Since we're now 13 days for the much awaited clash between Qatar and Ecuador, let's see how it does as a squad number too.

Although some countries assign #13 to the reserve goalkeeper (such as Spain
and England, among a few others I think), it also usually lies on the back
of the jerseys of loaded forwards. Most famous example surely is Der Bomber Gerd Müller (1970 and 1974), the number's top goalscorer with 14 goals and long time holder of the World Cup's goalscoring record, from 1974, when he surpassed Just Fontaine, to 2006 when Ronaldo overtook him.

Another all time great who wore #13 was Portugal's Eusebio, whose 9 goals
in 1966 went a long way into taking Portugal to the semifinals. It was the Black Panther's only World Cup, unfortunately. Given his very prolific goalscoring record at club level, who knows how much higher he could go
in the WC had Portugal been able to qualify more often back then.

Also on 9 goals we can mention Thomas Müller (2010 to 2018). Had he not gone blank in 2018 he could very well be close to claiming the record himself. And previous to his three World Cups, Germany's #13 belonged to Michael Ballack, semifinalist in both 2002 (because he was suspended for the final due to a yellow card in the semis) and 2006.

There's also Clockwork Orange key member Johan Neeskens, bearer of the Netherlands' #13 standard in 1974 and 1978, finalist on both occasions, scoring the Dutch goal in the former before any German player even touched
the ball. He also had to step up to fill Johan Cruyff's abscence in 1978,
quite a high standard to match.

Uruguay's Sebastian "El Loco" Abreu (2002 and 2010) performed one of the tournament's most iconic moments, in Uruguay's historic win over Ghana in
the 2010 quarterfinals, as his Panenka style shot in the penalty shootout closed the series and sent Uruguay to the semifinals for the first time in
40 years.

Other interesting mentions are Brasil's right backs Nelinho (1978) and
Josimar (1986), with their penchant for scoring long range screamers. The player who wore #13 for most World Cups was Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo
Ochoa, all the way from 2006 to 2018. And #13 was the first number of
Mario Kempes (1974) and Andres Iniesta (2006).

I think that's it, but of course feel free to point out more if you feel
like it. Next to come, #12!


Best regards,

Lléo

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On Monday, November 7, 2022 at 8:09:12 PM UTC-5, Lléo wrote:

Since we're now 13 days for the much awaited clash between Qatar and Ecuador,
let's see how it does as a squad number too.

Der Bomber Gerd Müller
Portugal's Eusebio,
Thomas Müller (2010 to 2018).

That's three WC leading scorers (Muller in 2010) for the humble number 13. I'm curious to find out if numbers 9 and 10 will beat this.

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