Footballers are sometimes as experimental with their jersey numbers as they are in their playing styles. Over the years, players have chosen jersey numbers that make them stand out to the crowd, and some of these squad numbers have become synonymous with our favorite footballers.
Manchester United fans have a long history with the number 7, as some of world football's best players have donned the jersey. This includes Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Eric Cantona and George Best, to name a few. The number 10 is synonymous with some of the greatest of our sport, as it has been worn by the likes of Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona and Pele.
However, some footballers have chosen more eccentric jersey numbers - be it Hicham Zerouali's #0 or Ivan Zamorano's 1+8 jersey.
On that note, let's take a look at the five times famous footballers took up strange jersey numbers.
#5 Antonio Cassano | 99
Antonio Cassano donned the number 99 jersey during his time at Inter Milan and AC Milan. 99 was the highest jersey number allowed in Serie A at the time.
The Italian made over 500 appearances in club football and represented Real Madrid, AS Roma and the two Milan clubs, among many others. Cassano wore the number 18 jersey in AS Roma and Real Madrid, while he stuck to his favored #99 jersey at Sampdoria, Parma, AC Milan and Inter Milan.
Antonio Cassano scores his first Serie A goal, 1999. pic.twitter.com/25a1XZCaIx
— 90s Football (@90sfootball) August 10, 2021
Operating as a second striker for the majority of his career, Cassano scored 139 goals and provided 94 assists. He won the 2006/07 La Liga title with Real Madrid and the 2010-11 Serie A trophy with AC Milan.
#4 Robinho | 56 & 70
The Brazilian alternated between four jersey numbers in his club career, including the #70 primarily at AC Milan and #56 for Guangzhou Evergrande.
Robinho has been one of Brazil's most lethal forwards in recent times and has donned the colors of some of Europe's biggest powerhouses. The now-37-year old began his professional career with the number 7 jersey at Santos followed by 10 at Real Madrid and Manchester City.
2008-09 Premier League gone shirt featuring Shaun Wright-Phillips & Robinho pic.twitter.com/MqbY324csk
— 👕 Man City Match Shirts 👕 (@MarkMmmac) August 8, 2021See AlsoBest dribbler in football: Messi, Maradona and moreWhy The Best Soccer Players Wear 10? The Sacred Number | Master Soccer Mind99 and 62 ... numbers linked in more ways than oneOilers great Ken Burrough, the last NFL player to wear No. 00, dies at 73
When he moved to AC Milan in the summer of 2010, the legendary Clarence Seedorf occupied his favored jersey and Alexander Pato was already assigned the #7 jersey. This forced Robinho to opt for the number 70 jersey - a combination of 7 and 10.
Robinho's jersey was just one of the many odd jersey numbers in AC Milan at the time. This includes Stephan El Shaarawy's 92, Antonio Cassano's 99 and Ronaldinho's 80, just to name a few.
#3 Gianluigi Buffon | 88
Gianluigi Buffon was at the center of huge controversy and immense media scrutiny when he chose the number 88 at boyhood club Parma.
The Italian shot-stopper's choice of the #88 jersey caused a backlash by the Italian Jewish community, as the number was considered to be a Neo-Nazi symbol. 88 translated as HH or Heil Hitler for the Nazis, as H is the eighth letter of the English alphabet.
Juventus added a special detail to their jerseys to celebrate Gianluigi Buffon's 648th Serie A appearance 🙌 pic.twitter.com/aMCiqytLAu
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 4, 2020
This forced Buffon to clarify his rationale behind the controversial decision. He said in an interview, "I have chosen 88 because it reminds me of four balls and in Italy, we all know what it means to have balls: strength and determination. And this season I will have to have balls to get back my place in the Italy team."
One of the greatest goalkeepers in world football and an absolute gentleman of the game, Buffon immediately decided to change his jersey number to 77.
#2 Ronaldinho | 80
The Brazilian magician is one of the greatest and most entertaining footballers in the history of the game. Ronaldinho's choice of jersey numbers has sometimes been as adventurous as his playing style.
Much like Robinho, Ronaldinho did not get his favored number 10 jersey at AC Milan, as it was worn by Clarence Seedorf. Hence, he decided on the #80 jersey, which he stuck to throughout his three-year stay in Milan.
Ronaldinho opted for his favored #10 jersey at Barcelona, Fluminense, Atletico Mineiro and Flamengo. However, he wore the number 21 on his back for a brief period in PSG and 49 at Queretaro and Mineiro for a season.
The 2005 Ballon d'Or winner established himself as one of the greats of the game during his five-season spell with Barcelona. In 207 appearances for the club, Ronaldinho was directly involved in 165 goals (94 goals, 71 assists). He also won the FIFA World Player of the Year accolade twice in a little more than his first 2 years at Camp Nou.
#1 Lionel Messi | 30
The footballing world was left stunned earlier this month as Barcelona announced that Lionel Messi will not be signing a new contract at the club.
The Argentine himself confirmed his departure from his boyhood club last Sunday and was recently unveiled as a PSG signing. Most expected Lionel Messi to continue wearing his iconic #10 jersey in Paris, which is currently worn by his former teammate Neymar.
Various reports have claimed that Neymar offered his jersey number to his good friend, but the offer was politely declined by Messi. The six-time Ballon d'Or winner instead opted for the #30 jersey, which left many fans scratching their heads. However, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise as Messi began his professional career for Barcelona with the #30 on his back.
Fans lining up outside PSG's official store in large numbers to get the new Messi jersey 🤯🔥 pic.twitter.com/tLxEx9NfkX
— TM (@TotalLeoMessi) August 11, 2021
Many have argued that Messi's decision to wear the number 30 jersey represents his emotional attachment to his boyhood club. The Argentine left the club after 17 years in the first team and 21 years, including his time at La Masia.
Messi left the Blaugrana with a staggering tally of 672 goals and 266 assists from 778 appearances.
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