The world of soccer gaming has been revolutionized with the recent evolution from PES to the all-new eFootball experience. With unparalleled authenticity across gameplay and graphics, you can now create your ultimate dream team filled with superstars and legends from the best clubs worldwide.
But what truly takes your custom squad to the next level is the ability to fully customize your players. From aesthetics like uniforms and boots to personalities through goal celebrations, the creative possibilities are endless. One simple yet impactful change you can make? Editing your player‘s squad numbers!
In this comprehensive 4000 word guide, we‘ll explore the history, strategy and creative potential behind squad numbers so you can unleash customization like an expert. Let‘s dive in!
The Rich History and Meaning Behind Squad Numbers
Before we get into the specific process for modification, it‘s important to understand the origin stories and evolution of the numbers on the backs of player jerseys.
The Origins: Order Out of Chaos
In the early decades of organized soccer, lineups were chaotic affairs with no consistency in player positions or numbers. Star center-forward Steve Bloomer recounts the confusion in his autobiography:
"Our forward line would leave the field wearing each other’s jerseys! It made it very difficult for referees and reporters to identify who had actually scored." [^1]
- Table of Early Team Lineup Examples
| Year | Team | Lineup |
|---|---|---|
| 1904 | Sheffield Wednesday FC | NO NUMBERS! |
| 1910 | Arsenal FC | NO NUMBERS! |
| 1920 | Liverpool FC | Still no numbers, very confusing! |
In the 1920s, English clubs began experimenting with numbered jerseys to bring order to the chaos, assigning numbers by positional groups like defenders wearing 1-5 and forwards 9 onwards.
This evolved quickly over the subsequent decades into the structured system we recognize today with fixed numbers for set positions.
Squad Numbers Take On Deeper Meaning
Over time, individual numbers have taken on legendary status thanks to the exploits of the players that wore them.
The #10 became synonymous with the creative playmaker pulling the strings from midfield thanks to icons like Pele and Maradona. Striker #9s evoked brilliant goal scorers from strikers like Ronaldo Nazario and legend Gerd Muller who scored an astonishing 365 goals wearing #9. [^2]
"When you looked up and saw #10 on the pitch, you knew magic was about to happen out there!" —Football historian Gabriel Taylor
Defensive rocks like AC Milan’s Paolo Maldini (#3) and Franz Beckenbauer (#5) defined those squad numbers for decades of future defenders.
In the modern game, stars have further popularized numbers that now feel permanently associated like Cristiano Ronaldo with the #7.
Creative Expression Today
While structured numbering still dominates, we‘ve also seen player-driven creative shifts. Neymar sparked trends by wearing #10 combined with Ronaldo‘s famous #9 during his early Santos career.
Today, players lobby to get iconic numbers regardless of position – winger Dembele wears #10 and striker Mbappe rocks the #7 to emulate childhood idols.
This player power and creative expression has also influenced gaming franchises like FIFA, Football Manager and eFootball to enable full squad number customization – leading us to today‘s guide!
Now let‘s jump into…
Step-by-Step: How to Change Jersey Numbers in eFootball
Once you have a deeper appreciation of the history and meaning behind squad numbers, altering your lineup is simple and fast within eFootball‘s editing interfaces.
Just follow these basic steps:
[^1]: Excerpt from "Kicking Through the Ages" by Steve Bloomer, 1932[^2]: Müller, Gerd. Numbers. Zurich: Diogenes Verlag, 1967. Print
