Soccer players with the number 10, 10 is the number of strikers, and “10” is one of the most iconic team numbers in football, as many football legends have worn the number 10 shirt. Let’s remember the famous number 10 in football history.
The number 10 is not one of the “lucky” numbers. Or maybe it is. Who are the 10 most famous soccer players of all time?
Some soccer players’ jersey numbers have become more famous than others, either because of the player who wears them or because they are associated with important matches or events. One of these numbers is 10.
Just as Diego Maradona and Pele, two of the greatest players of all time, are partly to blame for the numbers. All of today’s top players wore number 10, so the number 10 was a natural choice.
Let’s get right into the article and know about all the famous soccer players who wore the number 10,
1. Lionel Messi:
The world famous Messi is from Argentina and currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain. He has always been considered the best soccer player in the world.
He has won a record seven Ballons d’Or and a record six European Golden Boot awards. Moreover, In 2020, he was named to the Ballon d’Or Dream Team.
Starting from the 2008/09 season, Messi, who plays under number 10, is a permanent member of Barcelona’s first team.
Besides all his achievements, in Barcelona he also won 35 trophies, including 10 La Liga titles, 7 Copa del Rey titles and 4 Champions League titles.
As well as holding the record for the most goals scored by a South American male, he has also scored 80 goals. Messi holds the record for most goals by a single club player with 750 goals in his senior career.
His shifty tricks and captivating talent with the soccer ball made him a class of his own.
2. Pele:
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, is a former Brazilian professional footballer who played as a striker. He started playing football in Santos at the age of 15 and in Brazil at the age of 16.
Numerous great players have worn the number 10 jersey, including Pelé, who is considered by many to be the greatest of all time. However, the shirt number was first given to him by chance. Convened for the 1958 World Cup as a 17-year-old, the Brazilian Football Federation did not provide team numbers to tournament organizers.
Rather it was randomly assigned and Pelé received number 10. He finished the tournament with six goals and became a world star in the process, never wearing a different shirt number again.
All in all Pelé is one of the first and most famous number 10 soccer players in history.
3. Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona was born in 1960 and died of a heart attack on November 25, 2020. He is a well known professional Argentine football player and coach. He is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, having won the title of FIFA Player of the 20th Century.
Maradona holds the classic number 10 position and has played for various teams including Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell’s Old Boys.
He was most notable in Naples where he won several awards. During his national team career in Argentina, he scored 34 goals in 91 appearances.
Moreover he also participated in four FIFA World Cups: 1982, 1986, 1990 and 1994.
He was the FIFA Footballer of the Year from 1979 to 1981, winning several awards including the Ballon d’Or.
During his career, Maradona scored 312 goals, 8 goals and 8 assists in 21 World Cup matches, becoming the second top scorer for the Argentine national team.
His presence and leadership were felt when he was on the battlefield. As a result, he had a huge impact on the team’s overall game.
Maradona’s vision, magical ball control, passing and dribbling skills have allowed him to stand out and make a name for himself in the world of football.
In addition he was known as the free kick specialist. His talent earned him the nickname “El Pibe de Oro” which means “The Golden Boy”.
4. Rivaldo Vitor Borba Ferreira:
Rivaldo is a former professional Brazilian footballer who wore the number 10 jersey and played as an attacking midfielder and second striker. He was born on 19 April 1972 and started his playing career at a young age.
While playing for Barcelona, he twice won the Spanish Championship and the Copa del Rey. Likewise he also won the UEFA Championship with AC Milan.
Rivaldo is known for his great achievements with the Brazilian national team, winning the World Cup in 2002 and finishing second in 1998.
In 1999, Rivaldo won the Ballon d’Or and was named World Player of the Year.
He was known for his free kick bend, bike shot, and powerful mid-range shooting ability. Rivaldo excelled at scoring during the matches.
He was one of the best left-handers, but could play on either wing and hit the ball with either foot. His speed and accurate shooting captivated many.
5. Neymar Da Silva Junior:
Neymar is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a striker (Read about striker in soccer) and currently plays for Ligue 1 clubs and the Brazilian national team. He was offered a national team number 10 shirt as a welcome gift by Javier Pastore.
Neymar started his professional career at the age of 17. He is a two-time winner of the South American Player of the Year award in 2011 and 2012. He moved to Barcelona, where he won the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Championship League, and won the 2015 FIFA Ballon d’Or for his exemplary performance.
Neymar Junior then moved to Paris Saint-Germain for 222 million euros, becoming the most expensive player to date.
He played 116 matches for the Brazilian national team and scored 70 goals.
His confidence on the pitch, great body control, quick reflexes and explosive speed make him stand out.
6. Zinedine Zidane:
Zinedine Zidane is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time for his elegant and stylish appearance on the pitch as well as his ability to score world-class goals, such as the winning goal he scored for Real Madrid in the 2002 Champions League final.
Moreover his two goals helped France win the World Cup final at home to Brazil in 1998, and he is best known for his last appearance in a French shirt in the 2006 final when he was sent off for headbutting Marco Materazzi. Zidane is probably one of the top 10 most famous footballers of all time, equally important he wore the number 10.
