What’s the Significance of Retired Numbers in Football?

In the world of football, a shirt number is more than just a way to identify players on the pitch. It often becomes part of a player’s identity, a symbol that fans associate with moments of glory, dedication, and legacy. That’s why retiring a number—a gesture where a club decides that no player will wear a certain jersey again—is one of the highest honors that can be given.

Although not a widespread practice in football, when a number is retired, it always carries deep emotional significance. But what exactly does this gesture mean, and when does it happen?

Unlike in American sports like basketball or baseball, where retiring jersey numbers is quite common, football clubs tend to reserve this gesture for only the most extraordinary cases. One reason for this is practical: football teams have limited squad numbers to assign, especially under regulations in domestic and European competitions.

Still, when clubs do retire a number, it's not just for formality—it’s an act rooted in respect, memory, and often grief.

Numbers are retired for two main reasons: to honor players who have had an exceptional impact, or in response to tragic circumstances.

In the first category, legendary careers often lead to a shirt being retired. AC Milan, for instance, retired the number 3 for Paolo Maldini and number 6 for Franco Baresi—two iconic defenders who spent their entire careers at the club. Napoli retired the number 10 in tribute to Diego Maradona, a footballing genius who transformed the club's history.

Then there’s the second and more painful reason: tragedy. When a player dies unexpectedly—especially while still active—it often leads to a club retiring their shirt in remembrance. Manchester City retired Marc-Vivien Foé’s number 23 after he collapsed and died during a match for Cameroon in 2003. Similarly, Sevilla retired the number 16 for Antonio Puerta, who passed away in 2007 after suffering cardiac arrest on the pitch.

The Diogo Jota Tragedy

Most recently, the football world was shaken by the death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota. On July 4, 2025, Liverpool FC announced that they would retire his number 20 shirt in memory of the Portuguese star.

Jota had become a key part of Liverpool’s attack since joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020. Known for his tireless work rate, sharp finishing, and team-first mentality, Jota had earned the admiration of fans, teammates, and coaches alike. His sudden death was a heartbreaking moment for football, and Liverpool’s decision to retire his number serves as a permanent tribute to his legacy.

Retiring a shirt number is not simply a symbolic act—it’s a message that the player’s contribution transcended ordinary standards. It says that their presence left such an impact that no one else should wear the same number again.

In an age where players move frequently between clubs and shirt numbers often change, this kind of tribute is especially powerful. It freezes a legacy in time. It gives fans a concrete way to remember not only what the player did, but who they were.

Liverpool FC

Although not a tradition as common in football as in other sports, the retirement of a jersey number is one of the most emotional and respectful gestures a club can make. It’s reserved for those who made unforgettable contributions or whose lives were tragically cut short.

From Diego Maradona to Diogo Jota, the act of retiring a number transforms a shirt into a legacy. It becomes a symbol of greatness, of memory, and of love between a club, its supporters, and a player who will never be forgotten.