Dybala and Matic Both Unveiled as Roma's New Number 21
Roma today unveiled new signing Paolo Dybala as their new number 21, the same number that was given to fellow new recruit Nemanja Matic just a few weeks ago.
Dybala and Matic Both Unveiled With Number 21 Shirt
Jose Mourinho signed Matic for a third time at a third different club when he brought the Serbian to Roma in early July, with the midfielder opting for the vacant number 21 shirt which he had also worn at Benfica and Manchester United. It therefore came as a surprise to see Paolo Dybala holding the same jersey aloft at his unveiling today.
21 is Dybala's shirt number at international level and he took it up on his arrival at Juve, before switching to the iconic 10 shirt when previous occupant Paul Pogba left the club. Roma's last number 10 was of course club legend Francesco Totti, and although the Giallorossi did not officially retire the number in his honour, it would come with an enormous weight of expectation and obligatory comparisons to il Gladiatore and has not been worn since his retirement.
Dybala's shirt number progression since he moved to Serie A.
It is reported that Totti himself gave Dybala his blessing to become Roma's new number 10, but instead of taking on that burden, Dybala chose 21 as his squad number. This was done with the permission of Matic of course, who was able to pick the classic "first team" number 8 shirt as a replacement.
A gesture of respect and recognition for his new teammate, something we've seen before from both Juan Cuadrado and Edinson Cavani who both gave their number 7 to Cristiano Ronaldo when he pitched up at their clubs. Although poor Anthony Martial didn't have too much say in forfeiting his number 9 to Zlatan Ibrahimovic when the Swede rocked up at Old Trafford.
This case is slightly unusual in the fact that the shirt belonged to Matic for only a few weeks before he gave it up, while Dybala has now been involved in squad number reshuffles at two clubs this summer.
Can you think of any other instances of a club giving out the same squad number to different players in the same transfer window? Let us know in the comments.
Vintage Football Shirts
from Cult Kits
2007/08 Real Madrid Guti Haz #14 C/L Third Shirt (L) Adidas
2015/16 AC Milan Anthem Jacket (M) Adidas
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2022/23 PSG *BNWT* Authentic Home Shirt (M) Nike
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2007/08 France Henry #12 Home Shirt (L) Adidas
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Adidas 26-27 Elite Teams Originals Tees Leaked/Released
Adidas is expanding its casual lifestyle offerings for the 2026-2027 season with a special "Originals Tee" collection dedicated to the brand's elite clubs.
The new Adidas 26-27 elite teams Originals tees share a unified, nostalgic graphic design across all the featured clubs. The front of each shirt displays a large, retro-styled illustration of a classic black-and-white football breaking through a goal net, accompanied by the vintage, lower-case Adidas text at the top.
To personalize the items for each specific fanbase, the template incorporates the respective club's crest on the lower-left side of the football graphic, alongside a colored Adidas Trefoil logo on the right. The collection utilizes various base colors, including red, white, light grey, and dark charcoal, depending on the team's palette.
Currently, the Bayern Munich edition of the tee is already officially available for purchase. The versions for the rest of the elite clubs, including Manchester United and Liverpool, are expected to be launched very soon.
No More Nike - Adidas Croatia 2026-27 Anthem Jackets Leaked
As the long-standing era with Nike officially comes to a close, Adidas is bringing some classic and stylish designs to the Croatian national team for the 2026-2027 season.
The new Adidas Croatia 26-27 home anthem jacket features a very clean and traditional aesthetic. It boasts a bright red base, complemented by crisp white Three Stripes running down the sleeves.
The new Adidas Croatia 26-27 away anthem jackets feature the Trefoil logo. There are two distinct colorways leaked for the away jackets:
- Option 1: A deep blue base contrasted by vibrant red Three Stripes on the shoulders and sleeves, finished with a crisp white Trefoil logo.
- Option 2: A red base with white Three Stripes, distinguished by contrasting dark navy blue detailing on the ribbed collar and cuffs, alongside a white Trefoil logo.
Exclusive: Manchester United 26-27 Third Kit Pays Homage to Salford Lads Club
The Manchester United 2026-2027 third kit is is a homage to the local Salford area, specifically drawing inspiration from the iconic Salford Lads Club.
The kit is inspired by the two Lancashire roses prominently featured on the club's entrance signage, a visual made famous by its inclusion in The Smiths' 1986 album, The Queen is Dead. It incorporates hand-drawn roses and features a unique back neck sign-off, celebrating both the local fan base and the youth community deeply associated with the historic Salford landmark.