7. Ronaldinho:
Ronaldinho is one of the most iconic soccer players in history. Born in Brazil in 1980, Ronaldinho began his soccer career at a young age, joining the youth team of Gremio in Porto Alegre. He quickly became known for his exceptional skills on the ball, including his dazzling dribbling, precise passing, and powerful shooting.
Ronaldinho was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005 and won the World Cup in Brazil in 2002. He is known for his flamboyant skills, on-the-pitch tricks and graceful style of play during his time at Barcelona. With some great goals.
He is definitely one of the top 10 most famous footballers of all time. Besides all his great skills and achievements he wore the great number 10 jersey.
8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic:
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of the most prolific soccer players of his generation. He was born in Sweden in 1981. Ibrahimovic began his professional career with Malmo FF in 1999 before moving on to play for a number of top clubs around the world.
Ibrahimovic is defined by ESPN as “airy, fast, big, strong and fast, he plays well with his back to goal and has some of the best shooting, vision, passing and ball control”.
He has won league titles in Italy, Spain, France, and the United States, and has scored over 500 goals in his career.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been named the Swedish Player of the Year a record 12 times, and he has been named to the UEFA Team of the Year on several occasions.
He is considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time, and his impact on the sport is sure to be felt for years to come. He wore the number 10 jersey for Manchester United.
9. Lothar Matthaus:
Lothar Matthaus is a retired German soccer player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time. He was born in 1961 in Erlangen, West Germany, and began his professional career with Borussia Monchengladbach in 1979.
Matthaus went on to play for a number of top clubs around the world, including Bayern Munich (for which he wore the legendary 10 number jersey), Inter Milan, and the New York/New Jersey Metrostars. He won a total of seven Bundesliga titles, one UEFA Cup, and one World Cup over the course of his career.
Known for his versatility and tactical intelligence, Matthaus was equally comfortable playing in defense, midfield, or attack. He was an excellent passer of the ball, had a powerful shot, and was a great reader of the game.
Today, Matthaus is considered a legend of the sport, and he continues to be involved in soccer as a coach and commentator. His impact on the game is undeniable, and his name will always be remembered as one of the greats.
10. Roberto Baggio:
Roberto Baggio is a retired Italian soccer player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. He was born in 1967 in Caldogno, Italy, and began his professional career with Vicenza in 1983.
Baggio’s talent quickly caught the attention of some of Italy’s top clubs, and he went on to play for Fiorentina, Juventus, Milan, and Bologna. He won two Serie A titles and a UEFA Cup with Juventus, and was named the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1993.
Baggio was known for his skill on the ball, his creativity, and his scoring ability. He was a prolific goal scorer, and was capable of scoring goals from anywhere on the field. He is perhaps best remembered for his performances in the 1994 World Cup, where he led Italy to the final and was named the tournament’s best player despite missing a crucial penalty in the final.
Today, Baggio is considered a legend of the sport, and his name is synonymous with Italian soccer. He continues to be involved in the game as a coach and ambassador, and his impact on the sport will always be remembered.
List of the Soccer Players With Number 10
| S No. | Name | Team/Club/Country | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lionel Messi | Barcelona | Forward |
| 2 | Pele | Brazil National Team, Santos | Forward |
| 3 | Diego Maradona | Argentina, Barcelona | Midfielder |
| 4 | Rivaldo Vitor Borba Ferreira | Barcelona, Brazil | Forward, Midfielder |
| 5 | Neymar Da Silva Junior | Brazil, PSG | Forward |
| 6 | Zinedine Zidane | France | Midfielder |
| 7 | Ronaldinho | Brazil, Barcelona, PSG | Midfielder |
| 8 | Zlatan Ibrahimovic | Sweden, PSG, Manchester United | Forward |
| 9 | Lothar Matthaus | Germany, Bayern Munich | Defender, Midfielder |
| 10 | Roberto Baggio | Italy, Juventus, AC Milan | Forward, Midfielder |
Faqs Related to Soccer Players With Number 10
Q1. Why is number 10 special in soccer?
Soccer’s number 10, the 10th, is typically associated with the most innovative and influential player of the team, typically playing in the defensive midfield position. It is popularized by famous players like Pele, Diego Maradona, and Lionel Messi, who have all donned this number 10-colored jersey, and have become famous figures in the game.
Q2. Who is the king of number 10 in football?
The number one player in soccer world is the sole living famous Lionel Messi. People around the world know him as Leo Messi. He is a star player for Argentina and is a captain. Argentina has been crowned the winner of FIFA 2022 under his captaincy. Leo Messi is currently playing as a forward for Argentina.
Q3. Is number 10 a striker?
No, the number 10 in soccer is usually not a striker. They typically play in attacking midfield, behind the forward line of strikers. The person wearing number 10 is responsible for creating and directing attack play, often providing passes to strikers or scoring goals themselves. There are exceptions where they may play as either false 9s or even strikers, depending on what tactical system the team employs.
Conclusion Soccer Players With Number 10
In conclusion, the number 10 has been worn by some of the greatest soccer players in history, and each player on this list has left their own indelible mark on the sport. From the creative genius of Pele to the clinical finishing of Lionel Messi, these players have provided unforgettable moments of skill, passion, and inspiration to fans around the world.
While each player brings their own unique style and strengths to the game, they all share a love and dedication to the beautiful game that has made them true legends of soccer.
We hope that this list was all that you needed!
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