Reece James Asking for Cristiano Ronaldo’s Jersey

Can’t blame Reece James for asking for Cristiano Ronaldo’s jersey. The protocol, if there is one, I’m not sure about. Can you ask for someone’s jersey before the game starts in the tunnel? Or maybe at half-time? Credit to Ronaldo for saying yes to James even though they’re battling it out during a game.

Above image credit goes to SBComps.

For Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, as they wind down their football careers, players are going to want their jerseys, socks, shorts, shin guards and shoes. Both players are surely going to stop playing in the next two or three years, and the desire for their jerseys is only going to escalate as each of their retirements from the game as two of the best to ever play draws near.

Not just one minute of the game this interaction took place. Was it near the end of the game? What was the score at that point? The game of course ended in a draw.

Update from SportsBible: “But fans also spotted what James did in the 76th minute. The England defender was seen with his hand covering his mouth while in conversation with Ronaldo.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner then appeared to tell James, “Yeah, no problem” – and it was almost universally agreed that the exchange was definitely about Ronaldo’s shirt.”

So at that point in the game, the 76th minute, the score was 1-1. Ronaldo had just scored ten minutes ago. Plenty of the game left. I guess James just thought he had to ask at that moment to ensure he’d get Cristiano Ronaldo’s jersey.

The Half-Time Shirt Swap in Soccer