Soccer Jersey Numbers Explained: The Starting 11

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What do the different soccer jersey numbers mean? When the beautiful game was officially invented in the United Kingdom in the 1800s, players had to wear a specific number corresponding to their position on the field. This included assigning numbers in ascending order or by player position or seniority within the squad, which is no longer the case.

During the mid 1990s, permanent squad numbers began gaining popularity among clubs worldwide. This trend allowed fans to associate their favorite professional players with specific soccer jerseys over the course of seasons, helping create stronger fan-player connections. Nowadays, players do not have to wear a specific jersey number based on their position; the numbering system still plays a crucial role in modern soccer.

CR7, LM10, R9. Cristiano Ronaldo 7, Lionel Messi 10, Ronaldo 9. These are just a few of the many iconic players known for wearing a specific shirt number. In this blog, I will cover everything you need to know about soccer jersey numbers and explain the importance of this essential piece of soccer gear and equipment.

Traditional Numbering Conventions and Player Positions

In soccer, jersey numbers are not just digits on a player’s back. They carry historical significance, often indicating a player’s role, play-style, and position on the field, but not always. The numbering system is a great way to assign squad numbers, and many players have superstitions about them.

Since there are eleven players on the field, the numbering system focuses on distributing the first eleven numbers to the starting players. Defenders get the lower numbers, midfielders get the middle numbers, and attackers get the higher numbers.

Number 1

The number 1 is typically given to the top goalkeepers and the team’s starting goalkeeper. In the modern game, the goalkeeper is known as the team’s number 1 player. The second-choice goalkeeper will usually get the numbers after the starting XI, such as 12 or 13, but this can vary from team to team.

Some of the best number 1 goalkeepers in the world include Thibaut Courtois from Real Madrid and Manuel Neuer from Bayern Munich.

Number 2

Moving up the field, the next numbers are assigned to the four defenders, which may be three or five depending on the formation and tactics chosen by the coach, but typically it is four. The right back is the player who traditionally received the number two jersey.

One thing to note is that the number position combination is not as common in the defense and usually differs. Some of the best number 2s, or right backs, include Achraf Hakimi from PSG and Kyle Walker from Manchester City

Number 3

The left back is the player who used to wear number 3,and as you can probably guess from the name of this position, the left back plays to the left of the central defenders, or center backs, and makes up one half of the full backs.

Similar to the number two, this number position combination is not as common. Some of the best number 3s, or left-backs, include Alphonso Davies from Bayern Munich and Theo Hernandez from AC Milan.

Number 4 and Number 5

The next two numbers, four and five, are given to the two center backs, and these two can be interchangeable. Nowadays, most center backs still wear either of these numbers, though two and three are also common, as are numbers higher than 11.

Depending on the team’s formation and tactics, one center back can also play more as a sweeper. Some of the best number 4s and number 5s in the world include Virgil van Dijk from Liverpool FC, Ruben Dias from Manchester City, and Antonio Rudiger from Real Madrid.

Number 6

The number 6 is usually given to the defensive midfielders. The defensive midfielder, or the holding midfielder, is the player that will sit in front of the two center backs, and their job is to protect the backline and dictate the flow of the game.

Some of the best number 6s in the world include Rodri from Manchester City, Casemiro from Manchester United, and Joshua Kimmich from Bayern Munich.

Number 7

The number 7 is typically given to the left or right winger. This number can vary, but it is usually given to the left winger, whose job is to create goal-scoring opportunities and be a constant attacking threat.

The most famous example of someone who wears the number 7 is Cristiano Ronaldo, but many other players who don’t wear this number are also great at the winger position, such as Neymar from Al-Hilal and Vini Jr from Real Madrid.

Number 8

The number 8 is usually given to the true central midfielders. The central midfielder is a box-to-box player who is involved with both the attack and defense. The most famous example of a number 8 is Andres Iniesta, but many other players, such as Mateo Kovacic from Manchester City and Toni Kroos from Real Madrid, are excellent at playing the center-midfield role.

Number 9

The number 9 is given to the player playing the most advanced position on the field, the center forward or striker. This is one of the most common number combinations, and to this day, many strikers are referred to as the number 9, even if they are not wearing it.

Some of the best number 9s in the world include Karim Benzema, who plays for Al Ittihad, Robert Lewandowski, who plays for Barcelona, and Erling Haaland, who plays for Manchester City.

Number 10

The number 10 has been and remains the most special number in modern football. The number 10 is usually given to the center attacking midfielder, but it is also often given to the team’s best player, the one with the most creative abilities.

The number 10 is usually able to do all the attacking, such as providing assists, taking shots on goal, scoring goals, and creating goal-scoring opportunities for more forward players like wingers and strikers. The best players who wear the number 10 include Leo Messi of Inter Miami, Luka Modric of Real Madrid, and Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium.

Number 11

The Number 11 is another number given to the winger players. This number is interchangeable and given to either right- or left-wing groups, although it is usually given to right-wing groups.

The main role of a number 11 is to be a constant attacking threat by creating goal-scoring opportunities, taking on defenders on 1v1s, and scoring goals. Some examples of players who play in the number 11 position include Rodrygo of Real Madrid, Bukayo Saka of Arsenal, and Mo Salah of Liverpool FC.

Summary

To summarize, soccer jersey numbers have a rich history and are a special part of the beautiful game. Although back in the day players had to wear specific jersey numbers based on their positions, that is not entirely the case anymore.

Some numbers are still associated with specific positions in modern football today, and many players love to get their hands on a jersey with a number from the first starting eleven. In this blog, I covered everything you need to know about the basics of soccer jersey numbers, one of the most essential pieces of soccer equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you pick a jersey number in soccer?

In soccer, shirt numbers used to be assigned to players based on their positions; however, that is no longer entirely the case. To pick a soccer number, either pick a number you like and you are familiar with or a number that goes along with the position you play.

What is the difference between box-to-box midfielders, holding midfielders, central midfielders, attacking midfielders, and defensive midfielders?

All of the players mentioned are part of the central midfield. This means these players are responsible for controlling the midfield and linking the defense to the attack; however, each player has a slightly different role depending on their position.

A box-to-box midfielder is known as a central midfielder, or an 8; the holding midfielders are the defensive midfielders, or the 6; and the attacking midfielders are the 10s.

Who were the best national team soccer players at the FIFA World Cup 2022?

Goalkeeper: Emi Martinez

Right back: Achraf Hakimi

Center back: Koulibaly

Center back: Jasko Gvardiol

Left back: Theo Hernandez

Center midfielder: Luka Modric

Center midfielder: Sofyan Amrabat

Center Attacking midfielder: Bruno Fernandes

Left winger: Antoine Griezmann

Striker: Kylian Mbappe

Right winger: Lionel Messi

How can I learn more about the game?

To learn more about soccer, the most important thing is to join a team and play the game as much as possible. If possible, analyze high-level games as much as you can and your own games as well by recording them with a soccer camera. Also read soccer books, listen to podcasts and interviews, watch soccer documentaries, as well as some movies, TV shows, and anime.