Association football clubs around the world sometimes retiresquad numbers to recognise players' service to the club, whether that be through their loyalty or quality.
Signed jersey worn byDiego Maradona during his tenure on Italian clubNapoli, exhibited at the San Siro Museum of Milan. The number 10 he wore was retired by Napoli in 2000.[1]
This practice, long established in themajor North American sports, is a recent development in football elsewhere, since squad numbers for specific players were not widely used until the 1990s. Before then, it was typical for players in the starting lineup to be issued numbers 1 to 11 by formation/position on a match-by-match basis, and substitutes to be numbered from 12 upwards, meaning a player might wear different numbers during the season if they were to play in different positions for tactical reasons, or simply not be a regular in the starting lineup.
In contrast, in the formerAmerican league theNorth American Soccer League, players wore permanent numbers since its inception in 1967.[2] Moreover,Pelé's #10 was retired by theNew York Cosmos during the farewell of the Brazilian star on 1 October 1977,[3] becoming the first number ever retired in association football.[4]
Mexico was a pioneer country in the use of permanent numbers in football; these were adopted in thePrimera División in the 1980s.[5]
Retiring a player's shirt number usually occurs after the player has left the team or retired. It honours a player who has meant much to his club, and no other player is permitted to use that number in the future. In some cases, such as those ofMarc-Vivien Foé,Davide Astori, andDiogo Jota, numbers have been retired to posthumously honour a player who died while still active. Also, Norwegian clubFredrikstad retiredDagfinn Enerly's number following an on-pitch accident that left himparalysed. In Britain, onlyBobby Moore's,Jack Lester's, andJude Bellingham's shirt numbers have been retired due to great service to the club as opposed to a tragic incident. Although it had not been officially retired,Gianfranco Zola's No. 25 shirt had not been reissued byChelsea since he left the club in 2003 until re-issued toMoisés Caicedo in 2023.[6]
TheArgentina,Ecuador andCameroon national teams have been prevented from retiring the numbers ofDiego Maradona (10),Christian Benítez (11)[7] andMarc-Vivien Foé (17), respectively, byFIFA rules dealing with squad numbers for Finals tournaments; in other competitions, qualifiers orfriendlies, national associations may assign numbers according to criteria of their choosing. Similarly, several clubs have been required to reissue retired numbers for continental club competitions due to squad numbering rules of continental confederations. For example,CAF[8] andCONMEBOL have such rules in their club competitions,[9] butCONCACAF does not.
Some South American teams (such asUniversitario de Deportes andFlamengo, and even Mexican teams invited for the occasions) occasionally had to re-issue their retired numbers for special cases due to CONMEBOL rules, which stated that shirts had to be numbered 1–25/30 in continental club competitions (such asCopa Libertadores andCopa Sudamericana, among others), although nowadays clubs are not forced to number their players consecutively.
^His double-digit number, worn from 2007, was retired on 12 December 2015 when he retired from football. The single-digit '1' may still be used, but the iconic '01', which is an inverted '10', is retired.[18]
^Richter lost his leg as a result of a lightning strike[22]
^Kee had to leave football due to mental health issues.
^Recognised as the youngest-ever first-team player and goalscorer.
^Foé died on the pitch while playing forCameroon, was at Manchester City on loan fromLyon at the time.[23]
^Philo was killed in a car accident and the number 14 shirt retired. It was later revealed he was significantly over the drink-drive limit and his car veered on to the other side of the road, killing a 58-year-old mother of two.[30][23]
^Anin retired after suffering a serious car accident which left him paralyzed.[32]
^Number was retired in recognition of his career at the club and for his all-time record goal scoring in the league. He is the first in the history of Haitian football to have a number permanently removed from use.[34][35]
^Number was retired in dedication to the club's captain after he died in his sleep in 2017. McBride was 27 years old.
^Number was retired in dedication to the club's all-time record goal scorer after Farren died ofcancer in 2016.
^On January 26, 2002 during an Israeli Premier League match againstBeitar Jerusalem, Levi suddenly collapsed in the middle of the pitch, away from the run of play. Levi was treated for years, and later returned to his family house in avegetative state.[46]
^Exception granted for another member of Maldini family, in which case the number would be reissued.[52]
^The shirt is not fully retired. Arellano has given consent for his son to adopt the number 28.
