One of the biggest features of a football shirt is the number on the back. These numbers are iconic. They help us pick out our favourite players and keep a close eye on the game. But what do all these numbers mean?
Let our experts walk you through the meaning of football shirt numbers and whether they're still as important today as they were decades ago.
What Do the Numbers Mean on a Football Shirt?
Football shirt numbers have a much different meaning today than they used to. Back in the day, these numbers were associated with specific positions, such as the classic 4-4-2 formation.
However, these days, modern players use squad numbers much more freely. But that’s not to say the tradition doesn't still hold a lot of weight. In fact, when it comes to collecting classic football shirts, especially through a mystery box, these numbers are still considered pure gold.
Here’s what each football shirt number means.
Number One
In football, the goalkeeper historically wore the number one shirt. Seeing another player wearing the same shirt number was hugely rare and was probably due to a shirt emergency. (Or it might have just been a Sunday League.) This is because the goalkeeper is always the first line of defence. Makes sense they'd get the first shirt, right?
Number Two
Historically, the number two shirt was worn by the right-back. A strong and reliable defender would have earned this shirt, such as Gary Neville or Cafu.
Number Three
You'd often find the number three shirt worn by famous defenders such as Ashley Cole or Paolo Maldini. It historically belonged on the left-back’s shoulders. However, modern full-backs often push forward while wearing this number too.
Number Four
You would have found defensive midfielders or centre backs wearing the number four shirt. This type of player doesn't mind getting right in the middle of the action - they would have shielded the defence against the opposition and made it their mission to break up play.
Depending on the football team, central defenders might also have worn the number four shirt.
Number Five
Trust us - this is a number you wouldn't want to mess with. The number five shirt would usually command the back line and organise the defence. If a football team had two central defenders, they were usually numbers four and five.
Number Six
Number six had more of a dual identity. You'd either find a defensive midfielder or a centre back wearing this shirt, depending on the country and system. For example, England would usually lean more towards a central defence, compared to a team like Argentina, where they would have given their number six to a midfielder.
Number Seven
Any football fan knows how iconic the number 7 shirt is. A right winger or an attacking midfielder would usually wear this number shirt. These players needed fast feet and super speed. Notable examples include David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Number Eight
Box-to-box midfielders usually wore this shirt - sometimes known as the engine of the team. The number eight would tackle players at one end and score at the other. Famous players who wore this number included Lampard, Gerrard, and Iniesta.
Number Nine
This number was traditionally reserved for the centre forward. Often worn by great strikers, the player who wore this shirt would lead the line and score goals.
Number Ten
The number 10 shirt was (and still is) known as football shirt royalty. There is definitely something almost magical about it. Notable players who wore this shirt include Maradona, Messi, and Rooney.
Number Eleven
The number eleven shirt was traditionally associated with the left winger, as part of that classic 4-4-2 formation we keep mentioning. Although in the modern game, this number belongs to any attacking player, traditionally, only players who took on the opposing team down the left flank had the honour of wearing this shirt.
Famous Football Players and Their Shirt Numbers
Some numbers have become as famous as the mythical players who wore them. Here are some of the world's famous players and their traditional numbers.
- David Beckham, Number 7 - At Manchester United, David Beckham, perhaps one of the most famous players in football history, made the number seven shirt famous after Cantona. This shirt number became a reflection of Beckham's swiftness and creativity on the pitch.
- Cristiano Ronaldo, Number 7 - Ronaldo is one of the most famous number sevens in history, taking on that number shirt at United. Since then, he has worn the number everywhere, from Real Madrid to the Portuguese national team.
- Bobby Moore, Number 6 - When it came to football, this player was known as a proper English hero. He wore the number six shirt for West Ham and England. He even won the World Cup in 1966, securing him as one of the best central defenders to play the game.
- Paul Gascoigne, Number 8 - Gascoigne was an attacking midfielder known for his vision, passion for the game and (dare we say it) madness. He made the number 8 shirt famous.
