Swapping of Jersey has been an old time practice in football both in domestic and international leagues. The idea of jersey swaps took place for the first time in the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland as a piece of memorabilia and it has become part of the game
After a match, players exchange pleasantries no matter how heated the match is just to alleviate crowd pressure or let spectators know that they are all gentlemen who have played a sport and not fighting a war
Players swap jersey for different reason and can do anything with the swapped Jersey. While some would collect it, gift it out, frame it or auction it, some will use it to raise funds for a charity or for the club, especially in case of small clubs.
Jersey swapping is a way to show maturity or respect for those you have defeated. It signifies the spirit of friendship, and that it's only a game and should not breed enmity
In 1970 FIFA World Cup, Bobby Moore and Pele swap shirts in a gesture of mutual respect after Brazil defeated England 1-0 and that wasn't expected considering the rivalry game between them
For a player to refuse swapping of jersey, it's going to be interpreted as a hostile attitude or arrogant behaviour by the media or fans of both players.
Now let's come to Cristiano and Lionel Messi, the two best players we've watched playing football in our time.
Considering the rivalry between the two players which is always fuelled by both fans and media, do you ever think they can do swap jerseys, now that their football career is already in a decline and they only have to meet a few more times before they both retire
Can they possibly do Jersey swap?
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