Number Myths

The fun in football as a game is not only limited to the game on the field of play, sometimes, some things as minute as Jersey numbers and the reasons behind them would sometimes keep your ribs cracking. I have decided to pick just a few of them in this post.

1. JORGE CAMPOS

This name would definitely ring bell in the ears of many football enthusiasts. The Mexican Goalkeeper was know for his very flashy outfits and skilful displays. He would sometimes dribble from the goal to the midfield before releasing a pass. He was a Goalkeeper and most traditionally, should be wearing the Number 1 Jersey but he wore the number 9 Jersey when available because he started his career as a striker, so, he still felt that vibe in him and would in the worst case scenario settle for number 19,a combination of Goalkeeper number and his favorite 9.

1. BIXENTE LIZARAZU

The French left back donned the number 3 Jersey, prominently at the triumphant 1998 World Cup of France but decided to switch to Jersey number 69 when he played for Bayern Munich in 2005 saying it was his year of birth, his weight and height. Weird? Maybe!

1. DAVID BECKHAM

The supermodel Footballer was known for his number 7 Jersey at Manchester United and when he moved to Real Madrid in 2003,his favoured 7 Jersey was not available. It was taken by club legend, Raul Gonzalez. He happily went for the number 23 Jersey saying NBA great, Michael Jordan was making the number great.

1. RONALDINHO GAUCHO, MATHIEU FLAMINI & ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO

These trio donned the colours of AC Milan in the 2008/2009 season. The preferred numbers of the trio, 10, 16 & 7 respectively were all taken and lucky enough, they have different birth years, so, they opted for their respective birth years 80(1980), 84(1984 and 76(1976).

1. IVAN ZAMORANO

This one makes it into number 5 due to its funny nature. Chilean International, Ivan Zamorano was Inter Milan's main striker wearing the number 9 Jersey and Ronaldo De Lima was putting on the number 10 Jersey. Then in 1998 when the club signed Roberto Baggio, the Italian took the number 9 Jersey and the number 10 Jersey was transferred to Ronaldo, leaving Zamorano with no squad number. Because he loved his number 9, he opted to wear a Jersey with number 1+8, mathematically making him the number 9.