Why do players swap shirts in soccer? Explaining tradition of exchanging sweaty jerseys post-game

David Suggs

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Why do players swap shirts in soccer? Explaining tradition of exchanging sweaty jerseys post-game image

Football is all about respect. And few gestures are as respectful as the jersey swap.

It's not for the faint of heart, admittedly. Exchanging sweat-stained kits isn't the most appealing of moves, at least not for the general viewing public.

But it's a signal of admiration, a way for players to publicly showcase their appreciation for their opposing number in a way that a simple handshake or hug cannot.

Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi, best friends at club level with Paris Saint-Germain, did as much when France beat Morocco in the World Cup semifinals. It was a precious moment, one that perfectly represented the way their friendship has developed over the course of their time in the Parc de Princes.

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But Mbappe and Hakimi are far from the only ones to barter soggy shirts with one another. Because if you're able to witness a classic of a football match, the odds are you've seen players trading their respective jerseys with one another.

Here's why:

Why do players swap shirts in soccer?

The shirt-swap tradition

Swapping shirts is seen as one of the most prominent displays of appreciation in sports. It's a way for athletes to give and get a memento from their athletic endeavors.

It's not an action that is limited to footy, of course. Check out this video of NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and budding talent LaMelo Ball swapping shirts after a hard-fought matchup last December.

It's a tradition that spans decades, with the gesture believed to have been started nearly 100 years ago.

The first shirt swap took place following an international match between France and England. The French nabbed their first-ever victory over the Three Lions and requested a keepsake from said clash.

It's continued on in the years following, with numerous legends gifting their clammy outfits to one another. In 1970, footballing idols Bobby Moore and Pele switched tees after their respective countries — England and Brazil — clashed in the World Cup group stage. 

At its essence, sporting another player's jersey is a reflection of the sort of solidarity competitors have with one another. It symbolizes so much of what is great about sports; that even after the fiery inferno that is a football match, pleasantries can still be exchanged.

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Are players required to swap shirts?

Of course not! Oftentimes, players don't bother swapping jerseys with one another. However, it can often be a sentimental moment for footballers, particularly those playing against their idols, as was the case for young center back Jon Ashton back in the early 2000s.

“We played Manchester United when Micky Adams was manager and it was the day we got relegated from the Premier League,” former Leicester City kit manager Paul McAndrew told The Athletic. “France captain Laurent Blanc played for them and we had John Ashton, a young kid, playing for us.

“After the game, John asked Laurent for his shirt. Blanc is a nice fella and took it off. John said thanks and kept his shirt on. Laurent looked at him as if to say, ‘OK, now you’. John looked all embarrassed and said: ‘What, you want my shirt?’ Blanc replied: ‘Of course!’.

“I like to think that somewhere, Laurent Blanc has a John Ashton shirt hanging in his house.”

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.