Ranked: The most iconic number 10s in football history

Elegance personified

Number 10 – the embodiment of the beautiful game, a symbol of class, creativity, and elegance. This legendary number has been worn by some of the greatest footballers in history, each making it their own with flair and brilliance. Here are the 15 best players to ever wear the iconic number 10.

15. Pablo Aimar - Argentina

A true inspiration for Lionel Messi, Pablo Aimar was a player of remarkable finesse. His dribbling, vision, and ability to create magic with the ball made him an artist on the pitch, adored by fans for his natural grace. So much so, that he was often compared to a dancer with the ball at his feet. Aimar proudly wore the number 10 for Argentina, Benfica, and River Plate, leaving a lasting legacy wherever he played.

14. Gheorghe Hagi - Romania

Nicknamed the "Maradona of the Carpathians," Gheorghe Hagi was Romania's star player in the 1990s. With his ability to do the extraordinary – long-range shots, sharp vision, and a knack for shining in crucial moments – he became one of the best players of his generation. Hagi’s talent and influence on the pitch made him a true legend for both club and country.

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13. Rui Costa - Portugal

An artist on the pitch, Rui Costa embodied everything an outstanding player should be. With the number 10 on his back, the Portuguese maestro made both AC Milan and Benfica shine, solidifying his place as one of the game's true greats. His vision, technique, and elegance reinforced the legend of the number 10, making it a symbol of excellence in football.

12. Juan Román Riquelme – Argentina

Riquelme was a master of time and space. With his extraordinary technique, everything seemed possible when he had the ball at his feet. One of Boca Juniors' greatest legends, his presence is felt all around La Bombonera, where Román's number 10 shirts are seen on every street corner, a testament to his enduring legacy.

11. Carlos Valderrama - Colombia

Carlos Valderrama, with his iconic hair, established himself as one of the best playmakers in the history of football. A midfield maestro, he perfectly embodied the art of dictating the pace of a match. Not only was Valderrama an outstanding technician, but he was also a natural leader. Under his leadership, Colombia experienced one of the most successful periods in its history, including qualifying for three consecutive World Cups (1990, 1994, 1998).

10. Roberto Baggio - Italy

Roberto Baggio, nicknamed the "Divine Codino," was the embodiment of talent and technical finesse. His performance at the 1994 World Cup is still etched in the memory of football fans worldwide: he carried Italy to the final, scoring spectacular and crucial goals, before enduring the tragedy of a missed penalty in the shootout. Despite this moment of heartbreak, Baggio's unique style, vision, and exceptional playmaking abilities cemented his legacy as one of the greatest artists in the history of football.

9. Francesco Totti - Italy

A symbol of loyalty, Francesco Totti devoted his entire career to AS Roma. A player and a man of rare elegance, an outstanding playmaker, who excelled in his touch on the ball and his intelligence of play.

8. Rivaldo - Brazil

While Rivaldo was less flamboyant than some of his teammates, he remained a player of rare intelligence and formidable technique, capable of scoring goals from every part of the pitch. During the 2002 World Cup, he formed a formidable trio with Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.

7. Ronaldinho - Brazil

Ronaldinho still embodies the poetry of football. With his smile and unforgettable style, he transformed every match into a magical spectacle. Ronaldinho was not just a player: he was a party, a burst of pure joy, giving football some of its most enchanting moments and etching his name among the greatest artists of the sport.

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6. Zico - Brazil

Considered one of the greatest Brazilian players in history and often compared to Pele, Zico embodied the pure number 10: a player of exceptional technical finesse and rare tactical intelligence. A master of free kicks and a prolific scorer, he was the leader of a brilliant generation, but unlucky in his hunt for World Cup glory.

5. Zinedine Zidane - France

When it comes to class and elegance in football, Zidane is surely the best example. The number 10 of the French team was a magician, a player who could stop time with a control, a touch of the ball, a body movement. With the ball at his feet, no one has ever matched his grace.

4. Michel Platini - France

Before Zinedine Zidane, another player made the number 10 of the French team shine: Michel Platini. More than an artist, Platini was a ball virtuoso. With Juventus or France, he redefined the standards of the time.

3. Lionel Messi - Argentina

Lionel Messi is the greatest player of all time, explaining why would be an insult to him, as La Pulga has won everything. An absolute genius with the ball, Lionel Messi is elusive, unplayable, too fast, too strong. A true playmaker, he is as good a passer as he is a scorer, and has redefined the number 10 jersey, with both Barça and in the national team.

2. Diego Armando Maradona – Argentina

The ultimate icon of the number 10. Diego Armando Maradona did everything with this number, he made it magical, mythical. Without Maradona, the 10 would not have the meaning it does today, because he showed the world what creativity and magic was when it came to football.

1. Pele - Brazil

A triple winner of the World Cup, Pelé amazed the world with the number 10 on his back. His body feints, his dribbling, and his virtuosity are still studied today. Pelé was not just a player; he was a symbol of footballing excellence, a master of the beautiful game.

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