Why Do Soccer Teams Exchange Jerseys?

For anyone who is not a regular fan of soccer, it must come as an odd sight when, after a match, players suddenly take off their sweaty, dirty jerseys and exchange them with the player from the opposing team nearest them. Even more regular fans who have seen this tradition many times are probably curious about its origins.

FIFA (the Federation of International Football Associations) has stated in the past that it is a violation to exchange shirts on the field following a match, but this rule is loosely enforced at best. Even women in professional leagues are now exchanging jerseys. The tradition stems from a desire to possess a piece of history. Players are in the prime of their sporting life, and the jerseys serve as mementos. Second, the jersey exchange is a way of showing respect and sportsmanship to opposing players. It is the equivalent of saying that a player's technique, fortitude or hustle were a pleasure to witness.

The first confirmed sighting of players exchanging soccer jerseys was in 1931. On May 14, a friendly game was played between archrivals England and France. England was considered a soccer powerhouse at this time. The match took place in France at the Stade Olympique in the town of Colombes. France went on a scoring frenzy, surprising the English with five goals, no small achievement for the French. To commemorate this event, the French team asked for all of the English jerseys in exchange for their own. Jersey swapping was born.

One particular event is considered to be the most famous of all jersey exchanges. In 1970, Mexico was hosting North America's first-ever FIFA World Cup. Some great games took place in group play, but probably the class of all matches was in Group 3, where reigning world-champion England met two-time former world-champion Brazil. This match is still thought by many to be one of the best ever played in World Cup history, as both teams were loaded with talent. Among the most notable players were Pele for Brazil and Bobby Moore for the English. This match was an entertaining, end-to-end affair, with Brazil finally prevailing, 1-0. After the match, Bobby Moore and Pele met at midfield smiling broadly and grinning. Suddenly, after exchanging a few words, they took off and exchanged their jerseys, embracing afterward.

Sometimes jersey exchanging is done not after a special victory or for purposes of admiration, but because it is necessary to quell the masses. Pele, who after the 1970 World Cup eventually played with the New York Cosmos of the now-defunct NASL, was so famous that he often showed up to matches with 20 to 30 extra jerseys. Not only did every player of the opposition request a jersey, but passionate fans also demanded them.

Most of the time, players simply exchange jerseys with the opposing player who either shares their same number or is closest to them. But players sometimes actually seek out other players if they are playing against an opponent whom they have spent years following or idolizing. Gregg Berhalter, an American who (as of 2009) plays for 1860 Munich in the second German division, is known to suddenly appear near the player on the opposing team he most idolizes as the referee blows the whistle to end the game.