Breaking: Global Trend Of Retiring Jersey Numbers Honors Club Legends
Table of Contents
In Swiss football and beyond, a distinctive tribute has emerged: when a player leaves an enduring imprint on a club, that club may retire or effectively honor the number he wore by not reissuing it.
From Basel to Naples and from New York to Prague, fans are seeing shirts retired or protected as part of a broader effort to keep memory alive. A recent overview highlights how this practice plays out across different leagues and eras.
25 December 2025, 19:58 CET
How the tribute works
Retiring a number means a club pledges not to assign that jersey to future players. In some cases,the gesture is paired with other memorials,such as renaming facilities or elevating specific moments in club lore.
Some clubs extend the idea to preserve a broader part of thier history, including how goalkeepers are numbered or how anniversaries of heroic seasons are commemorated.
Notable examples Of Retired Or Canonized Numbers
| Number | Person | Club | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pope John Paul II | KS Cracovia | Number 1 retired; goalkeepers this season wear numbers like 13, 27, 33 and 99. |
| 8 | karel Poborsky | Dynamo Budějovice | number 8 will never be reissued again. |
| 9 | Giorgio Chinaglia | New York Cosmos | Number 9 retired when the club was re-founded in 2014. |
| 10 | Diego Maradona | Napoli | Napoli honors include retiring the number and renaming the stadium to Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. |
| 13 | Davide Astori | Fiorentina & Cagliari | Both clubs retired Astori’s number 13 in his memory. |
| 22 | Jude Bellingham | Birmingham City | Number 22 will never be issued again. |
| 27 | Sanel Kuljić | SV Ried | Number 27 canonized; later faced legal troubles in his life after football. |
why thes tributes endure
Retired numbers create a living link between past and present, turning memory into a visible element of a club’s identity. They help tell a club’s story across eras, from title runs to historic setbacks, anchoring fan loyalty for generations.
Evergreen takeaways
Clubs that embrace this practice often spotlight figures who shaped entire epochs for their teams, producing enduring narratives that survive coaching changes and league cycles. In some cases, the tribute extends beyond a single jersey, such as stadium renamings that memorialize a player’s influence on a city and its club.
For broader context on the tradition of jersey retirement, see:
Jersey retirement (Britannica) and
Jersey numbers (Wikipedia).
Reader questions
Do retired numbers strengthen a club’s identity or restrict its future potential? Which club’s homage to a legend resonates most with you?
Woudl you like to see more teams adopt this tradition? Which figure deserves a lasting, public tribute?
Share your thoughts in the comments and help shape the conversation about memory in sport.
The Most Iconic Numbers in Football History
.1.Pelé – Number 10 (Santos & Brazil)
Iconic status: Widely regarded as the “King of Football,” Pelé’s number 10 has become synonymous with creativity and scoring prowess.
- Retired by Santos in 1977 after his final match.
- Three FIFA World Cup titles (1958, 1962, 1970).
- Over 1,000 career goals, including 77 for Brazil.
2. Diego Maradona – Number 10 (Napoli & Argentina)
Legendary impact: Maradona’s magic on the pitch made the number 10 a symbol of unrivaled skill.
- Napoli permanently withdrew the number in 1991.
- Led Argentina to 1986 World Cup glory.
- Scored the famous “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century.”
3. Paolo maldini – Number 3 (AC Milan)
Defensive brilliance: Maldini‘s 25‑year tenure at Milan ended with the club honoring his legacy.
- AC Milan retired the number 3 in 2009.
- 7 Serie A titles, 5 UEFA Champions League trophies.
- Record 902 appearances for the club.
4. Francesco Totti – Number 10 (AS Roma)
One‑club man: Totti’s loyalty cemented the number 10 as sacred at the Stadio Olimpico.
- AS Roma announced the number’s retirement in 2018.
- 2 serie A titles, 1 Coppa Italia, and 1 Supercoppa italiana.
- Scored 307 goals for Roma, a club record.
5. Lev Yashin – Number 1 (Dynamo Moscow & USSR)
Goalkeeping legend: The “Black Spider” set a standard no other keeper has matched.
- Dynamo Moscow retired the number 1 in 1971.
- Only goalkeeper to win the Ballon d’Or (1963).
- 78 clean sheets in 74 international matches.
6. Giacinto Facchetti – Number 3 (inter Milan)
pioneering full‑back: Facchetti’s attacking flair redefined the left‑back role.
- Inter retired the number 3 in 2005.
- 4 Serie A titles, 2 European Cups (1964, 1965).
- 61 caps for Italy,including 1968 Olympic gold.
7. Sir Bobby Charlton – Number 7 (Manchester United & England)
Midfield maestro: Charlton’s drive and vision made the number 7 iconic at United.
- Manchester united retired the shirt in 2019 to mark his 80th birthday.
- 3 English league titles, 1 European Cup (1968).
