The 5 Big Clubs With ‘Cursed’ Jersey Numbers As Mason Mount Takes Number 7 at Man United

From a logical standpoint, it may seem implausible for a player's performance to be influenced by their shirt number on the pitch.

However, intriguingly, there have been several instances where a player's fortunes took a turn for the better or worse after donning a specific number on their back.

It's worth emphasizing that the notion of a curse associated with a particular shirt number is merely a superstition and lacks any factual basis.

The performance and achievements of a football player depend on numerous factors such as skill, dedication, teamwork, and overall dynamics rather than the number displayed on their shirt.

As Mason Mount takes up the iconic No.7 shirt at Manchester United, Sports Brief delves into the intriguing phenomenon of 'cursed' jerseys, focusing on five prominent European clubs that have encountered this peculiar occurrence:

Chelsea - No.9

Chelsea appears to have had a curious association with the number 9 shirt, with several players encountering difficulties while donning it, according to Sportskeeda.

Notable examples include Fernando Torres, who struggled after joining Chelsea from Liverpool in 2011.

The list of players facing challenges with the number 9 jersey at Chelsea extends to Radamel Falcao, Gonzalo Higuain, Alvaro Morata, Hernan Crespo, and Tammy Abraham.

More recently, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Romelu Lukaku experienced a similar fate, prompting discussions of a potential curse surrounding the shirt.

Barcelona - No. 7

FC Barcelona has a rich history with numerous iconic jersey numbers, but one number stands out as an exception: No. 7.

Previously worn by legends like Luis Figo and Pep Guardiola, the esteemed No. 7 jersey carried a legacy that matched its prestige until David Villa's departure.

After Villa left, every player who took on the number found it challenging to live up to the immense expectations.

However, Ousmane Dembele seems to be rewriting the narrative, contributing to 12 goals during Barcelona's victorious La Liga campaign, per Transfermarkt.

Manchester United - No.7

Manchester United has witnessed several players who failed to win over the fans while wearing the prestigious number 7 shirt at Old Trafford.

Antonio Valencia, Alexis Sanchez, Memphis Depay, and Angel Di Maria are among the players who struggled to make their mark.

Since Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from Old Trafford in 2009, the number 7 jersey remained unclaimed for a significant period.

Legends like Eric Cantona, George Best and David Beckham have graced this iconic shirt at Manchester United. Edinson Cavani seemed like a suitable heir when he joined the club a couple of seasons ago.

Ronaldo returned to the club for a second spell, retaking ownership of No.7, but had a torrid time which ended acrimoniously. Currently, ex-Chelsea star Mason Mount will seek to banish the curse on the iconic number as he will don the No.7 for the 2023-24 season.

AC Milan - No.9

At present, it seems that the curse of jersey numbers is revolving around two specific digits: No.7 and No.9. Many have wondered about the mystique surrounding the number nine.

Despite the efforts of players like Krzysztof Piatek, Fernando Torres, and Andre Silva, they couldn't replicate the success of the past. Since Filippo Inzaghi's departure, nine different players and counting have donned the number 9 shirt at Milan, collectively scoring only 29 goals.

Currently, the responsibility of revitalizing the image and prestige of this once-revered jersey number falls on the shoulders of Olivier Giroud. The French striker, wearing the number 9 shirt at Milan, seems to be gradually redeeming its reputation and restoring its former glory.

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Arsenal - No.9

The number nine shirt at Arsenal has been plagued by a lack of success since Davor Suker joined the club in 1998.

Despite the disappointing performances of players like Julio Baptista, Eduardo, and Alexandre Lacazette, there have been a few exceptions, such as Lukas Podolski and Alexander Lacazatte, who had relatively better fortunes wearing the supposedly cursed shirt.

In the present, Gabriel Jesus is determinedly working to change the narrative, impressing with 19 goal contributions in 33 matches during his debut season with the Gunners. The Brazilian striker aims to break the curse and restore the glory of Arsenal's number nine.