- Michael Owen, Number 10 - Michael Owen was one of the most electric footballers the world had ever seen. He wore a number 10 shirt with England and Liverpool, taking on the opposing team as a force to be reckoned with. Remember how we said 10 is mythic? Oh yeah, this is why.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hardest Position to Play in Football?
Football fans and players alike are always arguing about the hardest position to play - ask ten football fans and you'll likely be faced with ten different answers. That said, many would agree that some of the hardest positions to play are either the goalkeeper or the defensive midfielder.
The reasons are pretty simple. For goalkeepers, they may feel like they carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. They spend the majority of the game watching the other players, but they're the ones, ultimately, who stop the other team from scoring. If they're not on their game, the other team scores a goal and, just like that, it's over.
In contrast, midfielders are busy working hard. They need to be tactical; they break up plays, shield the central defenders and start attacks.
How Many Players Are in a Football Team?
On the pitch, there are 11 footballers playing at a time. They're what's known as the starting eleven.
However, if you're playing professionally, especially when it comes to the Premier League or international tournaments, you will usually have 25 to 30 players registered. A full team will usually have substitutes and backups for every single position.
Why is Number 10 Special in Football?
In football, 10 is basically the magic number. Some of the greatest and most talented players in football history have worn his number, including Maradona, Pelé, Messi, and Rooney. The attacking midfielder or star forward is usually the lucky one who gets to wear this shirt - a player who makes things happen.
No pressure.
Do Shirt Numbers Mean the Same in Modern Football?
This is a tricky question - yes and no. If there's one thing you need to know about football shirt numbers, it's that the historical weight of them is undeniable.
Fans will expect a number 9 shirt to score goals. However, modern football teams embrace squad numbers, which gives them a whole lot more freedom, especially when players want to choose specific numbers for branding reasons. Their number can stay the same when they switch to different positions.
Not to mention, with a full squad, the lower squad numbers get taken up pretty quickly. This means full-backs can wear the number 66, and a striker might wear the number 52, or a goalkeeper might even choose to wear that mythical number 10.
But just because those classic shirt numbers aren't used like they were back in the day, it doesn't mean they don't mean something. In fact, the opposite is true. They're eternal - cemented in football history, just like the players who wore them.
Famous Football Shirt Numbers Around the World
Football is different around the world, even with different names for the game - it's also known as association football or soccer for our American folks. Football culture runs deep in national teams, as well. Here are some football squad numbers and players that are iconic and beloved in other countries, too.
Germany - In Germany, players such as Gerd Müller and Michael Ballack both made the number 13 famous. Think of Germany's number 13 as our number 10 - it's a number associated with game creativity and talent. Getting your hands on a mystery box trikot (yep - that's what's known as a football shirt in Germany) could land you a classic.
The Netherlands - One famous number in Dutch football is the number 14. This is all down to the popular player Johan Cruyff, who made this one of the most famous football squad numbers of all time. That said, number 10 is also still a huge number in the Netherlands too, thanks to Wesley Sneijder who played for Oranje. It's no wonder that mystery voetbalshirt boxes are so popular in the Netherlands.
Spain - In Spain, you'll likely want to find a number 6 camisetas futbol sorpresa, thanks to world-famous player Xavi Hernández. However, you probably wouldn't be too upset to get your hands on a number 7 either, especially if it had been worn by an iconic player like Raúl González - a pure legend in the Spanish national team.
France - Zinedine Zidane is a football player who ran the show for years, and all in a number 10 shirt. However, Kylian Mbappé has also adopted a number 10 shirt in recent years and has completely made it his own. That's why, if you're a fan of French football, there's no doubt you'll want a maillot mystère with a number 10.
Get a Famous Mystery Football Shirt From Mystershirt
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Wrapping Up
Any football fan needs to know the history. Football shirt numbers aren’t just random digits - they used to mean something. From central midfielders to second strikers, these numbers were able to tell a story of the game and the player, inspiring generations of football fans. From the number 2 to the magical number 10 shirt, every single one of these numbers is special.
