Football numbers meaning...

[Melanicus 5,208]

OK, In modern football football numbers are losing their meaning, but I'd really like to know what football numbers mean?

For example, number 10 is reserved for playmakers and so on...

Can you explain me for other numbers, I especially want to know about my favourite number 8.

[manpe 10,861]

Nr. 8 is also for playmakers/main midfielders I think.. I don't know, I'm basing my opinion on the fact that Lampard, Gerrard, Parker, Iniesta, Kaka, Arteta etc. have this number. 8 is also my favourite btw 9 is usually for the main striker... 2 and 3 are often main full-backs.

[Amblève. 4,995]

I'd say #8 is used by attacking midfielders who are also playing well in defense. Box-to-Box players...

[Hysteria 159]

1 goal keepers . 5 players than retain the ball i think.

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

4 and 6 are for CB's and 5 is for a holding midfielder. Wingers wear 7 or 11.

[termninja 5,290]

21 is the special number worn only by the few and it represents leadership, commitment and glory!

[LDN Blue 7,903]

It's not an exact science, because like you say, it's lost meaning.. But it's something like this..

#1 - Goalkeeper

#2 - Right-back

#3 - Left-back

#4 - Centre back

#5 - Centre back/Defensive Mid

#6 - Centre back/Defensive Mid

#7 - Right sided midfielder/winger

#8 - Attacking/Central midfielder

#10 - Playmaker/Centre forward

#9 - Support Striker

#11 - Centre forward.

[Term-X 7,891]

It's not an exact science, because like you say, it's lost meaning.. But it's something like this..

#1 - Goalkeeper

#2 - Right-back

#3 - Left-back

#4 - Centre back

#5 - Centre back/Defensive Mid

#6 - Centre back/Defensive Mid

#7 - Right sided midfielder/winger

#8 - Attacking/Central midfielder

#10 - Playmaker/Centre forward

#9 - Support Striker

#11 - Centre forward.

ST/Support striker? .. 9 is more a full fledged CF number, I'd consider 11 for wingers, only recently have forwards started adopting that number (Drogba etc).

[chrismada9 1,948]

Marcel Desailly wore number 8 for France during World Cup '98 and he was a defender..

[Amblève. 4,995]

There's no real meaning nowadays so we can only suggest which number suits to which player role...

[LDN Blue 7,903]

ST/Support striker? .. 9 is more a full fledged CF number, I'd consider 11 for wingers, only recently have forwards started adopting that number (Drogba etc).

Yeah, good point actually.

Ronaldo, Inzaghi, Osgood ect. were all #9 and CF's.

[eldo 868]

Isn't 11 same as 7 but on the other side.

[Naked Mole Rat 437]

The number system was based on the 2-3-5 formation, which no longer exists. This was sort of what it was like:

1. Goalie 2. Right Back (RCB) 3. Left Back (LCB) 4. Right Half (RCM) 5. Centre Half (CM) 6. Left Half (LCM) 7. Right Wing (RW) 8. Inside Right (RCF) 9. Centre Forward (CF) 10. Inside Left (LCF) 11. Left Wing (LW)

Then when 3-2-2-3 came about:

1. Goalie 2. Right Back (RB) 3. Left Back (LB) 4. Right Half (RCM) 5. Centre Back (CB) 6. Left Half (LCM) 7. RIght Wing (RW) 8. Inside Right (RCAM) 9. Centre Forward (CF) 10. Inside Left (LCAM) 11. Left Wing (LW)

Now, with three-back defense with side backs no longer existent, I think this is how most people associate numbers with positions:

1. GK 2. RB 3. LB 4. CM (DM or CB) 5. CB 6. CB 7. WM 8. CM (CAM) 9. CF 10. CM (CAM or CF even) 11. WM

[Wilson 358]

26 = The number of legends

[zolayes 14,489]

The number system was based on the 2-3-5 formation, which no longer exists. This was sort of what it was like:

1. Goalie 2. Right Back (RCB) 3. Left Back (LCB) 4. Right Half (RCM) 5. Centre Half (CM) 6. Left Half (LCM) 7. Right Wing (RW) 8. Inside Right (RCF) 9. Centre Forward (CF) 10. Inside Left (LCF) 11. Left Wing (LW)

Then when 3-2-2-3 came about:

1. Goalie 2. Right Back (RB) 3. Left Back (LB) 4. Right Half (RCM) 5. Centre Back (CB) 6. Left Half (LCM) 7. RIght Wing (RW) 8. Inside Right (RCAM) 9. Centre Forward (CF) 10. Inside Left (LCAM) 11. Left Wing (LW)

Now, with three-back defense with side backs no longer existent, I think this is how most people associate numbers with positions:

1. GK 2. RB 3. LB 4. CM (DM or CB) 5. CB 6. CB 7. WM 8. CM (CAM) 9. CF 10. CM (CAM or CF even) 11. WM

the original pre 50s formation was really 3 2 2 3...the 2 2 being in a square formation

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Nowadays you just typically see 1, 13 and 23 reserved for goalkeepers; 2, 3, 5, 6 for defenders; 4, 8, 10 for midfielders, 7, 11 for wingers and 9 for strikers, but obviously there is a lot more variation.

[francozola 2,040]

26 = The number of legends

Charlie Adam wears 26 for Liverpool

[chrismada9 1,948]

26 = The number of legends

25 = The number of magicians