^Calero's number had been retired on 23 October 2011 after Calero's retirement as a professional player. Later his number was retired again posthumous when he died on 4 December 2012.
^Chitiva was given number 100 in 2011 to commemorate the 110th. anniversary of the club. Chitiva was chosen to carry that number due to his career in the club.[63][64]
^No. retired in 2011 to commemorate his world record of 1,013 senior appearances for the club.
^Pope John Paul did not play for Cracovia but was a strong supporter of the team.[73] The number was retired on 4 January 2005 during Pope's private audience with the players and staff of Cracovia inVatican City, during which they gave him a shirt with his name and number.[74]
^Ferreira died on 23 December 2017, with the number retired on 3 January 2018.Leonardo Acevedo was the last player to hold the number, but changed to the 59 shirt midway through the2017–18 season.[82]
^The number 10 had been retired by theArgentine Football Association in October 2001 to honour Maradona. Before the2002 World Cup, the AFA submitted a squad list of 23 players for the tournament, listed 1 through 24, with the number 10 omitted.[23] FIFA rejected Argentina's list, and the governing body's president,Sepp Blatter suggested the number 10 shirt be instead given to the team's third-choice goalkeeper,Roberto Bonano. AFA ultimately submitted a revised list withAriel Ortega, originally listed as number 23, as the number 10.[119] The number 10 has been worn by other players since, most notably byLionel Messi, whom Maradona considered "his successor".
^Period counts since squad numbers were established as mandatory in Argentina.[120]
^Following an initiative by then managerRamón Díaz,[121] the club decided to put this number out of circulation in 2013 because arch-rivalBoca Juniors fans are nicknamed "La 12".[122][123][124] Due to Conmebol rules (that forced players to wear consecutive numbers) the #12 was ocassionally re-issued for international competitions. Nevertheless, the number has not been issued since 2024 neither in domestic nor in international competitions.[121]
^Sydney FC have not officially retired the number 15 shirt, but it has not been allocated to another player since McFlynn retired from professional football in 2014. McFlynn also held a staffing position with Sydney FC from 2014 until 2019.
^Schottel's number was temporarily retired for at least ten years. In 2013, it was reactivated and given toThanos Petsos.
^The number 10 was temporarily retired in honor renowned strikerPelé following the club's relegation from theCampeonato Brasileiro Série A after 111 years.[125]
^The number was out of circulation for a period of 23 months (starting May 2012) in honor of the second top scorer in the history of the club.[126]
^Rather than retiring the number, the club opted to freeze the number for any future player that wants it, provided that the applying player meets 7 game achievements. Among those are scoring 3 goals overall againstSparta Prague, being nominated for his national team, winning the trophy for top goalscorer and others. Even thoughMilan Škoda met the requirements in the2016–17 season, he opted to keep his number 21. The 7 was eventually given toDanny upon him joining the team for2017-18 season. Vlček gave his consent and Danny pledged to work to meet the remaining criteria.[127]
^The number 10 had been retired by theFEF in 2013 to honour Benítez, died at 27 years old from acardiac arrest.[128][129] Nevertheless, the number had to be reissued due to FIFA rules for the2014 World Cup that stated squads to be numbered 1–23.[7] For that occasion,Felipe Caicedo was given number 11.[130]
^Bradford retired number 8 across all age groups of the Bradford Academy, after the tragic death of 13-yo player Tomi Solomon, stating that it shall 'remain with him forever'.[131] Solomon drowned in River Calder in 2021.[132] The decision did not include the senior squad, where the number remain in use.
^Following Flahavan's death in a car accident in August 2001, Portsmouth and his first club,Southampton, retired their number 1 shirts for the 2001–02 season as a mark of respect. From the 2003–04 season, Portsmouth retired the number 13 shirt, as this was the number Flahavan wore during the majority of his time at the club. Number 13 remained unused until 2011, when it was allocated to goalkeeperStephen Henderson, and it has been reissued since.
