The number 10 jersey in soccer is sacred and notably, one of the most iconic numbers. This jersey number gives prestige, class, and a superior feeling to those who wear it. It is undeniable that most people who wear this number in the field are giants in the game and regarded as the best players of their time.
The number 10 is mainly worn by creative midfielders, who are often the game’s salt and magic, giving assists and scoring goals.
Some players with the number 10 include Lionel Messi, Pele, Maradona, Rivaldo, and Neymar Jr.
let’s explore the iconic number 10 players including their:
- Life and talent in soccer,
- Milestones at different clubs and internationally,
- Personal recognition and accolades and much more
Journey with me as we explore the legendary players who have donned the number 10 jersey.
The Best Soccer Players With Number 10
The best strikers in the world of soccer have worn the number 10 jersey. This is the ultimate list of the best-ever goal scorers in the game. These 10s have amazed the world with their skills, let’s take a look at their achievements and view their highlights.
Lionel Messi
An agile soccer player, Messi is from Argentina and currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain. He is often widely regarded as the best soccer player in the world.
He has won a record of seven Ballon d’Or awards and a record of six European Golden shoes. In 2020, he was named the Ballon d’Or Dream team.
Since the 2008/09 season, Messi, donning number 10 has been a constant in Barcelona’s first eleven. At Barcelona, he won a club-record 35 trophies, among them ten La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey, and four Champions League titles.
A creative playmaker and prolific goal scorer, he holds a record for the most goals in:
- La Liga – 474 goals
- European league season – 50 goals
Most hat tricks in:
- La Liga – 36
- UEFA Championship league – 8
Most assists in:
- La Liga – 192
- La Liga season – 21
- Copa America – 17
He also holds a record for most international goals by a South American male – 80. Messi has the most goals by a player for a single club, having 750 senior career goals.
His elusive tricks and electrifying talent with the ball put him in a class of his own.
Pele
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, popularly known as Pele, is a former Brazilian professional soccer player who played as a forward. He started playing soccer for Santos at the age of 15 and the Brazil national team at 16.
He is among the numerous players who have worn number 10 jerseys and shined with it in the arena football. He has won three FIFA World Cups during his international career, including 1958, 1962, and 1970. Pele is the only player to accomplish such a feat in history.
In addition, he is an all-time leading Brazil goal scorer for Brazil with 77 goals in 92 games. Amazingly, he scored 643 goals from 659 games at the club level, averaging a goal per game throughout his career.
He was the Athlete of the century by International Olympic Committee and was included in the Time Magazine list of the most important person in the 20th century. Additionally, in 2000, he was voted the World Player of the Century by the IFFHS.
His 1279 goals in 1363 games, including friendlies, are recognized as a Guinness World Record.
Pele was adept at striking the ball with either foot and anticipating opponents’ moves in the field. Also, predominantly a striker, he would drop deep and take on a playmaking role, providing assists with his vision and passing ability and using his dribbling skills to go past his opponents.
He is a national hero because of his accomplishments in soccer and is recognized as a humanitarian for supporting policies that improve the social condition of the poor. In addition, he is an inspiration to many for becoming the first black global sporting star.
Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona was born in 1960 and died on 25th November 2020 due to a heart attack. He was a professional Argentine soccer player and manager. He is regarded among the greatest soccer players in history, having won the FIFA player of the 20th century.
At the age of 8, Maradona caught the eye of a talent scout while playing in his neighborhood club Estrella Roja. At 12 years old, he amused spectators as he wizardly rocked the ball.
Maradona operates the classic number 10 position. He played for various teams, including Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla, and Newell’s Old Boys.
He most stood out when he played for Napoli, winning several awards. In his international career with Argentina, he was capped 91 times and managed 34 goals. In addition, he played in four FIFA World cups in 1982, 1986, 1990, and 1994.
He has won several recognitions, such as The Golden Ball, as the best soccer player of the year from 1979-1981 by FIFA.
Maradona saw the back of the net 312 times in his career and recorded eight goals and eight assists in 21 World Cup appearances, earning him a place as the second goal scorer of Argentina.
When he was in the field, his presence and leadership were felt. As a result, he had an enormous impact on his team’s general performance.
Maradona’s vision, his wizard-like ball control, passing, and dribbling skills made him stand out and make a name for himself in the soccer arena. Interestingly, his short stature made him maneuver better than most players on the field.
He was also referred to as a free-kick specialist. Due to his talent, he was given the nickname “El Pibe de Oro,” which means the golden boy.
Rivaldo Vitor Boba Ferreira
Rivaldo is a former professional Brazilian soccer player who wore the number 10 jersey and played as an attacking midfielder and a second striker. He was born on 19th April 1972 and started his career at a young age.
He is among the best ten strikers. When he played with Barcelona, he won the Spanish league twice and the Copa del Ray.
He also won the UEFA Championship with AC Milan.
Rivaldo is known for his great exploits with the Brazil national team, with whom he won the World Cup in 2002 and a runner-up in 1998.
In 1999, Rivaldo won the Ballon d’Or and was named FIFA World Player of the Year. Additionally, in 2004, he was named by Pele in the FIFA 100 list of the world’s greatest living players.
He was famous for his ability to bend free-kicks, execute bicycle kicks, and his powerful ball kicking from a distance. His ability to score and create goals was outstanding.
He was one of the best left-footed specialists but could play either wing and strike the ball with either foot. His fast speed and shooting accuracy mesmerized many.
Neymar Da Silva Junior
Neymar is a Brazilian professional soccer player who plays a forward for the Ligue1 club, Paris Saint-German, and the Brazil national team. He was offered the number 10 jersey at the national team as a welcome gift by Javier Pastore.
Neymar made his first professional appearance at the age of 17 at Santo, where he helped the club win the Campeonato Paulista championships twice successively, Copa do Brasil and the 2011 Copa Libertadores.
Named twice as the South American player of the year in 2011 and 2012, he relocated to join Barcelona, where he won Copa del Ray and the UEFA Championship league and finished third in the FIFA Ballon d’Or in 2015 for his exemplary performance.
He then transferred to PSG at a fee of 222 million Euros, making him the most expensive player so far. He has won 70 goals in 116 matches for Brazil.
His confidence on the field, excellent body control, quick reflexes, and explosive speed makes him stand out.
