Table of Contents
- Soccer players number 13 – Is it even allowed?
- The number 13 jersey in soccer: The reserve goalkeeper
- The most famous players to wear the number 13 jersey
- How do soccer players choose their numbers?
- Recap: Soccer players number 13
Soccer players number 13 – lucky or unlucky for some?!
If you’re a soccer fan, you will be aware that players have a number on the front and the back of their jerseys. There are lots of different reasons why soccer players choose specific numbers, whether it correlates with their position on the field or whether the number means something personal to them.
When it comes to superstition, you might think that soccer players would avoid the number 13, as it’s often regarded as the unluckiest of numbers! Still, regardless of superstition, there are a number of soccer players who wear the number 13 jersey, as we explain in this article!
Soccer players number 13 – Is it even allowed?
Yes, absolutely! Soccer players can wear the number 13 jersey if they wish. In fact, soccer players can wear any number on their jerseys between number 1 and number 99. Traditionally, the number 13 jersey in soccer is given to the second-choice goalkeeper, but today, it’s common to see outfield players opt for the jersey instead.
So, read on to find out everything you need to know about soccer players number 13 and why some players aren’t concerned with the superstition that the number 13 is supposed to be unlucky!
The number 13 jersey in soccer: The reserve goalkeeper
Historically, the number 13 jersey in soccer was given to the second or third-choice goalkeeper. This is still a tradition that many teams and players adhere to today, and it’s fairly common to see the backup goalkeeper wearing number 13 on their jersey.
The reason for this is linked to the traditional numbers given to substitutes. For example, the first-choice goalie is number one, while the remaining players on the field run from numbers 2-11. Therefore, the second and third-choice goalkeepers would conventionally be given numbers 12 & 13, as they’re first in line on the substitutes bench.
It’s important to note here that in most leagues, it’s not necessary for soccer goalies to wear the number 13 jersey; it’s just something that has been commonplace in soccer for a long time. That being said, in Spanish La Liga, it’s mandated that goalkeepers must wear numbers 1, 13, and 25, which restricts the use of the number 13 jersey in Spanish soccer.
So, while you can choose whether to wear the number 13 jersey in most soccer leagues, it’s typically a jersey reserved for one of the goalkeepers. But as we explain below, many legendary players have worn the number 13 in soccer!
The most famous players to wear the number 13 jersey
Keen soccer fans will know that the number 13 is not solely reserved for goalkeepers, and some of the best players on the planet have worn (and even continue to wear) the number 13. Here, we introduce some of the most famous outfield soccer players to wear number 13 during their illustrious careers:
Michael Ballack & Rudi Voller
Easily one of Germany’s most commanding midfielders of all time, Michael Ballack was known to wear the number 13 jersey at most of his clubs. He wore it when he played for Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea. He even requested it when he represented Germany at international tournaments.
The reason why Ballack opted for the number 13 jersey in soccer for the majority of his career was due to the influence of German legend Rudi Voller on his career. Voller also wore number 13 and is widely regarded as one of the finest German players to grace the German game!
Maicon
Brazilian defender Maicon enjoyed a decorated career at the pinnacle of European soccer and was particularly admired during his playing days at AS Roma and Inter Milan. So much so that he was given the nickname “Il Colosso” during his time in Italy.
The only curious thing about Maicon was his decision to opt for the number 13 jersey at club and international levels. Unlike Michael Ballack, Maicon hasn’t attributed his jersey choice to a particular player that went before him, and it remains a mystery as to why the Brazilian chose to wear the unconventional number!
Alessandro Nesta
Staying in Serie A, one of the finest defenders to play in the modern era was Alessandro Nesta, who formed a formidable partnership alongside Paolo Maldini at the heart of the AC Milan defense. Like Maicon, Nesta has never publicly stated why he chose number 13, and given how good he was, he could have asked for any number on the roster!
Nesta hung up his boots and ended his career with an overflowing trophy cabinet, highlighting the fact that the number 13 is only unlucky for some!
Gerd Muller & Thomas Muller
Gerd Muller is remembered as West Germany’s most prolific marksman. As well as being an out-and-out goal machine, Gerd Muller famously wore the number 13 jersey when representing his country. Famously, Muller scored a crucial goal in the 1974 World Cup final versus the Netherlands, wearing his famous number 13.
Thomas Muller – who is one of Germany’s most decorated players in the present day (no relation to the legendary Gerd) – also wears the number 13 for club and country. Thomas has achieved incredible things with Bayern Munich and the German national team, and he has continued the number 13 started by his namesake Gerd all those years before!
How do soccer players choose their numbers?
As this soccer players number 13 article has highlighted, there are a number of reasons why soccer players choose their numbers. Some pick their number because they like the number and it has significance to them, while others do it because they’re inspired by former players (Ballack and Voller, for instance).
But many soccer players choose their numbers based on their position on the field. The most obvious example is that the vast majority of soccer goalies wear the number one jersey, and it’s very unusual to see an outfield player donning the number one on the back of their jerseys!
Be sure to check out our ultimate guide to choosing a soccer number, which explains in detail how players choose their soccer numbers based on their positions on the field. Ultimately, it shows that there is indeed a method to the madness as far as selecting soccer numbers is concerned!
Recap: Soccer players number 13
Unlucky for some but lucky for others, some of the most decorated soccer players of all time have worn the number 13, including Michael Ballack, Gerd Muller, Alessandro Nesta, and Maicon, among others. So, while the superstitious out there might think that the number 13 jersey is jinxed, the trophy cabinets of these legends of the game tell another story altogether!
Although it’s often regarded as such, the number 13 isn’t the most controversial number that players can wear on their jerseys. Check out our recent article, where we introduce you to the number zero in soccer, looking at the few players in the history of the game that have been content with their position in the roster as player zero!