Ahead of the retirement of Valentino Rossi’s iconic 46 from MotoGP™, we take a look at some other sporting numbers that became symbols
This weekend at the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley, the #46 will be retired from the world of MotoGP™. This is to honour Valentino Rossi, who is a nine-time World Champion, MotoGP™ Legend and known the world over for some of the scarcely believable moments he produced on and off track across 26 seasons of Grand Prix racing. The honour is being bestowed upon the Italian at Mugello, and is set to see a huge turnout. Ahead of the momentous event, we’ve taken the liberty of looking across the sporting world to recognise other athletes whose numbers have become as famous as their wearer.
The Portuguese and Manchester United superstar is renowned for his on field exploits and goal-scoring ability, as many consider him to be among the greatest players to have ever graced the game of football. Ronaldo has scored over 800 career goals, won six Ballon d’Ors, five Champions Leagues, league titles and cups from Spain, England and Italy, numerous more personal accolades and the 2016 European Championship. In that time, he has made the #7 his own at some of the world’s biggest football clubs, and developed his widely recognized CR7 brand from the number.
With six NBA Championship rings, Michael Jordan is a name known the world over thanks to his exploits with the Chicago Bulls during the 1990s. After initially retiring in 1993 after leading the Bulls to a three-peat of Championships, the #23 was retired in honour of him. However, in 1994, he made a shock return to the game, wearing the #45 before switching back to the number that he has become synonymous with and leading the Bulls to another three in a row.
Famously the 199th pick from the 2000 NFL Draft,…