During his tenure at AC Milan, Italian custodian Gianluigi Donnarumma famously wore the number 99, a decision that could have easily earned him a place among the most unique kit numbers in sports. However, the Euro 2020 winner’s distinctive numerals, which he worn since he was sixteen, have been lost when he joined PSG in 2021.
As a nod to his birth year, Donnarumma had always worn 99, using the number on his back to establish his reputation and legacy. However, an odd Ligue 1 rule barred him when he got to the French capital, forcing him to break with the custom that had up until then characterised his career.
Why Donnarumma is Banned From Wearing Favourite 99 Shirt
Ligue 1 rules prevent the Italian shot-stopper from keeping his unique number
Players are prohibited by Ligue 1’s stringent regulations from donning what they call “whimsical dials,” which include any number greater than thirty. When Mario Balotelli was at Nice and Marseille, they notoriously forbade him from wearing his No. 45. Every Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 club is required to create the number assignment list on Isyfoot 72 hours before to the competition’s commencement, according to LFP Rule #670.
“There can be no more than 30 names on this list. The last number on the list, 30, might be modified and added to with each club relocation. The board may make an exception to the previous paragraph if a club can provide evidence for hiring more than thirty professional players on a contract. Whimsical dials (such as 45–82) are not allowed.
Gianluigi Donnarumma will not be able to wear his preferred No. 99 shirt at PSG 💔
French football regulations say that players have to wear numbers between 1 and 30 🇫🇷
Goalkeepers can only wear numbers 1, 16 and 30 🧤 pic.twitter.com/LtKLugrrV1
— GOAL (@goal) June 8, 2021
It goes on to say: “Goalkeepers are the only ones who can use the numbers 1, 16, and 30. The number 40 can finally be assigned. Every team is required to have a number 33 jersey that is kept for breaking replacements and is not assigned to a player. The LFP creates a directory early in the season that referees and delegates can access.
The Fascinating History of Donnarumma’s Shirt Number
When he initially joined PSG, he wore the number 50.
At AC Milan, Donnarumma had always worn the number 99, but when he joined PSG, he found himself in the middle of a packed goalkeeping group. Prior to the 2021–2022 season, Mauricio Pochettino had nine goalkeepers to pick from, therefore the team had to invoke Ligue 1’s exceptions to give the new hire the number 50 shirt.
Since then, the French powerhouses have balanced their books and let go of a glut of goalkeepers, including the loan-to-buy agreement that saw Alphonse Areola join West Ham in the Premier League and the free transfer of Keylor Navas to Newell’s Old Boys. This ultimately resulted in Donnarumma receiving the number one shirt near the close of the 2021–2022 campaign, which he has since worn for both club and nation.
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