After a disappointing 2025/26 season that saw them finish fifth in the Premier League, Liverpool have set out to overhaul their squad this summer.
Once Ibrahima Konate left to join Real Madrid, bolstering the centre back position was an urgent requirement, and the Reds have acquired Ronald Araujo on a season-long loan from FC Barcelona to add some defensive depth.
Prior to his loan move, Araujo wore #4 on his shirt for both club and country, but that shirt is already taken by captain Virgil Van Dijk at Anfield. As a result, he has gone for a slightly surprising choice, choosing to wear #33.
So unorthodox is the choice, that the shirt has actually remained vacant for a decade now, with Jordan Ibe being the last player to wear it in 2016.
Introducing our 🆕 no.33 👊 pic.twitter.com/T46iSceRLu
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 10, 2026
Ever since Liverpool announced Araujo’s choice of kit number, fans have been brainstorming what the significance behind it could be. Surprisingly, many also believe it could have a connection with Israel, as the number is of significance in Jewish culture.
The most prominent connection between the number 33 and Israel is the major Jewish holiday Lag BaOmer, which literally translates to the 33rd day of the Counting of the Omer, or the 33rd day of the Omer calendar.
oh boy pic.twitter.com/qmLhFULF7U
— Lennie ☝️ (@BucksSZN) August 10, 2026
It marks the end of a traditional mourning period and celebrates the anniversary of the death of mystic Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, a famous sage who lived in the 2nd century, who is now an extremely celebrated figure of Israel’s history. To celebrate this day, people all over the country light bonfires.
In addition to this, there are several biblical references linking the number 33 and Israel. In the Hebrew edition of the Bible, Chapter 33 is a highly specific text that meticulously logs the 42 journeys and encampments of the Israelites during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness after fleeing Egypt.
Religious texts also claim King David, known in legend as “the greatest king of Israel”, ruled over a united Israel from it’s capital, Jerusalem, for exactly 33 years.
While such comparisons definitely seem a bit far fetched, people are likely making them keeping in mind that Araujo has traveled to Israel in the recent past.
Last season, after picking up a red-card during a high-stakes UEFA Champions League league stage fixture against Chelsea, the Uruguayan defender requested special time off, citing depression and mental health concerns.
During that time, he publicly announced that he would be visiting Israel to get away from the stress of professional football and seek spiritual wisdom. The primary purpose of his trip was to visit churches in Nazareth, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem.
While most fans were accepting of Araujo’s decision, considering the circumstances, many also took shots at him for it, labelling him a Zionist for visiting the nation despite the controversial political position it found itself in. To many, his decision to travel there was a sign of him showing support to the regime.
Before jumping to conclusions, however, it is also important to understand other angles of the story. Just like with Israel and the Hebrew culture, the number 33 also has plenty of significance in Christianity, and Ronald Araujo has often publicly stated and displayed how devout he is.
The biggest connection between 33 and Christianity is that many texts have stated that Jesus was 33 years old when he was crucified and resurrected.
Soon after arriving in Merseyside, Araujo also offered more context on his choice . In addition to any potential religious symbolism, the number also has a special place in his heart because that was what he was sporting when he first made his professional debut for Barça on October 6, 2019.
Speaking to reporters, he said:
“It’s a number that I like, it’s a number that is special to me. Funnily enough, way back when I made my debut as a professional, that was the number that I was wearing back then,” Araujo revealed.
“But it has a personal meaning for me as well, it has a meaning which is all to do with my faith and my relationship with Jesus and God and religion. It’s a subject I spoke about and had a good conversation with my friends, my family, my partner and my parents. It’s a number I’m very pleased on a number of levels to be wearing.”
Whatever may be the underlying reason behind his choice of jersey number, we may well see Ronald Araujo’s #33 shirt go on to become a very popular sight in and around Anfield, if the defender lives up to his potential in the Premier League.
