Why Do Soccer Players Swap Shirts? The Tradition Started With a Loss

The sweatiest souvenir in sports has a surprisingly emotional origin.

<p>The final whistle blows, and players trade jerseys. It's one of soccer's most familiar rituals — and by popular account it began with defeat, not victory.</p>

<p>The story goes that players on a team celebrating a landmark first win over a great rival asked their opponents for shirts as keepsakes of the occasion.</p>

<p>The gesture spread as a mark of respect: proof that for 90 minutes you stood against the best, whatever the score.</p>

<p>Collections of swapped shirts are now treasured like medals. Somewhere in every retired player's home hangs someone else's sweat-soaked jersey.</p>