The number 10 shirt is without a doubt the most coveted number in football. Many legendary players across the eras have worn the number with pride and added to its value. In this list, we take a look at the ten best players to ever don the number 10 shirt.
Zinedine Zidane
The current Madrid manager was once a Galactico himself and is widely considered to have some of the best skills on the ball in the history of the sport. Featuring for Juventus and the France national team as well, Zidane scored and assisted 117 goals throughout his club career, and scored 31 from 108 appearances for France.
Ronaldinho
The Brazilian magician was the shining light leading the Barcelona and AC Milan frontlines during his glory days and is still one of the most beloved footballers to have ever played the game.
Francesco Totti
The Italian is a true example of what it means to be a one-club-player. His career spells out one of the truest tales of loyalty as he played for, and retired at his boyhood club, AS Roma whilst having the potential to walk into any lineup in the world.
Pele
The Brazilian is one of the most inspirational figures in football history and is officially one of the players of the 20th century. Having as many as three FIFA World Cup victories to his name, Pele played for Brazilian club Santos throughout his career before moving to NY Cosmos to call it a day.
Diego Maradona
Another World Cup legend, Maradona, alongside his longstanding rival Pele, is the other player of the 20th century. One of the best to ever play the game, Maradona almost single-handedly guided Argentina to the 1986 World Cup, scoring the “Hand of God” and the Goal of the Century in the process.
Lionel Messi
The only currently active player on the list, Lionel Messi’s list of accolades and honours puts him right up there with the best of the best. La Pulga is in among the top scorers of every competition and team that he has been a part of, and is a bonafide legend of the game.
Michel Platini
Coming through the ranks at Nancy and Saint Etienne, Platini’s most fondly cherished spell as a footballer came during his time at Juventus. The midfielder helped Juventus win the European Cup, along with guiding the Old Lady to two league titles.
Lothar Matthaus
Matthaus is the most capped player in the history of the German national team and is among the finest players to ever don the number 10 shirt. His playing days saw him earn a reputation as a charismatic midfielder, described by Maradona as his toughest opponent. He was also honoured with a Ballon d’Or in 1990 following Germany’s World Cup victory.
Roberto Baggio
Baggio starred for Fiorentina before eventually earning a move to Juventus in the Serie A. The Italian league was the best in the world during his playing days. Baggio cruised through defenses and managed to win the 1993 Ballon d’Or in honour of his performances.
Alfredo di Stefano
Amongst the highest scorers in Real Madrid history, Los Blancos currently play their matches at their training ground named after this legend. His partnership with Puskas is one of the most memorable times of Real Madrid’s long gone past, and the Argentinian caps off our list of the ten best players to don the number 10 shirt ever.
