Clubs Honor Deceased Players by Retiring Their Jersey Numbers

In football, retiring a player’s shirt number is a tribute to their lasting impact and a way to honor their memory. Several clubs worldwide have taken this step for legendary or tragically departed players.

Notable Examples of Shirt Number Retirements

Jude Bellingham (Birmingham City – No22)

Jude Bellingham’s No22 was retired by Birmingham City in July 2020, shortly after his final game for the club before transferring to Borussia Dortmund. Bellingham has since become a star at Real Madrid, earning La Liga’s Player of the Season award.

Jude Bellingham's No22 jersey was retired when he left Birmingham City as a teenager

Diego Maradona (Napoli – No10)

The legendary Diego Maradona made history with Napoli, leading them to two Serie A titles. The club retired his No10 jersey in 2000 as a tribute to his remarkable career with the team. Napoli’s stadium was renamed in his honor in 2020.

In 2000 Napoli officially retired the No10 shirt in honour of Diego Maradona

Bobby Moore (West Ham – No6)

Bobby Moore, regarded as England’s greatest defender, had his No6 shirt retired by West Ham in 2008, the 50th anniversary of his debut. Moore also captained England to its only World Cup victory and is honored with a statue outside the stadium.

Bobby Moore (L), widely considered England's best defender

Marc-Vivien Foe (Manchester City – No23)

The Cameroon international Marc-Vivien Foe tragically died in 2003 during a match with his national team. Manchester City retired his No23 jersey as a tribute to his memory.

Manchester City retired Marc-Vivien Foe's No23 jersey after his death in 2003

Emiliano Sala (Nantes – No9)

Following the death of Emiliano Sala in a 2019 plane crash, Nantes retired his No9 jersey. During his time at Nantes, Sala scored 48 goals in 133 appearances.

Emiliano Sala's former club Nantes retired his No9 jersey after his death

George Baldock (Panathinaikos – No32)

Greek club Panathinaikos retired George Baldock’s No32 shirt after his death in 2022. Baldock drowned in his swimming pool, with initial investigations ruling out foul play.

Peter Whittingham (Cardiff – No7)

Cardiff City retired Peter Whittingham’s No7 shirt after he suffered a fatal head injury in 2020. Whittingham spent a decade at Cardiff, scoring 98 goals in 459 appearances.

Cardiff retired the No 7 shirt for Peter Whittingham

Ray Jones (QPR – No31)

Queens Park Rangers retired Ray Jones’s No31 shirt after he died in a car accident in 2007, aged 18. The club also postponed their planned match and dedicated proceeds to charity in his memory.