Why Do Footballers Swap Jerseys ? [Detailed Explanation]

One of the oldest football customs is the swapping of jerseys at the end of a game. Some soccer fans, however, don’t seem to understand why footballers do this, or even what the history of players exchanging shirts is.

After a football game, footballers swap jerseys to display respect for the game and civility. Swapping shirts is usually done between players of similar skill levels, but younger professional players will occasionally request the jersey of older, more famous players.

However, this is not the only justification why footballers swap jerseys. Game-worn shirts can have a strong emotional appeal for players, and some of the stories behind famous jersey swaps are fascinating. The unofficial nature of jersey swapping can also result in uncomfortable situations involving multiple players.

However, some football players refuse to exchange shirts because, well, they don’t want to wear someone else’s moisture absorption shirt. Others, on the other hand, take the opposite approach and even wear the stank-soaked shirt they’ve been given as the ultimate sign of respect. Or the desperate desire to put on any shirt, no matter how dirty it is.

Why Do Players Swap Shirts/ Jerseys?

More or less, every sport will have its own set of distinctive customs. For example, male hockey players have a strong legacy of not shaving their beards during playoffs until they have won the cup or another team has eliminated them.

The swapping of jerseys in football has been a custom since the sport’s inception in 1931. There are numerous reasons why this occurs.

• Establishing Respect

Because of the understanding and respect between two players of similar skill levels, most famous players will most often swap jerseys after a game.

By doing so, they essentially ‘recognize’ each other as rivals in the sport and acknowledge the effort put in by both sides to ensure they are the best in the game.

As a symbol of respect for what those players have accomplished throughout their careers, youngsters may solicit to exchange jerseys with older players.

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Because football has been around for a long time, one legendary player’s major achievements have most often served as motivation for youngsters to begin their professional careers.

Being able to play against the same legends they saw on TV can be an emotional experience for some players. A jersey swap at that game can be a valuable piece of memorabilia of the match.

• Some footballers Just Enjoy Swapping Shirts 

They frequently keep jerseys of various high-profile players as a reminder of the times they played against them, particularly during high-stakes games (semi-finals, final, derby, or continental). These shirts can be used to track a player’s professional football career over time.

Jersey swaps, nevertheless, are not guaranteed! Unsurprisingly, not every football match is polite and courteous. Occasionally there is bad blood between the two teams, making the swapping of jerseys extremely difficult.

• Some Footballers Won’t Swap Shirts

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, for example, has no Manchester United jerseys in his collection due to the two teams’ deeply entrenched (and often confrontational) feud and rivalry. He was quoted saying “he would not allow a single Manchester United jersey into his home “.

Six times Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi shirt’s collection also triggered some debate on the Internet after it was discovered that he did not own any of his arch-rival’s (Cristiano Ronaldo) shirts. However, many football enthusiasts believe that these two players are the best of their generation.

They have monopolized and dominated the beautiful game in their respective teams for many years. Some considered it odd that the two had never swapped shirts.

When it comes to swapping shirts, one thing to keep in mind is that it all depends on the players’ interests. Messi has frequently stated that he prefers to collect jerseys from his Argentine teammates. And, for unknown reasons (though you can bet that speculation is extremely prevalent on the subject).

Do Footballers Swap Jerseys With Their Teammates?

Footballers rarely swap shirts with their own teammates, preferring to do so with the opposing team. However, shirt swaps between teammates do occur during international matches. It’s not often seen on the field because it would appear pretty weird.

However, when players return to the locker room after a game, it is relatively rare for them to swap shirts before returning to their respective clubs. This is especially when players are called up for the first time to represent their national teams and approach the superstar player for their shirt.

When Did Football Jersey Swapping Begin?

According to FIFA, the first recorded case of this custom occurred in a match that involves France vs England in 1931, to “commemorate their historic 5-2 victory at Colombes.”

France was also a clear underdog, with England having dominated the sport for quite some time. As a result, the French players were overjoyed and desired a memento of the occasion. They asked the English players if they could keep their jerseys as a souvenir, and they agreed.

For decades, shirt swapping was reserved for special instances and primarily international fixtures, with the likeness of Pele and Bobby Moore’s swap following their World Cup group game in Mexico in 1970 held up as the pinnacle of shirt swapping — a representation of unity, oneness, and mutual respect between two iconic figures of the game.

The diplomacy of football, in which the club’s shirts are sacred and the shirt used captures the blood and sweat of players in their defense, was suspended for that brief moment.

