2 days ago
5
Gianluigi Donnarumma will don his preferred shirt number at Manchester City after being prevented from doing so at Paris Saint-Germain.
The Italian shot-stopper, 26, completed a switch from the Parisians on deadline day, penning a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium. Donnarumma became Pep Guardiola's seventh summer acquisition and second goalkeeper addition.
After his July return, former academy graduate James Trafford was allocated the No. 1 shirt. This means Donnarumma will sport the No. 99 jersey for City, a number that's never been worn before by an established Premier League star. But it suits Donnarumma perfectly, as the number represents his favored choice.
He donned 99 as a youngster progressing through AC Milan's youth system due to it marking his birth year, with the number becoming somewhat of his signature as he emerged as one of Italy's premier goalkeepers.
However, following his free transfer to PSG in 2021, Donnarumma couldn't retain his distinctive digits owing to an unusual Ligue 1 regulation.
The French top division traditionally mandated all players wear numbers between 1 and 30, with 1, 16, and 30 exclusively reserved for goalkeepers.
Rule #670 of the LFP stated: "Every Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 club must establish the number assignment list on Isyfoot 72 hours before the start of the competition.
"The numbers 1, 16 and 30 are exclusively and necessarily reserved for goalkeepers. Ultimately, the number 40 can be assigned. All teams must have a jersey with number 33 that is not assigned to a player and reserved for breaking replacements. A directory is established early in the season and available to referees and delegates by the LFP."
This meant Donnarumma was forced to don the No. 1 shirt for Ligue 1 matches, although UEFA's differing regulations permitted PSG to register him wearing his preferred 99 during Champions League fixtures.
The identical regulation stopped Mario Balotelli from sporting his beloved No. 45 jersey at both Nice and Marseille, resulting in him wearing No. 9 instead.
During his debut French campaign in 2021/22, Donnarumma ultimately received a special exemption allowing him to wear No. 50.
Lionel Messi, meanwhile, was permitted to sport a number typically worn by a goalkeeper when he selected No. 30.
However, everything shifted before the 2022/23 season, with the league providing players with greater flexibility regarding their shirt number selection.
Since that campaign, Ligue 1 players have been permitted to choose any number from two to 99, with No. 1 remaining exclusively reserved for goalkeepers.
Considering the Premier League's lenient stance on numbers, Donnarumma won't face such complications in the UK.
City will hope the goalkeeper's favored jersey will boost his confidence between the sticks ahead of the Manchester Derby following the international break, where he could make his club debut.
English (US) ·