’s strength from the number 10, is clearly lucky for them, as it is believed.
While the number 9 jersey for Chelsea, which is considered to bring a curse, after Khalid Boulahrouz, Steve Sidwell, Mateja Kezman, and Fernando Torres failed to shine at the Blues, it will also provide a ‘curse’ for their successors.
It cannot be denied that the jersey number for soccer players is as important as the name itself. Therefore, the way the jersey number works really depends on how much the player likes it. That a number is luck or a curse, is the power of suggestion that will affect the performance of the players.
