Symbols, heritage and more... What do the Monégasques' numbers mean? | OneFootball

While AS Monaco has just registered the arrival of Lukáš Hradecký, its fourth recruit of the summer, ahead of the reception of Inter Milan at the Stade Louis-II, here are the full numbers of the Rouge et Blanc squad.

A new season means new squad numbers. As the entire Monaco squad was presented to the more than 13,000 supporters present at the Stade Louis-II this Friday ahead of the narrow defeat against l’Inter Milan (1-2), a new face appeared, to everyone’s surprise! It was that of Lukáš Hradecký, who has signed a two-year contract in the Principality. It was also an opportunity to take stock of the updated list of all the numbers in the Monaco squad.

Hradecký’s Choice of Continuity

Let’s start with the latest arrival at the foot of the Rock! Arriving from Bayer Leverkusen and starting against the Nerazzurri, the Finnish international goalkeeper has chosen to keep the number he’s worn for 19 years. From his professional debut at Esbjerg fB to his first minutes in Rouge et Blanc, he has always played with the number 1 on his back, a number left vacant following Radoslaw Majecki’s loan.

An unprecedented change for Dier

While some players opt for a favorite number, Eric Dier has opted for a classic for the back of his jersey. While he has indeed decided to wear the number 3, it still marks the end of an era for the English defender! Since the 2013-2014 season, the Cheltenham native has always worn the number 15.

A very special number 8

He has played across a range of numbers with global renown. While he wore the number 6 for a long time at Manchester United, before wearing the legendary number 10 at Juventus, succeeding Michel Platini, Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Del Piero, Paul Pogba chose the 8 on the back of his Diagonale. It’s a number which is also part of the Club’s history, having formerly been worn by Ludovic Giuly and Youri Djorkaeff or more recently João Moutinho or Aurélien Tchouameni.

My first Barça shirt was number 31, which is also my birthday. It's a special number for me. Debuting with that number means a lot to me.

A “special” number for Fati, Brunner succeeds Balo’

As for another new signing, Ansu Fati has decided to wear an unusual number, but one that has a particular symbolism for him. The new Monegasque player has turned to number 31, which he wore on his back when he played his first minutes with FC Barcelona on August 31, 2019, and whose significance is found in his birthday (he was born on October 31, 2002). Again in the attacking sector, Paris Brunner has inherited number 29, left free by Folarin Balogun after the 2023-2024 season.

A new look for three Monégasques

Let’s continue in the Monegasque attack, where George Ilenikhena chose to give up 21 to play in the number 19. It’s a change of ten which also is the same for two players from the Academy, starting with Lucas Michal, who took over from the first from his attacking partner. The second person is none other than’Aladji Bamba who will play in 23, having had his first minutes as a pro during the first match of preseason against Cercle.

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