The Mysticism of Seven
The history of jersey numbers in football is so long and well-established that this seemingly minute detail has acquired a greater significance. Such mutation has elevated it from a practical tool to a powerful symbol.
@manchesterunited
The Seven
The shirt number, invisible to the wearer, has been internalized, becoming the epitome of the player. Soccer originally began without numbers, on fields with barely recognizable widths, ill-defined boundaries, and a complete lack of standardized height.
Herbert Chapman introduced numbered shirts to Arsenal's red and white kit. In their first match against Sheffield United on August 25, 1928, the pairing between numbers and positions emerged from the Gunners' 3-2-2-3. For instance, the goalkeeper was assigned number 1, defenders were given numbers 2 and 3, and the centre forward wore number 9.
The numbering persisted across the pitches regardless any official recognition, as the Football League Management Committee did not formally endorse it. The governing body initially refused to regularize them in 1934, only to approve them five years later.
Seven is a number laden with simulacrum: it represents a fabled, sacred alchemy, embodying the desire to soar like the beating wings of a bird.
Seven days of creation, Seven sacraments, Seven doors in Islam leading to Seven lands and Seven heavens, and the Seven steps taken by Buddha.
There are Seven spirits and Seven planets in the first astronomical atlas. The allure of Seven is inspired by the athletes who wore it, embodying the qualities of an unblemished hero.
These numbers Seven were like tightrope walkers on the sidelines, ineffable dreamers, and artists, yet often sacrificed in sports industry in the guise of paragons of technique and discipline.
@manchesterunited
The Origin
Winger emerged from a football rooted in instinct, with Brazilians captivating sports storytelling around Seven. This number symbolized freedom, movement, flair, and athleticism. In a bygone era, far removed from today's competitiveness, the first master of this role was Julinho.
Sharing their Lusophone heritage, Manoel Francisco dos Santos stood out as a Divine. Considered the greatest dribbler in football history, Garrincha was plagued by congenital defects: a squint, a deformed spine, an unbalanced pelvis, a six-centimetre difference between his leg, with one knee suffering from varus and the other from valgus.
These malformations, a result of polio and malnutrition, led doctors to advise against his ‘futebol moleque’. Seven became a legend, though his life was tragically cut short at forty-nine due to cirrhosis of the liver, exacerbated by alcoholism.
Where the jersey is merely a uniform, the number carries the semiotic weight, imbued with the mysticism of sorcerers and fortune tellers.
The Passing of the Baton
“Who won the first Ballon d'Or?” The answer is Stanley Matthews, of course, at the age of fifty. For the Queen's subjects, he is the quintessential number Seven. England boasts an unparalleled legacy of famous number Seven.
While Liverpool's red side has seen Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish don the number, in Manchester Seven has been endowed with mysterious meaning. The secular history of this number is compelling.
Johnny Berry lay was hospitalized following the Munich air disaster on February 6, 1958, after returning from a 3-3 draw against Red Star Belgrade that failed to secure the Red Devils a spot in the European Cup semi-finals.
Years later, by dint to their Seven Manchester United became the first English club to ever win the European championship. The allure of numerology lies in finding connections between the finite and the infinite.
The BEST
These are the classic tales of who, had they continued playing, would not have attained such status. The stigmata of genius and the genealogy of a prodigy begin with a 1.73 m, 69 kg Irishman from a humble Belfast neighbourhood – the cradle of Northern Irish partisanship, and the bedrock of George Best.
“I was darting around the pitch, a fantastic feeling”, in '66, inside Eusebio's Benfica da Luz, the Red Devils triumphed 5-1. Best scored with a header and the second by slicing through the Portuguese defence.
He went through Benfica's ranks effortlessly, untouched by the defenders. The Portuguese press dubbed him the Fifth Beatle; George Best became football's first star, with endorsement deals, advertising, and a symbol of the era's pop counterculture.
The quote, “I spent my money on **** alcohol and drugs, and all the rest I wasted”, was spoken with a waiter delivering a bottle of Don Perignon, to him and a Miss Universe – one of many he has been dating.
In 1968-1969 Champions League Final was against Águilas. A dribble, and a shot into the net, deflected though perfect. Benfica had no more to give, and Man United scored two additional goals, making English football European champion for the first time ever.
Such moments tend to overshadow many of those who follow. I believe we are fortunate Best played sparingly, as some individual players are best remembered for their brief, unforgettable contributions.
The first guy who did not honour the Seven was Willy Morgan who, despite his polished appearance and 226 games for the club, he failed to secure a place in the hearts of Red Devils fans.
The Weight of Expectations
The baton then passed to Steve Coppell, an unremarkable right-back from the overlooked '70s squad. The Seven is imbued with the timeless champion's flair. Bryan Robson managed to uphold this legacy, albeit a box-to-box left-back, not particularly talented, but tactically smart.
The relationship between soccer legends and jersey numbers isn't limited to the iconic Seven, whose legend is inextricably linked to the number 14, taught us this. An early account of the origin of the number 14 comes from Johan Cruyff and Gerrie Mühren.
On October 30, 1970, before the match against European champions Feyenoord, his former Ajax teammate could not find his jersey in the locker room.
Cruyff gave him his number 9 and chose the first available bench jersey, number 14. Until 1993, such example stood alone, the names were written in block letters above the numbers, as if players owned them.
This is the first example of such rule in football sportswear. From then on, jerseys were assigned to players for the whole season. “The right player, in the right team, at the right time”, according to Sir Alex Ferguson. Eric Cantona has no predecessors: “Yes, your Highness”.
The turned on polo collar, the jawline, and his puffed-out chest makes him to outweigh the opposers. The Seven is gradually taking on the identity of a true striker. The role has evolved: ball needs to move quickly, aiming to take on opponents, cut inside, and finish at the net.
The Seven must support by breaking behind the line.
Wingers have altered the modern era whilst playing alongside the classic number 10. From Luis Figo to Ryan Giggs, Marc Overmars to Pavel Nedved, and Steve McManaman to Arjen Robben. Then again, David Beckham has always acknowledged his fascination with the Seven:
“I've been a Manchester United fan probably since I was four or five years old, as far back as I can remember, and I've always been aware of how important the number Seven shirt was”.
The Red Devils were winning 2-0 at Wimbledon, Beckham, then 21 years old and wearing the number 10, received a ball slowly coming to him from his defence, just before the halfway.
The Spice Boy, anyway, is no ordinary player, and scores a marvellous chip in the Wimbledon goal. He raises his arms with open palms to celebrate, while the commentator, live on air, admits:
“We could have expected this from Eric Cantona”.
The charming young man from London is a sex idol and image icon, embodying the most picturesque and artistic version of football. Beckham offers the number 10 to Sheringham and takes the Seven of Bryan Robson.
@franckribery7
CR7
This shirt symbolizes relentless effort, the continuous running on the right flank. Besides its lesser interpreters, like Johnny Berry, Willy Morgan, and Steve Coppell, wore it too. Beckham goes to Madrid – he wouldn’t watch any Red Devils games for two years.
The images of the Premier League that began seemed to tell of a god, a superman. "What shirt do you want?” Ferguson asked him. “Me? 28”, replied the 18-year-old Portuguese winger, referring to his number from Sporting. “No, you take the Seven”.
Born in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and named after their ancestors, Cristiano Ronaldo was doubtless too talented. On the right or the left, let him cut into the middle, or he swerves again and goes back to the wing.
He makes three or four double passes, again with his heel, and the marker crashes into the billboards. CR7 crosses a rabona, and who else but the Seven?
