Each football player wears a uniform with a specific number, which is an integral attribute of this sport. How exactly are numbers for t-shirts selected and are there certain rules or traditions in this matter? Why you can rarely see players with number 12.

How did the numbers appear on the football uniform?

The first appearance of numbered T-shirts in the history of football dates from October 13, 1928. That day there was a football match in England between the well-known teams - Chelsea and Liverpool. Representatives of both teams appeared on the field not just in football uniforms, but in T-shirts numbered from 1 to 11.

Only 10 years later, numbered T-shirts gained popularity around the world. Around the 90s, athletes had to follow a single rule - to wear T-shirts 1-11, no exceptions, as required by FIFA. In this case, the following numbers were assigned to the spare - starting from 12, etc. Thus, during the playing season, athletes could constantly go out under different numbers. There could be several reasons for this, for example, the transition from the main structure to the reserve, a change of position, etc.

But after the 1994 championship, the Americans came up with a new rule. From this moment it was necessary to assign a specific number to each athlete of the football club. Now each athlete had a choice under which number to leave. At the same time, the players have retained several traditions in this regard.Some of them are associated with specific numbers.

How are numbers assigned to players?

A football club assigns a number to a certain football player in several cases. First of all, we are talking about significant achievements of the athlete, and the fixed number becomes a symbol of universal recognition of his merits. Numbers are also assigned to football players who received serious injuries or, as a result of more serious consequences, were forced to end their careers.

After the number is assigned to the athlete, the remaining players of this football club cannot use it. However, sometimes decisions made earlier are canceled or clubs have to adapt to the rules of a particular tournament. For example, sometimes the rules of the championship prescribe restrictions on the use of numbers. International championships held under the auspices of FIFA prohibit athletes from choosing any numbers. In other competitions, friendlies, it all depends on the decision of the national association.

The assignment of numbers in clubs is associated with several traditions. The most popular are numbers from 1 to 10. Number 1 (sometimes 0 or a T-shirt without a number at all) can often be found on goalkeepers. The numbers 2, 3, 4 are the prerogative of the defenders, and 5 is the player of the center of the field. Athletes of the CIS countries rarely take number 6 (due to an undesirable nickname), which can not be said of world football players.

Interesting fact: at number 0 was the footballer of the Scottish club Aberdeen - Hisham Zerouali. The reason for this choice was the nickname "Zero", which was invented by the fans.

Particularly popular is the number seven, which is associated with successful players (Ronaldo). Eight is chosen by playmakers (point guards) or players of the center line of the field. Nine is a symbol of the central striker, and 10 is considered one of the most prestigious. As a rule, it is taken by football players who set the game for the whole team (Maradona, Pele, Messi, Neymar, etc.).

Some rooms have a special relationship. For example, often players take numbers from 80 to 99 to indicate the year of birth on a T-shirt (Ronaldinho - 80, 1980). Number 17 is taken by the most talented young athlete, or if the seven are already occupied by someone.

Why is number 12 rarely used?

Number 12 is special among everyone else. The fact is that it is rarely possible to meet a soccer player with the number 12 on a T-shirt. This is due to the established tradition of giving this number to fans. For example, clubs such as Zenit, CSKA, PSV, Bayern, Dynamo (Kiev), Saturn, BATE have assigned number 12 to their fans.

An interesting fact is the tradition of giving 12 numbers to fans. There is a legend that in 1922 even such a term appeared - “twelfth player”. During one of the US football matches, the team lacked a participant, so I had to turn to the fans for help. It was a team from Texas, and the decision to take one of the fans belonged to the coach. There were not enough athletes due to the fact that many of them were injured in previous matches and were forced to miss the game. Those who wanted to help their favorite team were John Bybl, who not only participated, but helped the club win.He was called the 12th player. Whether this is true or just a legend remains a mystery, but tradition has firmly entered the sport.

Some clubs do not support this tradition, but prefer to assign other numbers to fans. For example, “Reading”, “Panathinaikos” were given to fans number 13. The fans of FC Rostov club number 61 due to the fact that this is the automobile index of the Rostov region. Fans of the Spartak club got number 72 (in 1972 the fan movement “red-white” appeared), fans of Bristol City - 31, fans of Oldham Athletic - 40.

Interesting fact: In friendly matches, athletes often wear special T-shirts, the numbers on which are confined to some events. For example, Jesus Arellano played at number 400 for the Monterrey team in the 1996-1997 season, as this year his hometown celebrated its 400th anniversary.

Short answer

The number 12 is actually there, but athletes with this number are rarely seen on the field. This is due to the fact that in football there is a tradition - to assign the number 12 to the fans. So did FC Zenit, PSV, CSKA, Bayern and others. This tradition arose, according to legend, after the 1922 match in the United States, when the team needed another player, and had to turn to the fans. The lucky one was John Byble. Assigning numbers to football players is a very important thing for them. They take numbers according to their position on the field and other factors. Numbers are also assigned to outstanding athletes for their services to the club.