After Liverpool FC secured their 20th Premier League title this past weekend with their win over Tottenham Hotspur, Cody Gakpo celebrated his goal by showing off his undershirt that read “I belong to Jesus” - a pretty clear homage to Kaka’s shirt from when he won the Champions League back in 2007. It got us thinking about slogan tees again and how we need these back in the game.
They used to be a pretty regular thing back in the day, players would always wear messages under their kits to show off after they’d score a goal - when all eyes were on them. One of the most famous examples is Mario Balotelli’s ‘Why always me?’ slogan from the 2011/12 season - a response to the media painting him as the bad boy of the Prem for his off-field antics and attitude.
In 2014, though, ahead of the World Cup that year, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) banned any sort of slogans from being worn on undershirts. It was put in play to keep the game neutral from any divisive ideas and to prevent controversy that would take attention away from the game itself. It was also to protect kit sponsor’s investments at highly photographed moments.
Even though we understand the reasons, we can’t help but reminisce on those cold moments with heartwarming messages. Think Iniesta’s winner at the 2010 World Cup with his message for his late teammate, Ian Wright commemorating Arsenal’s goalscoring record and Didier Drogba showing support for the late Nelson Mandela. Need more moments like this again.
Featured image via Getty©
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