Why does João Neves wear No. 87 for PSG?
PSG and Portugal star Neves has become closely associated with an unconventional shirt number throughout his rapid rise.
Many soccer stars are synonymous with a particular jersey number. Countless players, not just Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, are associated with Nos. 7 and 10, although you would have struggled to name one who had 87 on his back until João Neves came along.
Unlike in the NFL or NBA, very few top soccer players have historically worn high jersey numbers, which makes the diminutive Portuguese midfielder stand out even more.
The reason João Neves wears No. 87
While some players have selected “bizarre” numbers for a specific reason, whether as a good-luck charm, their birth year, or a number with hidden personal meaning, that isn’t the case for Neves.
When starting out with Benfica, the 21-year-old was presented with limited options by the Lisbon club when it came to shirt numbers. The story goes that 87 was the one he liked most, and it became the number he wore as he broke into the first team.
The nothing number that became a lucky charm
Given how his career has blossomed, Neves has decided to stick with it, so you could argue it has become a lucky charm over the years.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, as the old saying goes.
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