If you’ve ever tuned into a soccer game on TV or attended a live match, you’ve probably noticed players exchanging jerseys at the end of a match.
Why do they do this? Is it a sign of respect? And do they keep the jerseys they have exchanged and take them home?
We explain everything you need to know about soccer players exchanging jerseys and look at why this unique aspect of the game is a long and interesting tradition.
What’s the reason that soccer players swap jerseys?
Soccer players exchange jerseys as a mark of respect for their opposition. When a player requests to exchange jerseys, they want to commemorate the match and take your shirt home as a souvenir. One of the most famous soccer shirt exchanges was when Brazilian legend Pele swapped shirts with Bobby Moore in the 1970 World Cup.
When did socer players first exchange jerseys?
The earliest record of soccer players exchanging jerseys can be traced back to 1931. In a match between England and France, the French players requested the shirts of their English opposition to commemorate their remarkable 5-2 victory.
The friendly match took place in Colombes and goes down as one of France’s finest performances against their fierce rivals.
In spite of this being the earliest recorded instance of a team requesting the shirts of their opposition, the tradition didn’t really catch on until the 1970s, with Pele and Bobby Moore setting the trend in the 1970 World Cup.
Pele was instrumental in Brazil’s 1-0 win, and if it wasn’t for England goalkeeper Gordon Banks, the scoreline could have been an embarrassment for the English.
Still, the game is best remembered for the exchange of jerseys between Pele and Bobby Moore, and it was the birth of the modern tradition that takes place all around the world today.
Do soccer players keep the jerseys that they exchange?
After exchanging jerseys out on the field, soccer players take home the shirt of their opponents. It’s not uncommon for players to then keep these shirts for a lifetime, either hanging them in the closet at home or getting them framed.
After all, looking back through the jerseys of players you have competed against is an awesome way to reflect on your career when you retire.
It’s important to note that the practice of exchanging jerseys mainly occurs in the professional game. If you start exchanging jerseys in amateur soccer, you will rack up a huge bill throughout the season as you have to buy new shirts every week!
What happens if two players want the same jersey?
In some matches, when a superstar player features, teammates might fight over the prized jersey of an opponent. In a 2021 match between Gabon and Egypt, several Gabon players fought over the jersey of Liverpool forward Mo Salah.
This is nothing new. A few years ago, Italian legends Leo Bonucci and Geo Chiellini fought over Leo Messi’s jersey after a Champions League game in 2017. This was perhaps a little surprising, as Bonucci and Chiellini are legends of the game themselves!
Still, given that Messi is one of the greatest players of all time, it’s hard to begrudge the Italian defenders their desire to take home his jersey.
Do soccer players have to pay for their own jerseys?
In the professional game, soccer players don’t have to pay for their own jerseys. Their clubs issue them with several jerseys to wear on game day just in case one of their jerseys is torn or damaged during the match.
Even if they exchange their jerseys with the opposition, they’re not required to pay for them. When you think about the amount of money in soccer, this is hardly surprising.
But if you were to swap your jersey during an amateur game, you might find yourself with a bill from the club! After all, amateur teams don’t have a great deal of money, so swapping jerseys isn’t something that goes down particularly well with the club.
Do players swap jerseys with their own teammates?
It’s very rare to see players swap jerseys with their own teammates as they tend to switch with the opposition. However, in international fixtures, jersey swaps between teammates do occur.
You don’t often see it out on the pitch, as it would look a little strange to everyone watching on!
But when players get back into the locker room after the match, it’s not unheard of for them to exchange jerseys before heading back to their respective clubs.
This is particularly the case when players soccer players are called up to represent their national teams for the first time, and they approach the superstar player to ask for their jersey.
Can soccer players refuse to exchange jerseys?
Absolutely! There’s no requirement for soccer players to swap jerseys and many players are against it, for whatever reason.
There are several instances of Cristiano Ronaldo refusing to swap shirts with his opponents out on the field. For instance, in a match between Atalanta and Juventus, CR7 refused to swap shirts with German international Robin Gosens, although it’s not clear why!
Some soccer players refuse to swap jerseys because they have already promised their shirts to other people in advance.
Other pros just don’t agree with the principle of swapping jerseys, full stop. Irish legend Roy Keane has been outspoken in his criticism of players swapping jerseys, and he admits to only doing it once in his career before being rejected by German player Matthias Sammer.
So, exchanging jerseys is a big part of the modern soccer game, but it’s certainly not a necessity, and some players refuse for their own reasons.
Recap: Why do soccer players exchange jerseys?
The main reason why soccer players exchange jerseys is to show respect for their opposition. They can then return home with a memento of the game and cherish it for the rest of their careers.
But as we’ve explained, players don’t always agree to jersey exchanges, so it can sometimes end in embarrassment!