^Leeds retired the number 17 shirt due to Italian chairman Massimo Cellino's superstitions, as 17 is considered an unlucky number inItalian culture. Number was re-issued in July 2019.[133]
^The club retired the number 9 for nine seasons after the striker died of cancer on 10 August 2010. The number returned to use in 2020, following the arrival of Stansfield’s son,Jay Stansfield, at Exeter City. As of 2023, Jay Stansfield continues to wear the number 9 shirt.[134]
^Carl Ikeme retired from professional football before the 2018–2019 season after complete remission fromacute leukaemia and the club decided to leave the jersey –previously worn by Ikeme– vacant,[135] with newly signedRui Patrício unusually wearing the number 11[136] and the other team goalkeepers wearing numbers ending in "1".[137][138] In 2021, the number was reissued following the signing of new goalkeeperJosé Sá, and after Ikeme stated publicly that he wished for someone to take the number.[139][140]
^First ever retired shirt number in the history of Finnish football is ex-Haka's Valeri Popovitch's number 14. Popovitch has stated that his sons, who are still playing for Haka's junior teams, can wear the legendary number if they want.[141]
^The club had announced that the number would remain out of circulation as long as Podolski is playing football on a professional level. Nevertheless, the #10 was given toPatrick Helmes in July 2014.[142]
^At the time Raúl left the club, the team intended to retire the jersey indefinitely.[143] However, the retirement of this shirt only lasted one year; withMax Meyer wearing it from 2013 to 2018.
^Retired on 2 June 2013 in respect of Luque being the most notable player in the DVTK history. His number was retired for ten years.
^The shirt was retired after Parvin's retirement, but Parvin gave the shirt to player Hamid Estili and the shirt has since not been retired permanently.[144][145][146][147]
^During a game between Maccabi Tel Aviv andBeitar Jerusalem, Levi chest-controlled and kicked the ball, ran back to defend, then collapsed. He returned to his feet, and then collapsed a second time. He was subsequently on a life-support machine, and has since returned home. The club claims that the number 12 is unofficially reserved for the fans.[148]
^In December 2005, Livorno officially retired the #10 jersey. However, Protti, who led the forward line and captained his side in two promotions from Serie C1 to Serie A, quickly gaining a reputation as a fan favourite, announced his willingness to see the #10 number reissued to another player, in order to "give anybody back a dream to dress it one day." This was made effective starting from the2007–08 season, in whichFrancesco Tavano played with the #10 number.[149]
^Maldini's number was not fully retired so he gave consent for his sons to adopt the number 3 shirt if either of them play professionally for the club.[23][150]
^The shirt number had been retired by the club when the player left the club in 2003. WhenKevin Strootman joined Roma in 2013, he asked for permission to wear number 6. The club approved the request after Aldair gave his consent.[151][152] The number remained in use and has given to other players since.
^The shirt was retired posthumously, to honour Michikata who played a key role in establishment of formerTosu Futures and their revival as Sagan Tosu, and who died due to kidney cancer on 7 January 2000. Number 17, derived from the day of his death, was selected to be retired. The number would later also be dedicated to the club's fans, thus they have not retired squad number 12 like most Japanese League teams.
^Akhaa Ahli Aley have retired the squad number 20, in honour of Atwi's death in 2020 due to a stray bullet in the head. The club has retired the number for two seasons—from 2020 to 2022—the duration in which Atwi stayed at the club.[153]
^Career as player. Since 2013, Morales became part of the coaching staff.
^The shirt was never officially retired, but it was not issued out of American competitions for the time between Morales' exit and his return as a coach. All players intending to wear the jersey have to ask for Morales' consent. It is now being worn byIsaác Brizuela.
^Caballero's number was just temporarily retired for five years. After that period, it was reactivated and given toHirving Lozano in 2014.[154]
^Nouri collapsed on the pitch after suffering severecardiac arrhythmia,[156] which forced him to leave football.[157] Number 34 has not been issued since then.
^The club had retired the number to honor Basma's career at Stabæk. However, the retirement was revoked after 2004 season and the number given toHenning Hauger.
^After the death of Chalana, the club announced the number 10 jersey would become vacated for the 2022–23 season.[158]
^The club retired the number after club captain McCathie was found dead in his home on 8 January 1996, as a result ofCarbon monoxide poisoning.[159] At that time, Scottish League clubs used shirt numbered from 1 to 11, so for the remainder of the 1995–96 season, 12 was used instead. However, the number was not retired permanently, and has been re-issued since.
