Football, often called the "king of sports", is not only a game but also a symbol of the best values in sports. One of the unique and meaningful cultural features of this sport is the tradition of football players swapping shirts, which takes place regularly and always attracts the attention of fans. So why do players do this? Let's explore with Wintips the meaning and reason behind the tradition of exchanging shirts through the article below!
Why do football players swap shirts?
The first recorded shirt exchange tradition was in 1931, during a match between France and England. The relationship between the two countries has a long history, beyond football. At that time, the French team was considered weaker but created a big surprise when they won. The joy of victory made the French players want to keep a meaningful souvenir, so they asked the English players to exchange shirts. The English team agreed, thus forming one of the most precious traditions in football.
What does this mean?
Exchanging jerseys in football has a special meaning, representing a sacred tradition. A jersey is not just a playing outfit but also a personal symbol of the player, associated with the name, shirt number and team badge. Therefore, when two players exchange jerseys, it is a way for them to show respect and acknowledge each other's talent.
This is also the reason why players often choose to exchange shirts with opponents they consider to be on the same level or admire. However, sometimes the shirt exchange occurs due to a request from another player, regardless of class or reputation.
Are players required to swap shirts?
Not at all! It’s not compulsory. Players don’t usually make a big deal out of swapping shirts, but it can be a memorable moment, especially for young players who get to play alongside their idols. A memorable example is the young centre-back Jon Ashton in the early 2000s.
Former Leicester City player Paul McAndrew told The Athletic: “We played Manchester United when Micky Adams was manager. It was the day we were relegated from the Premier League. Laurent Blanc, the French captain, was playing for them, and John Ashton was a young player for us.
After the game, John asked for Blanc’s shirt. Laurent, who is a very friendly guy, took off his shirt and gave it to him. John thanked him and took the shirt, but Blanc looked at him as if to say, ‘Where’s yours?’. John asked, embarrassed: ‘You want my shirt?’. Laurent laughed and replied: ‘Of course!’
I like to think that somewhere, in Laurent Blanc’s house, John Ashton’s shirt still hangs as a souvenir”.
Players as Fans
It’s no secret that football players are often the sport’s most passionate fans. Many have grown up rooting for a great player and yearning to own their idol’s jersey. This is also an important part of the tradition of shirt-swapping – when players ask for the jersey of someone they admire.
Asking for and swapping shirts actually has a deeper meaning than you might imagine. When a player asks for a shirt from a colleague, it’s usually a clear sign of admiration for that person’s talent or influence. Lionel Messi, one of the greatest players of all time, rarely takes the initiative to ask for a shirt. However, he once broke the rules and asked for Zinedine Zidane’s shirt.
Promising French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is a prime example. A devoted fan of Cristiano Ronaldo since childhood, Camavinga didn’t miss the opportunity to ask for CR7’s shirt. After receiving it, he posted it on Snapchat with the caption: "I won't wash it".
How do they use these jerseys?
As mentioned earlier, football players are also fans of the sport and often collect jerseys from different matches. For most players, these jerseys are not only a souvenir of the match but also a mark of the player they exchanged the jersey with. This is also a way for them to recognize their own career. Some players maintain their jersey collection as a passion and do not hesitate to show them off.
Sometimes, disputes arise when two players want the same jersey from an opponent. Although the jersey exchange usually takes place after the match, there are also times when the exchange takes place during the match. This tradition is a great testament to the spirit of sportsmanship, which hopefully will always be an integral part of football and spread to all other sports.
Ronaldo and Messi have never swapped shirts!
So the big question is — if swapping shirts is a sign of respect and players often choose to swap shirts with players of equal caliber, why don’t Messi and Ronaldo do it? They clearly have mutual respect for each other and have faced each other many times, so why haven’t they swapped shirts? Is it because of competition between them?
Despite what fans and commentators might want you to believe, that’s not the case. Neither Messi nor Ronaldo has ever asked for shirts from other players. They’ve become so accustomed to other players asking for their shirts. On the contrary, whenever Messi and Ronaldo face off, it’s perfectly normal for players from opposing teams to ask for their shirts before the game.
So will we ever see these two legends swap shirts? The answer is a resounding yes.
Conclusion
Football players swapping shirts is a time-honored tradition, symbolizing respect, solidarity, and a way to commemorate memorable moments from matches. Originating in 1931 during a game between France and England, this practice has grown into a hallmark of sportsmanship and mutual admiration. While not mandatory, many players view swapping shirts as a gesture of respect toward their idols or peers. These shirts become treasured keepsakes, capturing significant milestones in a player’s career. Globally recognized and celebrated, the tradition of swapping shirts remains a vital part of the “beautiful game,” embodying football's core values beyond the pitch.
See more: How many times has Real Madrid won the Champions League?
