Five legends who wore the number 13 shirt
In soccer, it is a common custom to see the best players of a team wearing the numbers assigned to their specific positions. Kit numbers like 7 and 10, which are reserved for attackers, are usually worn by the best players on the team.
On the contrary, numbers from 1 to 4 are usually reserved for defensive positions.
But, it seems a little weird when you hear that legendary players like Johan Cruyff and Thierry Henry preferring other numbers than the ones between 7 and 11 (Both wore number 14 shirts)
However, one number is feared to be greatly unlucky, not only in football, but around the globe.
You guessed right! Number 13 has always been thought to bring bad luck to those who use it. To top it all, the history of the number, since ancient times, does add concerns about it being ill-fated.
This certainly makes people superstitious about number 13. The belief of number 13 being unlucky is equally staunch in football. Football clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool have already retired the number from their ranks.
However, some players don't think on the same lines as others. They see it fit to wear a number 13 shirt, even though it is considered to be inauspicious. Let's have a look at them.
#5: Michael Ballack
The whole football world is familiar with the German midfielder's love for the unlucky number 13 shirt. The retired midfielder wore it during his entire career with Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Germany.
It is only at Kaiserslautern that the German didn't wear it.
Michael Ballack has also stated that it was the former Leverkusen and German legend Rudi Voller, who convinced him to wear the number 13 for the club.
Voller himself wore it at Leverkusen and deemed Ballack as the perfect successor to wear his shirt.
While people may argue that 13 brings bad luck, Ballack has been a decorated player in his career, winning multiple trophies with the number on his back.
Also, Ballack's lucky number is 4, a mere addition of 1 and 3. Talk about being unlucky now!