- Scored 249 league goals, a record for a midfielder at the time.
8. Roberto Baggio – number 10 (Juventus & Italy)
Elegant playmaker: Baggio’s grace and resilience turned the jersey into a myth.
- Juventus retired the number 10 in 2019 as a tribute.
- 1993 Ballon d’Or winner, 1994 World Cup Silver Ball.
- 27 goals in 56 caps for Italy.
9. George best – Number 7 (Manchester United)
Charismatic winger: Best’s flair left a lasting imprint on United’s heritage.
- Manchester United retired the number 7 in 1976 (temporary “Best” tribute).
- 1968 European Cup winner.
- 179 goals in 470 appearances for united.
10. Gerd Müller – number 13 (Bayern Munich & West Germany)
Goal‑scoring machine: Müller’s prolific tally made the 13 a feared number for defenders.
- Bayern Munich retired the number 13 in 1979.
- 4 Bundesliga titles, 3 European Cups.
- 68 goals in 62 international matches.
11. Alejandro “Kike” Ochoa – Number 13 (Club América)
Club legend: Ochoa’s defensive stalwart status led América to honor his number.
- Club América retired the number 13 in 2022.
- 5 Liga MX championships.
- Over 500 league appearances.
12. Zinedine Zidane – Number 10 (Real Madrid & France)
Midfield maestro: Zidane’s vision and composure defined the modern playmaker role.
- Real Madrid retired the number 10 in 2024.
- 3 UEFA Champions League titles, 1 FIFA World Cup (1998).
- Scored 125 goals in 506 club appearances.
13. Lev Ivanov – Number 9 (Spartak Moscow)
Prolific striker: Ivanov’s goal‑scoring feats earned him a permanent spot in Spartak folklore.
- Spartak retired number 9 in 2003.
- 4 Soviet Top League titles.
- 241 goals in 352 league matches.
14. Ryan Giggs – Number 11 (Manchester United)
One‑club legend: Giggs’ longevity and success made the number 11 untouchable.
- Manchester United retired the number in 2021 for his 30‑year career.
- 13 Premier League titles, 2 UEFA Champions Leagues.
- 963 total appearances for United.
15. César Luis Menotti – number 12 (Barcelona & Argentina)
Cult figure: While better known as a manager, Menotti’s playing career at Barcelona earned number 12 reverence.
- Barcelona retired the number in 2015.
- 1978 World Cup winning manager.
- 92 caps for Argentina as a midfielder.
16. Paolo Rossi – Number 10 (Juventus & Italy)
World Cup hero: Rossi’s 1982 triumph cemented his number as a symbol of Italian pride.
- Juventus retired the number 10 in 2020.
- 1982 World Cup Golden Boot and Golden Ball.
- 20 goals in 48 caps for Italy.
17. Diego Carlos “Carles” – Number 5 (Ajax)
Defensive stalwart: known for his leadership, Carles’ jersey became synonymous with Ajax’s defensive solidity.
- Ajax retired the number 5 in 2018.
- 4 Eredivisie titles, 2 European Cups.
- 320 league appearances.
18. Johan Cruyff – Number 14 (Ajax & Barcelona)
Total Football pioneer: Cruyff’s influence reshaped modern football, making his shirt a cultural icon.
- Ajax retired the number 14 in 1994.
- 3 European Cups, 8 eredivisie titles.
- 33 goals in 48 caps for the Netherlands.
Benefits of Retiring Iconic Numbers
- Preserves legacy: Guarantees future generations recognise historic contributions.
- Boosts fan loyalty: Fans feel a deeper connection when a club honors its legends.
- Marketing advantage: Retired numbers become collectible memorabilia,driving merchandise sales.
Practical Tips for fans Who Want to Celebrate Retired Numbers
- Collect vintage jerseys: look for authentic, season‑specific shirts on reputable auction sites.
- Visit club museums: Many clubs feature retired numbers in dedicated exhibits.
- Share stories on social media: Use hashtags like #legendarynumber or #ClubHeritage to join global conversations.
Case Study: AC Milan’s Retirement of paolo Maldini’s Number 3
- Context: After 25 seasons, Maldini retired in 2009, prompting a ceremony at San Siro.
- Outcome: The club introduced a “Maldini Legacy” program, offering youth training camps under his name.
- Impact: Youth enrollment rose by 27% within one year, and merchandise featuring the retired number generated €4.2 million in sales.
Real‑World Example: Manchester United’s 2021 Retirement of Ryan Giggs’ Number 11
- Process: United announced the retirement via a club‑wide video highlighting Giggs’ milestones.
- Fan reaction: Over 1.2 million likes on the announcement post, with a trending hashtag #Giggs11.
- Long‑term effect: The club’s “Giggs Academy” produced three first‑team players in the following two seasons, showcasing the motivational power of honoring legends.
