The 10 Legendary “Numbers 10” in Football

Argentinian icon, Diego Maradona, is widely regarded as one of the best footballers of all time. His technical ability, creativity and dribbling ability are second to none. And of course he was the driving force behind Argentina's World Cup victory in 1986. Maradona's ability to control the game and dominate with his brilliant play has earned him a lasting place in football history. The jersey number 10 will forever be linked to his name.

Pelé,”the king of football”, is also one of the greatest footballers of all time, some even say the best. His speed, technical skills and incredible goal production have made him a legend. Pelé has won the World Cup three times with Brazil and has scored more than 1,000 professional goals in his career.

Once again a footballer with the legendary number 10 who is one of the best footballers ever, none other than Lionel “De Vlo” Messi. Messi's technical ability, speed and accuracy have won him numerous individual awards, including several Ballon d'Or awards. His impressive performances at Barcelona, ​​and since the 2022 World Cup also with the Argentina national team, have earned him a place in football history.

The Brazilian wizard Ronaldinho is also a legendary footballer with the jersey number '10'. He is remembered for his technical ability, creativity and unpredictable playing style. His ability to beat defenders with his inimitable dribbling and brilliant free kicks has made him one of the most beloved players in the history of the sport. He played a key role in Brazil's 2002 World Cup victory and was Barcelona's star in the mid-2000s.

Before Michel Platini became a boss of the football associations, “Le Roi” was one of the greatest French football players of all time. Platini's technical prowess, goal production from midfield and his ability to dominate the game have made him an icon in football. He was one of the key figures in the French team that won the 1984 European Championship, being the tournament's top scorer. A legendary number '10'.

The “White Pelé Zico was a Brazilian midfielder and one of the most technically gifted players in the history of football. His technical skills, creativity, dribbling ability and free-kick ability were exceptional, and he was one of the stars of the Brazilian team in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His impact and success with both the Brazilian national team and Flamengo cemented him in football history.

When you think of a footballer with number 10 in the Netherlands, you quickly think of Jari Litmanen. He had a key role in midfield in Louis van Gaal's successful Ajax in the 1990s. Despite struggles with injuries throughout his career, Litmanen's impact on the game and his success with Ajax and the Finnish national team have secured him a prominent place in football history.

Often regarded as one of the last 'classic' number 10s, Juan Román Riquelme was an Argentine midfielder known for his technical ability, vision and exceptional ball control. Riquelme was a master at controlling the tempo of a match, and his ability to make lethal passes was unparalleled. He was the lynchpin of the Boca Juniors team that won three Copa Libertadores titles, and was also a key figure for the Argentina national team. Riquelme's style of play and influence on the game have given him a lasting place in football history.

The 'Non-Flying Dutchman' is one of the greatest footballers the Netherlands has produced. Bergkamp's technical prowess, elegance and ability to score spectacular goals were breathtaking. He was a key figure in the successful Arsenal team led by Arsène Wenger in the late 1990s and early 2000s, helping the club to multiple Premier League titles and FA Cups. At Ajax, Bergkamp only played with shirt number 10 for one season, but because he is such a typical 'type number 10', many think that he always wore this number. After his time at Ajax he always played with number 10.

We close with one of the best football players of the moment Kylian “Donatello” Mbappé. The French striker's speed, technical ability and goal production are impressive. Mbappe was a key figure in the France team that won the 2018 World Cup and already has several Ligue 1 titles to his name with Paris Saint-Germain. Despite his young age, Mbappé has already built up an impressive resume and seems on his way to becoming one of football's biggest number 10s. Also check out the most iconic songs in sports