Facundo Pellistri, who turns 22 today (Wednesday), has explained why the number 28 is so special to him.

The Manchester United winger is the next Red in the hotseat for our Fans’ Q&A series, in conjunction with Melitta, and he answered questions from fans all across the world.

His first question was about why he chose his shirt number, and the Uruguay international stated that when he discovered Cristiano Ronaldo made his senior debut for Sporting in the same one, he knew it was the best decision.

Responding to the question from Ellen R. in Australia, he said: “Well, thanks Ellen. Well because, when I came here to Manchester, I was playing in Penarol and I had the no.10. So the two plus the eight, they sum up to 10. So that’s why I take it. And, later, I realised that number was the one Ronaldo also made his debut in and all that. So, for me, that number is very special.”

Ronaldo wore no.28 when he first broke through in Lisbon, and he wore it again when he made the historic appearance in the pre-season friendly against Sir Alex Ferguson’s United in 2003, shortly before moving to Old Trafford. 

Pellistri wears no.8 or no.11 when representing his country, with his excellent international work assisting Marcelo Bielsa’s side to beat both Argentina and Brazil in World Cup qualifying and rise to second in the South American standings with six games remaining on the road to the 2026 finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Last Saturday, the hardworking wide player came off the bench against Liverpool to earn his eighth Premier League appearance of the season. He also appeared three times in the UEFA Champions League, including a start at Bayern Munich, and played the entire 90-minute Carabao Cup third-round victory over Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.