Ultimate 1-50: the male footballers best associated with each squad number

Who is football’s most legendary No 9? Has there ever been a legendary No 28? And why exactly does Mario Balotelli love wearing No 45 so much? Here’s our list and the stories behind it

The relationship between players and numbers is a long-established one filled with memories and fascinating as well as fun stories behind them. With that in mind, the Guardian has had a go at deciding which male player is best associated with each squad number, from 1-50. Various factors were taken into consideration, including how long a player wore/has worn that number, what they achieved/have achieved in it, why they decided to wear it in the first place and, in some cases, how distinctly it has become associated with them in death.