Bruno Fernandes and Pedri: The new No 8 of their clubs

The shirt number of a player often helps to identify the playing style, mentality and attitude of the player. The No 8 of a club is usually the creative playmaker of the team who controls the game from the midfield.

Some of the players have a liking for a certain shirt number which becomes their identity just as Cristiano Ronaldo’s No 7 shirt, Lionel Messi’s No 10 shirt and many others.

Bruno Fernandes is now Manchester United’s new No 8

Bruno Fernandes prefers the No 8 shirt, however, he used to wear the shirt number 18 at Manchester United. Now, as Juan Mata leaves the club, Bruno has now taken up his favourite No 8 shirt.

The Portugal international wore the No 8 shirt during his spells with Sporting CP and Udinese. His favoured number for his country is also No 8.

Read: Bruno Fernandes signs new contract with Manchester United until 2026

Pedri is now Barcelona’s new No 8

Barcelona’s iconic No 8 Andres Iniesta can never be replaced but they have found a player who can come close to the legendary Spaniard. Pedri has now taken on the No 8 shirt at Barcelona as the rightful heir to Iniesta.

Pedri wore the No 16 shirt for the last two seasons. Dani Alves wore the No 8 shirt last season but as the club decided not to renew the contract of the Brazilian, the shirt number was free and was given to Pedri. He will have a huge responsibility on his shoulders now.