However, not all managers have approved these customs, most notably Sir Alf Ramsay in the 1966 World Cup, when he forcibly prevented George Cohen from swapping his shirt with Alberto Gonzalez following a notably bitterly divided quarter-final clash against Argentina.

Can Jersey Be Exchange Anytime?

While the primary objective of this aspect of football is to extend respect to fellow players, there are unwritten rules that govern when and how that respect should be extended.

Amidst all of the benefits of this swapping shirt custom, there have been a few instances where it seemed inappropriate or out of place.

In 2014, while Liverpool was losing 3 to 0 to Real Madrid, Mario Balotelli swapped his shirt with Pepe, provoking widespread indifference and frustration from Liverpool fans and manager Brendan Rogers.

The fans interpreted Balotelli’s gesture as a lack of respect for the club. Despite the fact that his team was lagging and chasing results, he had time to swap shirts (pretty much not concerned with the halftime result).

Another grievous example occurred in 2012 when Arsenal defender Andre Santos decided to swap shirts with former Arsenal striker Robin van Persie during a Premier League match. It doesn’t appear to be a big deal at first.

He exchanged shirts at halftime rather than at the end of the game. Robin van Persie had become unpopular at Arsenal after joining their archrival, Manchester United.

Van Persie had been grooving around the Brazilian left-back for the majority of the first half before the swap, which was capped by a goal.

Swapping shirts after a disappointing first half with a player who not only got the better of you but who Arsenal fans loudly and publicly loathe was not the wisest course of action. Santos appeared unconcerned about the game or his poor play preceding the first 45 minutes. That may not have been the case, but it would be difficult to persuade Arsenal fans otherwise.

Regardless, swapping shirts should be construed as a means for players to express their respect for opposing players.

How Do Players Request For Shirt Swap?

A shirt swap usually occurs at the end of a game when two players want to show mutual respect to each other. Of course, this is usually only between two players of comparable status.

In an official game, 2nd or 3rd division teams may come up against some of football’s top stars. The most common scenario occurs during pre-season friendlies when famous teams frequently play against lower-league sides for marketing or advertisement purposes.

In this particular circumstance, the lower division player may request the jersey prior to the game, such as during warm-ups or inside the stadium tunnel. They do this to keep the jersey for themselves, as their teammates may also be clamoring for the superstar’s jersey.

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When Two Players Want The Same Shirt, What Happens?

Even during regular shirt swaps, competition for jerseys may occur. Most shirt swaps are unofficial, so most swaps take place when one player approaches the opposing player and both agree to swap shirts.

When two or more professionals want the same jersey, this can lead to some contentious battle. Understand, there are usually no hard and fast rules when it comes to this custom

A game between Inter Milan and Arsenal, in which Marco Materazzi and Javier Zanetti tried to argue over who should acquire Arsenal legend Thierry Henry’s shirt at the end of the game.

Some football fans strongly assume that leadership has an impact when two players want the same shirt: The football shirt is usually given to the aged, more experienced player. Zanetti was the senior at the time and thus had precedence.

While Others argue that it is determined by how frequently the two players encounter each other: In the Inter Milan vs. Arsenal game,  Zanetti was tasked with the responsibility to hold off Henry and monitor his every move.

As a result, the two players spent the vast majority of the game in high contact. As a result, Henry determined that Zanetti should be given first priority.

Zanetti eventually won the jersey, but the details of how he won are unknown.

What do Players do with swap jerseys?

Quite a number of soccer players amass shirt collections from various games and competitions in which they have competed during their careers. A whole lot of footballers defined their eras, shaped the sport, and helped it become what it is today.

Gerard Pique and Lionel Messi are examples of players who brag about their extensive jersey repository. This is how soccer players can keep a piece of the beautiful game history in their possession while also showing respect for the game they love and the players who play in it. It is also an exhibition of their illustrious career.

Conclusion

Shirt swapping is a football tradition that has evolved over time into one of the main aspects two opposing players can show respect for each other at the end of a game.

Many professional players today are also enthusiastic shirt collectors. They usually have rooms devoted entirely to showcasing all of the shirts they’ve amassed from different footballers over the course of their career, and these tend to serve as a permanent reminder of significant games.

FAQ

Why do footballers exchange jerseys?

Players exchange jerseys after a soccer game to show sportsmanship and mutual respect between two players.

Are football players allowed to swap shirts?

At each club, players are usually given two shirts per game so that they can change at half-time into a fresh one but also so they can have a replacement in case of a damaged or tarnished jersey.

Do footballers wear a new kit every game?

