Foot Ball Numbers.

[bednobs]

Can footballers choose their numbers? Do certain numbers play certain positions? What's the highest number?

[Mamyalynne]

Some info here

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squad_number_(association_football)#United_Kingdom

[bednobs]

thanks

[Ken4155]

Only 'special' players can choose their numbers. Ronaldo used to play number 7 for Man Utd. He has returned to them and has been given the same number shirt, with Edinson Cavani (who had that number) now wearing the number he plays in for his country.
It is extremely rare to see a team in any of England's top 4 divisions numbered 1 to 11. Burnley fielded just that in their last match before the international break.

[bednobs]

can they go over 99?
can they have 0?
how "special" do you have to be to choose?

[Ken4155]

As far as i am aware, bednobs, the numbers on the shirts indicate how many full time professionals that particular club has. None that i know of have as many as 99!
Putting a '0' on the back of someone's shirts would just be plain silly - if it is even allowed. The number '0' has only one place, imho, and that is on a roulette wheel.
In answer to your 3rd question, you have to be very, very, very, very, very, very special.

[Ken4155]

^
Oops, missed out a 'very' :-)

[chelle7272]

Numbers depend on the size of the squad, each player with a team has a different number so in the UK they are usually numbered between 1 and 50.
I've only seen 100 or over for special celebrations, birth years or matches played for country, not as a regular number.
How special - I guess it depends how much money / publicity you make for the club :)

[Ken4155]

This is what Chelle means, bednobs;

https://www.sportbible.com/football/cristiano-ronaldos-man-united-shirt-sales-have-reached-187-million-20210910