^O'Donnell collapsed while playing for Motherwell againstDundee United in 2007. He was pronounced dead at Wishaw General Hospital. The number 10 shirt was worn by his nephewDavid Clarkson during the 2008–09 season. Since Clarkson left in June 2009, it has not been retired, but has not been issued to any subsequent player.
^The club retired the number 22 after Manyathela died in a car crash in August 2003. However,Confederation of African Football rules state that shirts must be numbered 1–30 in continental club competitions, so Pirates has re-issued it in those special cases.
^Luis Enrique joined the club as a free agent from eternal rivalsReal Madrid, spending eight years at Barcelona, even becoming captain of the team. The shirt was retired for just two years (2004–06), sinceLa Liga did not allow numbers to be retired permanently. The number 21 shirt was awarded toLilian Thuram in 2006. Since his arrival at the club in 2020,Frenkie de Jong currently holds the number 21 shirt, taking it fromCarles Aleñá.
^TheSpanish Football League allowed Oviedo to retire number 10 just for the2000–01 season, as an exception to its rules. At the end of the season, number 10 was re-issued.
^The number was temporarily retired after Puerta died of a cardiac arrest on the first match day in La Liga 2007–2008. However, Spanish Football Federation rules state that clubs must use number 1 to 25 for their regular squad, and as a result,David Prieto wore the number in 2008 in honour of his friend.[160] It has become a club policy to reserve number 16 for players coming from theyouth academy as a tribute to Puerta, who was a youth system product. Exceptions have been made when 16 was the only jersey number available.[161]
^Retired for ten years between 2019 and 2028.[163]
^Despite the club announcing the retirement of the number, it has been re-issued.
^The number was not officially retired by the Galaxy but had not been worn since Jones retired. In 2017, it was given toJermaine Jones.[164]
^abJason Kreis's number 9 was not worn by RSL players after the time of its retirement in 2011.[168] However, in 2019, when the club decided to retire Javier Morales's number 11, Kreis pleaded with the club to recirculate his number 9. As a result, both number 9 and number 11 are still circulated numbers for the club. Kreis and Morales's names and numbers are "retired" and displayed prominently above the player's tunnel on the west concourse of America First Field.[169]
Some clubs dedicate a number to their fans, and do not issue it to any player. The most common number for this practice is 12, from descriptions of the fans as "the twelfth man". Clubs and teams that do not give the '12' to any player include:
^abcDespite having their number "12" retired, Brazilian clubs have had to re-issue them forCONMEBOL competitions such asCopa Libertadores, where the squads must be numbered from 1 to 25 consecutively,[171] although that rule changed and teams can use arbitrary numbers from 1 to 50.[9]
7 –Paysandu reserve the number for their supporters.
11 –Indy Eleven reserve the number for their supporters.
13 –Reading andBryne reserve the number for their supporters,Panathinaikos reserve the number in honour ofGate 13, theultras based in the respective gate in home matches. Between 2002 and 2007Norwich City reserved the number 13 shirt for "the fans" after which it was worn byDeclan Rudd whileShrewsbury Town reserve the number 13 shirt for the fan who wins a pre-season competition.
16 –Bursaspor reserve the number for their supporters.
17 –Sagan Tosu retired the number in dedication to their fans.
27 –Bournemouth use squad number for the Steve Fletcher Stand which houses the large majority of hardcore supporters, the number 50 for "12th man" and the number 99 shirt for their mascot, Cherry Bear.
^"Легенда №14" [Legend No.14].FC Shakhter (in Russian). 15 May 2017. Archived fromthe original on 10 March 2018.
^"Fjalim përkujtimor" [Memorial speech].Facebook (in Albanian). KF Trepça '89. 11 December 2022.Dhimbja nuk shprehet me fjale por ERI do mbetet gjithmone ne zemrat e Klubit, per ndere Trepca 89 prej sot Fanelen me numerin 15 do ta ngrijm dhe do ta vendosim ne sirtar me te cilen fanelë ERI ishte pjese e Ekipit Senior[self-published]
^"پیراهن علی پروین در پرسپولیس بایگانی شد" [Ali Parvin's shirt was archived in Persepolis].Bank Varzesh (in Persian). 5 June 2015. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved5 June 2016.
^"To "79" ανήκει στους πορτοκαλί!" ["79" belongs to the oranges!].sentragoal.philenews.com (in Greek). 12 October 2010. Archived fromthe original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved2 August 2014.
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