Valencia's No.7 Pride

Antonio Valencia has spoken of his pride at wearing the no.7 shirt at Manchester United. In an interview with Nike to promote the Manchester United Collection leisurewear range, the Ecuadorian winger describes what it is like to follow in some famous footsteps...

How aware were you of the significance of the no.7 shirt when Sir Alex Ferguson allocated it to you at the beginning of the season?
Yes, it means a lot. When I arrived at United I was already aware of exactly what the no.7 shirt stood for here, because we all know that many legendary players have passed through the club and worn that shirt, players who were almost larger than life. So I was pretty clued up about it and it’s a shirt that’s really made a huge impact at this club.

What makes it so special?
You can almost say it’s different to the other shirts worn by the other players. It’s a shirt that needs to be worn by a player who is maybe that little bit different, individuals if you like. That’s how I see it anyway. I’d say it has to be someone special who wears that shirt because it is a little different.

Does it have to belong to a player with a particular style or character?
I think so, definitely. You can see that pretty much in all of the players who have worn the shirt have gone on to become legends at this club. I’m just hoping I can do something similar!

What is it that unites the great no.7s?
You could say it’s the winning mentality, the mentality of a champion, always wanting to win and having that hunger for trophies. Take David Beckham, he wore that shirt for what, eight to 10 seasons and won five or six titles in that time. That’s something you look at and see why the shirt means so much at this club.

Then you have the individuality of someone like Eric Cantona…
Yes, Cantona, Cristiano Ronaldo, Beckham, they really were all one-off players and it’s the word individual that most accurately describes them. They’ve certainly made that shirt even more iconic here.

Does the history of the shirt and the number of legendary players who have worn it bring extra pressure?
To be honest, you could say it does because those guys have all sweated, bled and earned so much respect for the shirt so that the moment comes when you are on the field and you say to yourself: 'Wow, I’ve got the seven on my back and I have to deliver and I have to make it even bigger.'

Which no.7 has had the most impact at Manchester United?
It’s a tough one when you consider the players we are talking about, people like Beckham, Cantona, and a few others. But I think that the player who has made the biggest mark in this shirt would be Cristiano Ronaldo, both for the trophies he won and the goals he scored.

What about George Best?
Of course. Even growing up in Ecuador I was aware of Best’s place amongst the great players – I only wish he had played a few years later and I could have seen more of him.

Did Sir Alex say anything to you about the significance of the shirt before it was announced that you'd be wearing it?
No, not at all. The manager just asked if I would like to wear it and I said yes, of course. It was no problem at all.

When did you first wear the no.7 shirt?
In South Africa, on the pre-season tour.

Do you think you’ve brought your own style of play to the no. 7 shirt?
Not so far, but I would certainly like to leave my mark in the future.