The number 14, Cruyff... and Valverde

The number 14, Cruyff... and Valverde

The shirt number has an interesting story involving the Dutch legend, including the official debut for the current FC Barcelona boss

The number 14 had a special importance to FC Barcelona superstar Johan Cruyff. The Dutch superstar shone wearing various shirts, and using numbers ranging from 1 to 11. At the Camp Nou, he wore the number 9, due to the regulations stating that the starting lineup should use the first eleven numbers. However, Cruyff had another favourite figure that he would use whenever possible.

When he became a coach, the number 14 was given extra importance. If a player was to be given his Barça debut off the bench, he would be handed the shirt. One such player was the club's current coach, Ernesto Valverde.

Others were Òscar Garcia, Miquel Àngel Nadal and Jordi Cruyff, debuting as substitutes in the Blaugrana shirt under a legend of world football.

It was the junior Cruyff who was the first player given the number 14 on a permanent basis, when LaLiga regulations changed to allow personalised numbers.

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