Player-specific squad numbers have become a normal part of football since the abandonment of a simple one to 11 numbering system and some players are forever associated with certain numbers.
The number 10, for example, is usually associated with the creative heart of a team - think Lionel Messi or Diego Maradona - while number four might be a defensive midfielder or centre-back.
Cristiano Ronaldo followed a long line of famous number sevens at Manchester United - including George Best and David Beckham - subsequently making it a central component of his brand, CR7.
Occasionally, such is the influence of an individual that the number they wore at a club can be retired, thus ensuring that it is exclusively tied to the memory of their achievements.
Goal takes a look at why clubs retire shirt numbers as well as some notable examples of the practice.
Contents
- Why do clubs retire shirt numbers?
- Clubs who have retired shirt numbers for players
- Numbers reserved for supporters & mascots
Why do clubs retire shirt numbers?
Clubs can retire shirt numbers for any number of reasons, but it is generally used as a tribute to players who have excelled for the club or as a mark of respect to players who have died prematurely.
It is believed that former Toronto Maple Leafs player Ace Bailey was the first sportsperson to have a shirt number retired in his honour, when the team withdrew the number six from selection in 1934.
The practice is particularly common in the United States and Canada, but it has since spread through other sports across the world.
Clubs who have retired shirt numbers for players
Getty Images
The practice of retiring shirt numbers has caught on across the world, but it appears to be more common in certain countries.
As the lists below will show, Italian clubs seem to be more fond of the tradition, with the likes of Paolo Maldini, Roberto Baggio and Diego Maradona among the notable figures to be honoured.
In England, West Ham have retired the number six in tribute to World Cup winner Bobby Moore, while Manchester City retired the number 23 following the tragic death of Marc-Vivien Foe.
Brazil icon Pele has been honoured by American club New York Cosmos, while Major League Soccer Side New York Red Bulls have indicated that no other player will wear 99 after Bradley Wright-Phillips.
Dutch giants Ajax retired the number 14, which was famously worn by Johan Cruyff.
Notable retired shirt numbers in England
| Club | Shirt number | Player honoured |
|---|---|---|
| Leeds United | 17 | Considered unlucky* |
| Manchester City | 23 | Marc-Vivien Foe |
| West Ham | 6 | Bobby Moore |
| West Ham | 38 | Dylan Tombides |
| Birmingham City | 22 | Jude Bellingham |
*Former Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino retired the number 17 in 2014 because he considered it to be an unlucky number.
Notable retired shirt numbers in Spain
| Club | Shirt number | Player honoured |
|---|---|---|
| Cordoba | 8 | Juanin |
| Espanyol | 21 | Daniel Jarque |
| Real Betis | 26 | Miki Roque |
Notable retired shirt numbers in France
| Club | Shirt number | Player honoured |
|---|---|---|
| Lens | 17 | Marc-Vivien Foe |
Notable retired shirt numbers in Germany
| Club | Shirt number | Player honoured |
|---|---|---|
| Wolfsburg | 19 | Junior Malanda |
Notable retired shirt numbers in Italy
| Club | Shirt number | Player honoured |
|---|---|---|
| Atalanta | 19 | Federico Pisani |
| Bari | 2 | Giovanni Loseto |
| Bologna | 27 | Niccolo Galli |
| Brescia | 10 | Roberto Baggio |
| Brescia | 13 | Vittorio Mero |
| Cagliari | 11 | Gigi Riva |
| Cagliari | 13 | Davide Astori |
| Chievo | 30 | Jason Mayele |
| Crotone | 4 | Antonio Galardo |
| Fiorentina | 13 | Davide Astori |
| Genoa | 6 | Gianluca Signorini |
| Genoa | 7 | Marco Rossi |
| Inter | 3 | Giacinto Facchetti |
| Inter | 4 | Javier Zanetti |
| Livorno | 25 | Piermario Morosini |
| Messina | 41 | Salvatore Sullo |
| AC Milan | 3 | Paolo Maldini* |
| AC Milan | 6 | Franco Baresi |
| Napoli | 10 | Diego Maradona |
| Parma | 6 | Alessandro Lucarelli |
| Pescara | 4 | Vincenzo Zucchini |
| Salernitana | 4 | Roberto Breda |
| Siena | 4 | Michele Mignani |
| Vicenza | 3 | Giulio Savoini |
| Vicenza | 25 | Piermario Morosini |
*Paolo Maldini has given his consent for the number 3 to be worn by his sons if either of them play for AC Milan.
Notable retired shirt numbers in North America
| Club | Shirt number | Player honoured |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | 12 | Lauren Holiday |
| Montreal Impact | 20 | Mauro Biello |
| New York Cosmos | 9 | Giorgio Chinaglia |
| New York Cosmos | 10 | Pele |
| New York Red Bulls | 99 | Bradley Wright-Phillips |
| Portland Timbers | 3 | Clive Charles |
| Real Salt Lake | 9 | Jason Kreis |
Numbers reserved for supporters & mascots
As well as current and former players, many clubs have honoured their supporters by retiring the number 12, based on the idea that the fans are often considered to be the "12th man" on the team.
However, there are also deviations from that tradition across the world. For example, United Soccer League team Indy Eleven have retired the number 11, Turkish outfit Bursaspor have retired the number 16, while Swedish sides AIK and Djurgarden have reserved the number one for their fans.
Premier League side Bournemouth have dedicated the number 50 to their fans and the number 99 is reserved for the club mascot, Cherry Bear, while Leicester City's mascot Filbert Fox wears the number 50.
Major League Soccer side Atlanta United have reserved the number 17 for their supporters and also as a nod towards their first ever season in the competition.