CLUB legends deserve respect.
That’s why their teams have retired these star players’ squad numbers – never to be worn again.
Jude Bellingham’s No22 jersey has been retired by Birmingham CityCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Jude Bellingham became the latest footballer to be given the honour, after breaking through at Birmingham City to sign for Borussia Dortmund in a £25million deal.
And the 17-year-old joins a list of accomplished performers he would love to emulate.
DIEGO MARADONA NO10
Not just Napoli’s greatest ever player, but arguably the greatest of all-time, Maradona defined the No10 jersey.
He delivered two Serie A titles for the Italian giants, the only championships they have ever won, during a glittering seven-year career in Naples.
His famous No10 shirt was retired in 2000.
Interestingly, Argentina also tried to retire his No10 international top in time for the 2002 World Cup, but had their request rejected by Fifa.
Maradona was arguably the greatest NO10 of all timeCredit: Getty – Contributor
BOBBY MOORE NO6
The West Ham and England legend has been called the best defender to come from our shores.
So it was fitting in 2008 that the Hammers decided they would retire their captain’s No6.
The last player to wear it was Matthew Upson, who took the No15 on the 50-year anniversary Moore made his West Ham debut.
West Ham captain Bobby Moore’s NO6 was retired by West Ham in 2008Credit: Getty Images – Getty
PAOLO MALDINI NO3
AC Milan’s No3 shirt has remained dormant since Maldini’s last game for the club in 2009.
And why not, considering the iconic defender won Serie A seven times and five European Cup/Champions League titles during his time there.
The one club man does have one special request though where the shirt could become unretired.
Should one of his sons emerge through the ranks and into the first team, he will be offered the opportunity to wear the No3. No pressure then.
Paolo Maldini’s NO3 is only available to his sonsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
JOHAN CRUYFF NO14
In 2007, in honour of the late Cruyff’s 60th birthday, Ajax retired his famous No14 jersery.
The purveyor of ‘Total Football’ was an innovator on the pitch – winning the Ballon d’Or three times.
The late Dutch winger also played for Barcelona, who considered retiring the No14 jersey.
However, because he played in various squad numbers they changed their minds.
Johan Cruyff’s famous NO14 was retired by Ajax on his 60th birthday
MARC-VIVIEN FOE, 23
Tragedy can also bring hero status.
In 2003, Cameroon legend Foe was playing for his country against Colombia in the Confederations Cup when he collapsed in the centre circle.
Despite the desperate attempts of medics to revive him, he died of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy at hospital.
Manchester City duly retired his No23.
Marc-Vivien Foe’s NO23 was retired by Man City after his sudden passingCredit: Getty Images – Getty
PELE NO10
It’s fair to say NY Cosmos were put on the map by Pele.
Brazil’s greatest ever sports star played in the North American Soccer League from 1975-77 – scoring 64 goals in 107 games – in his twilight years.
That encouraged the Cosmos to retire his No10 shirt at half-time during his last game with the club.
Pele has been credited with increasing the interest of football in the States.
Pele wore the NO10 during his twilight years at NY CosmosCredit: Getty – Contributor
FRANCO BARESI NO6
Maldini isn’t the only AC Milan legend to have his shirt number retired.
His old defensive partner Franco Baresi was also given the honour, after winning Serie A six times and three European Cup/Champions League titles across a 20-year career.
Baresi’s jersey was retired in 1997, after his last game for the club.
Two years later, he was named AC Milan Player of the Century.
When Franco Baresi retired in 1997 Milan retired his NO6Credit: Getty Images – Getty
EMILIANO SALA NO9
The Argentine striker tragically died in an airplane crash after agreeing a deal with Cardiff City in 2019.
The football world grieved, while his former club Nantes knew what the most fitting tribute would be.
They retired his No9 jersey, after 133 games for the Ligue 1 brought 48 goals.
Nantes retired Sala’s NO9 after his tragic death in an airplane crashCredit: Icon Sport – Getty
CARL IKEME NO1
The Wolves No1 played 191 times for the club between 2003-2018.
But in 2017, Ikeme was diagnosed with acute leukemia.
A year later, after being in complete remission, he hung up his gloves.
In his honour, Wolves retired their No1 jersey.
And that’s why Rui Patricio wears No11.
Ikeme’s NO1 jersey was retired by Wolves in 2018Credit: Getty Images – Getty
HENRIK LARSSON NO17
Arguably, the greatest Swedish player of all-time.
Former Manchester United player Larsson is a legend at Helsingborgs, where he enjoyed two successful spells from 1992-93 and 2006-09.
He wore the No17 jersey up until his retirement in 2013.
To celebrate his incredible career, Helsingborgs retired his number soon after.
Henrik Larsson is a Helsingborgs legendCredit: Johan Persson
ROGERIO CENI NO01
Brazilian goalie Ceni played over 1,200 times for Sao Paulo in a career that began in 1990 and ended in 2015.
What was more remarkable was his goalscoring record – famous for taking set pieces, he scored 131 goals.
He had a unique squad number too – No01 – a purposefully inverted No10.
The No1 isn’t off limits, though.
Legend.
Ceni wore the NO01 jersey, an inverted NO10Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
