Explained: Why Barcola wears the number 29 jersey at PSG?

Paris Saint Germain’s newest discovery Bradley Barcola is setting the stage on fire with his stunning campaign netting 14 goals and providing 6 assists across all competitions so far in the 2024/25 campaign. The 22-year-old winger is thriving under the guidance of Luis Enrique in the French capital.

He is known for his explosive style of play, electrifying speed, dribbling, and clinical finishing with a tremendous work rate. Barcola has swiftly established himself on the left wing at PSG and enjoying his meteoritic rise with Parisians.

The French International is being widely vowed as the next heir of former PSG and French star Kylian Mbappe following his footsteps at Parc De Princess. Interestingly, the former Lyon talent is creating history in PSG colours by wearing the No.29 shirt for the Ligue 1 champions similar to Mbappe during his initial seasons at the club.

Barcola’s story of his jersey number at PSG

However, there’s a special & intriguing backstory behind his jersey number and the reason why he chose No.29, is amusing, the promising attacker unveiled its inspiration has been drawn from the video game EA’s popular game series FIFA’s protagonist and fiction character Alex Hunter, who appeared ‘The Journey’ — a story mode in the game from FIFA 17 to FIFA 19.

“When I was young, I used to play FIFA,” Bradley Barcola revealed, “In story mode with Alex Hunter, that number became symbolic for me. I said, ‘ When I turn pro, it’ll be number 29. Now I’m here and I’ll never let it go.”