Quick Guide on Picking a Soccer Jersey Number

Every football player wears a jersey that has a particular jersey number. These numbers are very important. There’s a reason why every player has a jersey with a number at the back. That’s why picking a soccer jersey number is important. Do you know what that particular jersey number means? Here’s what the numbers mean:

The main reason for having a jersey number is to identify a specific player. Each player in a team wears a different number. Jersey number makes things easier for referees. They use the number to identify a player. Referees rarely shout out a player’s name, they shout out their number and that makes communication easier on the field.

How to pick a jersey number?

There are a few ways of picking a jersey number. One of those is you can pick your jersey number based on your playing position. There are different positions of play in soccer. Like, goalkeeper, defense, midfield, attack, etc.

#1

Jersey number 1 is traditionally given to a goalkeeper. You’ll find the majority of the goalkeepers wearing this number. Why jersey number 1 for a goalkeeper? Because they come first on the team list.

#2

Jersey number 2 is generally given to a right back. If you are a defender who plays on the right side then jersey number 2 you’re likely to wear.

#3

Jersey number 3 is assigned to the left-back. If you play the left-back position, the 3 number jersey will be the right fit for you.

#4 & #5

Jersey numbers 4 and 5 are given to the central defenders. Coaches can assign the central defender’s jersey numbers 4 & 5 based on their performance.

#6

Jersey number 6 is given to the central midfielder.

#7

Jersey number 7 is the dream jersey number of football players. However, the team is assigning the jersey number based on playing position then this number is given to the wingers.

#8

Jersey number 8 is assigned to the central midfielders.

#9

Jersey number 9 is assigned to the striker. If you will ask any striker how they feel about this jersey number, the answer will be the jersey number is a source of pride for them.

#10

Jersey number 10 is given to the attacking midfielders. Players love to wear this number because great players like Lionel Messi had the privilege of wearing this number.

#11 & #12

Jersey number 11 is also for wingers. Jersey number 12 is a free number that can be used by any player and that’s the reason why the second goalkeeper in the team wears 12.

Picking Jersey Number based on Number Valuable To You

Apart from choosing a number based on your playing position, you can also choose a number according to the numbers that matter to you. If you want you can use the following idea to choose one:

Birthday day

You can consider your birthday date as your jersey number. Surely, your birthday is special for you. Let’s take the example of Gianluigi Donnarumma who wears the number #99 because he was born in 1999.

Special Date

Every person has a date that is important in their life. You can choose your jersey number according to your special date. For example, you choose a date when you started playing soccer professionally.

Conclusion

One thing that you should always remember is when you go to a new team, you may not get the opportunity to pick the number that you want. In such a situation take the number that is available or your coach assigned you. Take time and be the best player on the team and there will be a time when you’ll be picking the number you want.

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