Nowadays, the shirts are only ever worn once because the club get so many requests from charities for shirts to be donated. Some players keep their shirts, some swap them with opponents and some donate them via the club.

Why do footballers wear jackets after being substituted?

Two reasons: For their health and comfort, after exerting themselves while playing.

Why do referees check players’ shorts?

Soccer referees check players’ shorts to inspect whether the color of their undershorts (if worn) match the color of their regular shorts.

Why do referees check players’ boots?

The footwear will generally be cleats, and the referee must check the bottoms to make certain that they are not dangerous, such as having sharp edges.

Do footballers eat at halftime?

Professional football players have actually confessed to eating some very unusual snacks at half-time, including fig rolls. These baked snacks are packed full of vitamins and minerals, as well as simple carbohydrates which are required for the slow release of energy during the second half of the match.

Do Premier League players wash their kits?

When you get up into the Premier League, you’re lucky. You have several kits, and after a match, you just throw the dirty kit on the floor and the kit man takes it away and washes it. All the dirty stuff is done for you, and a nice clean kit is laid out for you the next morning.

What do footballers do after a match?

A good cool down usually would consist of some active recovery (walking, slow jogging) followed by stretching. In some cases, the cooldown may be followed by ice baths or contrast baths. Ice baths have traditionally always been used, but in recent years, questions have risen regarding their impact.

What happens to football after the game?

Once a game has finished, the match ball can be taken off the pitch by either a player who has scored a hat-trick or, more commonly, the referee. In most cases, the referee and his team of officials will take the match ball back into the referee’s changing room to be stored for future fixtures at the same stadium.

Why do soccer players wear pennies on the bench?

The mesh vests or pinnies that teams can see be wearing are often to signify that they are out of the game, on the bench. Players wear these vests to help referees and active players determine who is life and who is not active.

Can footballers wear wedding rings?

A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous. All items of jewelry (necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, leather bands, rubber bands, etc.) are forbidden and must be removed. Using tape to cover jewelry is not permitted.

Why do footballers wear shorts under shorts?

Footballers usually wear slips – or underpants – and maybe skins – skin-tight long shorts – to keep their hamstrings and groin muscles warm.

Who runs the most in a football match?

Central midfielders (roughly 11 km) and full-backs (roughly between 10 and 11 km) tend to run the most in a football match, which is no real surprise given the nature of their positions in the modern game.

How many miles does a soccer referee run?

Referees, who can be twice the age of the players, sprint across the field keeping up with the players and closely tracking the action. They tend to run 12 miles during the game — five more than the players, according to data from the U.S. Soccer Federation.

What do professional soccer players drink during games?

Players will often sip a sports drink like GO Electrolyte, containing a balance of carbohydrates and electrolytes, that will help you store energy and maintain hydration in the hours before kick-off.

Do Premier League teams fly to matches?

Premier League teams fly to matches when distance or timing requires. This is a decision that must be made by each club and depends on several factors such as distance and timing.

How much do football players get fined for giving away footballs?

According to the NFL’s schedule of infractions and fines, players are fined $7,210 for a first offense and $12,360 for a second offense. However, this fine is usually reserved for when players throw or kick the ball into the stands.

Do footballers wear new boots every game?

They tend to wear a different pair to train in (mainly molded boots) and then they either wear a brand new pair for every game or they have a pair of boots they use for matches that get changed every few games. But players like David Beckham have a brand new pair of boots for each game.

Do football players eat before a game?

The pre-game meal should be consumed 1-4 h before the start of the game. The pre-game meal should be composed primarily of carbohydrates that will enhance liver glycogen, continue to replenish muscle glycogen and provide energy to the brain. Additionally, the fluid consumed will help with maintaining hydration.

Do Premier League players reuse kits?

Nowadays, the shirts are only ever worn once because the club get so many requests from charities for shirts to be donated. Some players keep their shirts, some swap them with opponents and some donate them via the club.

Do soccer players reuse jerseys?

After a match, players will often trade their jerseys with other players as a sign of respect whilst other used kits are auctioned by the club for charities. Kits that have been worn in important matches or special moments are often purchased by avid collectors and kept as memorabilia.

Why do footballers pull up one leg of their shorts?

Very simply, the higher the shorts, the cooler the legs.

Do referees have to be fit?

Referees must be able to run two 50-meter sprints in 7.5 seconds each, two 200-meter dashes in 32 seconds, and at least 2,700 meters in 12 minutes – that’s getting on for eight minutes a mile.