Kai Havertz’s Love for Number 29
Kai Havertz is a German professional footballer who currently plays as a forward for Chelsea in the English Premier League. The 24-year-old has been making waves in the football world since his breakthrough at Bayer Leverkusen, where he has worn the number 29 shirt. This number is not a popular choice among attacking players who usually prefer numbers such as seven, nine, ten, and eleven. However, Havertz has stuck with his favorite number throughout his career and even convinced Fikayo Tomori to switch shirt numbers when he signed for Chelsea in 2020.
The Origin of Number 29
Havertz’s love for the number 29 dates back to his childhood when he used to play video games with his brother Jan. They would create themselves in the game and always put number 29 on their shirts. When Havertz joined Bayer Leverkusen, he asked which numbers were available and chose 29 because of his brother. He told The Athletic in 2021, “Sometimes it’s lucky for me, sometimes not, but I like the number, and now I think everybody knows me for it.”
Tomori’s Sacrifice
When Havertz signed for Chelsea in 2020, he was so insistent on continuing with the number 29 that Fikayo Tomori had to switch shirt numbers. Tomori had been wearing the number 29 shirt, but he gave it up for Havertz. The English defender switched to number 14 to accommodate Havertz’s request. Havertz thanked Tomori for his sacrifice and said, “I’m very grateful to him because I know he had the number before, and he gave it to me, so I’m very thankful.”
Havertz’s Response to Fans
Last summer, Havertz participated in a Twitter Q&A session with fans and was asked about the significance of the number 29 to him. He replied, “Me and my brother used to use 29 when we created ourselves on FIFA05.” This response shows that the number has sentimental value to Havertz and is not just a random choice.
The Future of Number 29
Havertz’s imminent move to Arsenal has sparked speculation about whether he will continue to wear the number 29 shirt. However, it is unlikely that he will switch to a different number as he has been wearing 29 since his breakthrough at Bayer Leverkusen. The number has become synonymous with his name, and he has even convinced a teammate to give up the number for him. Therefore, it is safe to say that Havertz will continue to wear the number 29 shirt at Arsenal.
Conclusion
Kai Havertz’s love for the number 29 is a testament to the sentimental value that numbers can hold for footballers. Despite the number being an uncommon choice among attacking players, Havertz has stuck with it throughout his career and even convinced a teammate to give up the number for him. The number holds special significance for Havertz, as it reminds him of his childhood and the video games he used to play with his brother. As he moves to Arsenal, it is likely that he will continue to wear the number 29 shirt, which has become synonymous with his name.