Often hailed as ‘the beautiful game’, football represents the best in the world of sports and some traditions of this game will make your heart warm. The jersey exchange tradition is one such tradition that is seen regularly and often becomes the topic of conversation amongst fans.

How did it start?

The first recorded jersey swap took place in a France vs England match back in 1931. France and England had a rivalry that is historic and not just confined to football. The French were underdogs in that game and when they won, they were so euphoric that they wanted a memento and asked the English players for their shirts. The Englishmen agreed and thus began one of the game’s most cherished traditions.

What does it mean?

When it comes to jersey exchange, the tradition is quite sacred. Football shirts are intimate. They bear the player’s name and number. They bear the badge of the team and essentially, they are memorabilia of that very version of that particular player. When two players swap jerseys, it shows their mutual respect and recognition for each other.

This is why you will notice that players usually swap jerseys with their comparable rivals from the other team; players they recognise as on the same level as themselves. Unless they are asked by another player beforehand for their jersey.

Players as fans

This should not come as a shock, but football players are the biggest fans of the game. Many…