Cristiano Ronaldo is undoubtedly one of the greatest footballers of all time. With his incredible skill, speed, and agility, he has dominated the sport for over a decade. One of the most interesting questions about Ronaldo’s career is why he has always worn the number 10 jersey. There are several possible reasons for this choice, including his admiration for Brazilian legend Pele, his respect for the tradition of the number 10, and his personal connection to the number.
The most commonly cited reason for Ronaldo wearing the number 10 is his admiration for Brazilian icon Pele. Pele, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, wore the number 10 jersey throughout his career with the Brazilian national team. Pele’s skill and style of play had a significant influence on Ronaldo’s own development as a player, and Ronaldo has frequently expressed his admiration for the Brazilian legend.
Another reason why Ronaldo might have chosen the number 10 is the tradition and prestige associated with the number in football. The number 10 has long been considered a special position in football, typically reserved for the team’s most creative and skillful player. Some of the greatest footballers of all time have worn the number 10 jersey, including Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, and Johan Cruyff. By wearing the number 10, Ronaldo was signaling his own status as one of the elite players of his generation.
Finally, there may be a personal reason why Ronaldo wears the number 10. In the early stages of his career, Ronaldo wore the number 28 jersey for Sporting Lisbon. When he joined Manchester United in 2003, the number 28 was already taken by midfielder Quinton Fortune, so Ronaldo was offered the number 7 jersey instead. The number 7 had been worn by several legendary United players, including George Best, Eric Cantona, and David Beckham. Ronaldo wore the number 7 jersey for six seasons at United before moving to Real Madrid in 2009. At Real Madrid, the number 7 jersey was already taken by Raul, so Ronaldo was once again offered a different number – this time, the number 9. However, Ronaldo reportedly had his heart set on the number 10, and he eventually convinced then-manager Manuel Pellegrini to give him the number.
In conclusion, there are several possible reasons why Ronaldo chooses to wear the number 10 jersey. It is likely a combination of his admiration for Pele, his respect for the tradition of the number 10 position, and his personal connection to the number. Whatever the reason, Ronaldo has made the number 10 his own, and he will always be associated with that iconic jersey number.
