World Cup 2022: Why does Gavi wear No.9 for Spain?

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Spain youngster Gavi takes to World cup 2022 with the No.9 shirt – an odd choice for a cultured midfielder

World Cup 2022: Why does Gavi wear No.9 for Spain? Gavi of Spain poses during the official FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 portrait session on November 18, 2022 in Doha, Qatar
(Image credit: Oliver Hardt - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

World Cup 2022 is one of surprises: Gavi wearing the No.9 shirt for Spain is perhaps not one that many of thought of, however. 

When you think of iconic No.9s, you tend to think of Ronaldo, one-time all-time World Cup scorer for Brazil and perhaps the most legendary No.9 of all time. There's Harry Kane, too, of course. Robert Lewandowski wears the shirt for Poland and Erling Haaland would be donning it for Norway, were they at this tournament. 

So to see a midfielder like Gavi wearing it is an odd one. It's not as if he' even being used as a false nine up front by the Spanish, who deployed Cesc Fabregas in that position 10 years ago when they won Euro 2012. Cesc, incidentally, was given the No.10 top for that tournament. 

Why is Gavi wearing the No.9 for Spain at World Cup 2022?

Gavi of Spain poses during the official FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 portrait session on November 18, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

Gavi of Spain poses during the official World Cup 2022 portrait session in Doha, Qatar (Image credit: Alex Caparros - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Gavi doesn't wear the No.9 for his club, by the way. 

The La Masia graduate has had the No.30 shirt for Barcelona ever since his debut for the Blaugrana – and according to reports, he's set to inherit his manager's iconic No.6 shirt next season. Gavi signed a contract extension at Camp Nou in September but the shirt number has been vacant since Riqui Puig defected to MLS and left it free. 

The tradition of Gavi taking the No.9 has come ever since his debut – and that featured another intriguing number choice as Gavi's club-mate Sergi Roberto opted for No.10. That felt a little out-of-place, given that Roberto isn't exactly an attack-minded midfielder and has spent much of his Barça career at right-back. 

Perhaps it's because No.9 looks like No.6 upside down? Gavi is yet to explain, nor is his coach Luis Enrique. 

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.