Why Balotelli Did Not Receive 'His' Shirt Number 45 In Nice
Sep 11, 2016, by Chris
Update: Former Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli today made his first match for Nice against Olympique Marseille wearing the shirt with number 9 after he previously wore shirts with number 45, at least in club football.
Balotelli Debuts Number 9 Nice Kit
Balotelli's kit ahead of the match.
Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has joined French Ligue 1 club OGC Nice on the last day of the transfer window. However, while is it known which number Balotelli will receive, it's already certain that he will lose his signature shirt number 45 (via footpack.fr).
Ligue 1 Shirt Regulations Forbid Numbers Above 40
Mario Balotelli x OGC Nice Kits - the shirt number 9 is not assigned to a Nice player yet.
Mario Balotelli will not be allowed to wear a shirt with number 45 because of LFP's rule number 670.
"Every Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 club must establish the number assignment list on Isyfoot 72 hours before the start of the competition. This list can not exceed 30 names, the number 30 is the last in the list may be supplemented and updated with every movement in the club. If a club justifies employ over 30 professional players under contract, the board may grant an exception to the preceding paragraph. Whimsical dials are prohibited (example: 45 - 82).
The numbers 1, 16 and 30 are exclusively and necessarily reserved for goalkeepers. Ultimately, the number 40 can be assigned. All teams must have a jersey with number 33 that is not assigned to a player and reserved for breaking replacements. A directory is established early in the season and available to referees and delegates by the LFP."
Are you for or against high numbers? Let us know in the comments below.
India 26-27 Home, Away & Third Kits Released
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and technical sponsor Nivia Sports have officially launched the new India 26-27 home, away, and third kits. The new collection will be worn in the high-profile series of international friendlies against Panama, Brazil, and Uruguay.
The India 26-27 home shirt features a vibrant light blue base combined with bright orange accents on the side panels, V-neck collar, and sleeve cuffs. Subtly woven into the fabric is a peacock feather jacquard pattern, complemented by patterned ethnic-inspired taping running down the shoulders and golden piping framing the front. In line with the rest of the collection, the AIFF crest is centrally aligned on the chest, with the Nivia logo situated just below.
Completing the range, the away jersey arrives in dark blue with clean white contrast piping along the collar, cuffs, and shoulder inserts for a classic aesthetic. The third kit switches to an energetic saffron orange look accented by rich blue side panels and sleeve trim, mirroring the shoulder pattern details from the primary strip.
Adidas Argentina Messi Farewell Player & Keeper Kit Leaked - Official Pictures
We can leak official images of the Adidas Argentina commemorative collection celebrating Lionel Messi ahead of his final international appearance for the Albiceleste. The centerpiece of the capsule is the bespoke home shirt, rounded out by a dark green goalkeeper edition and a radiant light blue pre-match shirt, crafted as a fitting tribute ahead of Messi's emotional farewell against Benin on October 6, 2026.
Inter Miami 2026-2027 Home Kit Leaked - Return of Long-Sleeve Kits in MLS
We can leak images of the Adidas Inter Miami 2026-2027 home kit in the authentic long-sleeve version. It is remarkable because Adidas has not made long-sleeve MLS kits available for almost a decade. While the images show a counterfeit, they match the information about a massive return of Adidas long-sleeve kits. More to follow very soon.
Jordan PSG 26-27 Fourth Kit Leaked - Launch Mockups
Following the leak of the Jordan Paris Saint-Germain 26-27 fourth shirt, our partner What The Kit has created a stylish series of launch mockups depicting how the kit will look on the club's star players. Set to debut in early 2027 as part of Jordan's upcoming "Wings 2.0" collection themed "Greatness from Greater Paris", the design revives the iconic wing motif first introduced during the 24-25 campaign. The new iteration switches to a predominantly white and light grey base adorned with subtle urban graffiti graphics, framed by contrasting black Jordan wings that cascade down the shoulders and sleeves, particularly standing out in the long-sleeve version.
Udinese 26-27 Third Kit Released - 130th Anniversary Design by Giuseppe Buccinnà
Udinese Calcio and technical partner Macron have officially launched the club's new third kit for the 26-27 season. Unveiled during Milan Fashion Week in partnership with the Camera Moda Fashion Trust, the bespoke shirt was created in collaboration with Italian fashion designer Giuseppe Buccinnà and serves as the centerpiece of a capsule collection celebrating the Friulian club's 130th anniversary.
The Macron Udinese 26-27 third shirt is built around an off-white cream base complemented by bold black curved side panels and piping that evoke mid-2000s kit silhouettes. Tone-on-tone geometric star textures are woven into the fabric structure, while subtle gold accents trim the sleeve edges. Most distinctively, Udinese's standard crest is replaced on the left chest with a commemorative star emblem dedicated to the club's founding in 1896.
Finishing details include Buccinnà's signature placed right above the embroidered Macron Hero on the chest, along with black back-neck detailing that displays "Designed in Bologna" and the iconic Friulian rallying cry "FUARCE UDIN" in gold lettering. The new third uniform is available immediately through official Udinese and Macron stores.
Jürgen Klopp Wears Unreleased Adidas Predator Touch Remake Boots in First Germany Training
Germany head coach Jürgen Klopp was spotted during national team training lacing up the unreleased 2026 remake of the legendary 1996 Adidas Predator Touch football boots. Providing an early on-pitch showcase ahead of the boot's official drop in October/November 2026, Klopp wore the iconic classic black, white, and red design, highlighted by its distinct fold-over tongue with retro white Adidas branding, signature side stripes, and a modernised soleplate. Thanks to Boots Club for the images.
