Do soccer players change jerseys at halftime? This question has been asked several times by football fans.
During the first half of a game, players are sweating and their shirts get dirty. But do they come back on the pitch with the same jerseys or with a new one?
This is what you are going to find out in this article. Plus, I’m going to answer other questions you are probably wondering as well related to it.
Let’s get started.
Quick Navigation
- Do soccer players change jerseys at halftime?
- What do soccer players do during halftime?
- Do soccer players reuse the same jerseys in the next game?
- Are players allowed to swap shirts?
- Why do soccer players change jerseys at the end of the game?
- Do footballers still swap shirts nowadays?
- Final Thoughts
Do Soccer Players Change Jerseys At Halftime?
Most soccer players change jerseys at halftime. This is usually due to two main reasons: For the care of the player’s health and the care of the quality of pictures on TV. It’s embarrassing for spectators to watch players running with dirty shirts. It also doesn’t feel comfortable for players to wear a dirty shirt and full of sweat.
If you have played soccer in your city, area, with your friends, colleagues or classmates, you know it doesn’t feel comfortable to wear the same shirt during the second half of the game.
Imagine sweating, taking a break for 15 minutes, then going back to play wearing the same jersey. It feels uncomfortable.
Also, UEFA and FIFA want a clean jersey to display their sponsor brands.
For instance, the Nike brand pays a lot of money for its brand to be seen. So, it wouldn’t favour them if their brand was hidden by specks of dirt.
Hence, players have to come back on the pitch with a new jersey.
What Do Soccer Players Do During Halftime?
Half Time is necessary for soccer players to cool down after the first 45 minutes of the game. During halftime, players can have fruits to recover and legs massage. The manager also uses this opportunity to create new strategies and tactics players will use during the second half.
The manager has the ability to see what worked and what didn’t work in the first half. So, if something didn’t work, he/she has to use halftime to set new tactics.
Also, note that some players might have a shower and use the toilet.
Do Soccer Players Reuse Jerseys In The Next Game?
Do soccer players reuse jerseys during the next game? The answer is no. Each soccer player has at least three kits: One for each half and the third one in reserve. Each professional team receives a new uniform for each game. The used jersey of the previous game is often washed and given to charity shops.
Sometimes, some players would swap shirts with an opponent player or give them to a fan.
Note that the situation has changed a lot during the past 20 years.
In fact, football uniforms used to be washed and sent back to the players to reuse during the next game. This also included the richest clubs.
Today, it also depends on the financial situation of the team. For instance, most teams of the second and third divisions are not allowed to exchange jerseys. This is because the financial situation does not allow them to do that.
But are players even allowed to swap shirts in the first place?
Are Players Allowed To Swap Shirts?
There is no statement claiming that players should not swap their shirts at the end of a soccer/football game. Players are totally allowed to swap shirts with other players from the opposing team without being penalized by FIFA or UEFA.
Why Do Soccer Players Change Jerseys At The End Of The Game?
Some soccer players exchange their jerseys with their opponent as a sort of way to remember a game and to show some respect for their opponent. Whether soccer players admire one another or like their opponent’s performance during the game, swapping shirts has become the norm on top of building up their own collection.
Imagine facing a fantastic player you don’t usually face like Cr7 or Messi. Of course, you would want to have their shirt to remember and tell your kids that you have played against those two G.O.A.Ts.
Exchanging jerseys at the end of a game is also considered a “fair play” campaign and a tradition by FIFA, this is why soccer is not just a game.
Note that players do not only exchange jerseys at the end of the game. They also exchange shirts at halftime. This is due to two reasons:
- They can exchange shirts at halftime if they already planned to swap shirts with another player at the end of the game. In this case, they will swap the second half shirt with a different player.
- Or if the player they want to exchange the shirt with is set to be substitue in the second half. In this case, it’s a good idea to swap shirts at halftime as the other player won’t finish the game.
Do Footballers Still Swap Shirts Nowadays?
During the pandemic, FIFA has decided that no footballers should swipe their shirts after a game. If a player were to do that, they might be suspended and could miss the next games.
But of course, some players do not respect that.
A great example should be during the 2021 European Cup. During the game between France vs Portugal, C.Ronaldo swapped his shirt with K.Benzema at the end of the first health of the game.
Also read, what is the difference between a striker and a winger.
Wrap Up
Soccer players change their jerseys during halftime of the game. Then, they receive a new jersey that they are going to use in the second half.
At the end of the game, in case the player does not swap their shirt with a player from the opposition team, the jersey is washed and given to charity.
I guess you wouldn’t want to use the same shirt full of sweat during the second half, would you?
I hope you have gained value from this article.
If you have any questions, consider leaving them in the comment section below, and I will get back to you as quickly as possible.
