The craze for the game of soccer cuts across the world. Even countries that don’t feature in major international tournaments, especially India, have a huge fanbase for the sport. Football also happens to be a sport where jersey numbers have an identity of their own. The numbers have become quite synonymous with certain players that it is difficult to imagine these in isolation. So, let us check out some iconic football jersey numbers of some famous players.
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Number 7
In football, whenever you hear the Number 7 one player immediately comes to our minds and that is Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal. Ronaldo is considered as one of the greatest to have played the game of football. Though some might vociferously protest against this claim, fans adore him for his exploits on the field and the million-dollar looks as well. Those who are not in awe of him say that he is an ordinary player and his popularity is mainly due to the name he shares with another great player from Brazil. This argument can at best be described as ridiculous as he recently became the all-time goal scorer in international football. Also, post shifting to the Man United he was instantly given the number 7 by Edinson Cavani, who was previously donning with the same jersey number. Even David Beckham also wore no 7 jersey during his initial playing days but he changed it after some time.
Number 10
Some of the finest footballers owned the jersey number 10. The iconic players of the past such as Pele, Maradona, Zidane, Kaka, Ronaldinho used to play with the jersey number, however, at present the numerical rings in only one name and that is Lionel Messi. Unfortunately, the number has changed for Messi in the Club circuit after his move to the French club PSG but for national duties, it is still the same for the Argentine star player. The Jersey number 10 has a great legacy attached to it, so only the deserving candidates get the same. Those having number 10 on the bodies are considered as exceptional ones to have brought glory, not just for the country but for the game as well.
Number 23
This number can easily be associated with two players: Michael Jordan and David Beckham. After a brief stint with the number 7, Beckham embraced 23 post making a move to Real Madrid. This also happened to be the former England player’s way of paying a tribute to the NBA czar Michael Jordan. Beckham donned the number 23 jersey when he played for his national team also.
Number 9
Despite the number moving out of the game’s spotlight these days, it used to be nothing short of a celebration and sheer madness for the Brazilian supporters in the past. Number 9 used to be one of the important identities of Ronaldo as a footballer in the past. With the advent of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the number 9 might have lost its sheen but it attained a divinity of sorts on the back of the Brazilian legend, who was an integral part of the 2002 World Cup-winning team.
