6 Greatest Number 10s in World Football History as Messi Chats With Zidane

Lionel Messi, one of the greatest footballers of all time, recently engaged in a conversation with French legend Zinedine Zidane, during which he shared his admiration for Diego Maradona, reflected on the significance of the number 10 in Argentinian football, and discussed the changing role of the classic number 10 position in modern football.

During his conversation with Zidane, Messi expressed his profound admiration for Diego Maradona, emphasizing the iconic status of the number 10 in Argentinian football.

Messi also underscored the significance of the number 10 as a symbol of aspiration for Argentinian footballers, acknowledging that while everyone wanted to emulate Maradona, no one managed to replicate his influence entirely.

Messi lamented the decline of players in the traditional number 10 position, citing Juan Roman Riquelme and Pablo Aimar.

The No. 10 position these days is more about status than it is about your function on the field. And for these players, their reputation as some of the sport’s all-time greats has been summarised:

Juan Roman Riquelme

Juan Roman Riquelme, is one of the most enigmatic footballers of all time. He was a midfield wizard who sparkled in three consecutive seasons at Boca Juniors. Where he’s still revered probably even more than the legendary Maradona.

At his finest, Riquelme’s close control, ball-carrying, and eye for a pass were unrivalled in Argentine football. Talent hits the target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see – and Riquelme was clearly a genius.

Ronaldinho

Some folks are more burdened by the crown. Even though he was Barcelona’s No. 10 and had a lot of responsibility, Ronaldinho always played with lyrical grace.

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The Brazilian was possibly the final great performer in the history of the sport, mesmerising spectators and enthralling defenders with his magnificent samba skills and astonishing end product, which was frequently overlooked in favour of his acrobatics and flicks. Ronnie eventually accepted the number 10 for Brazil, and he excelled at it.

Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane was said to wear No. 5 for Real Madrid since he was only half as good of a player there as he was when he wore No. 10 for France. However, what a player for France.

Zizou’s position as one of the most admired playmakers of all time was confirmed by two international trophies and other classic performances throughout his international career. For the club level, it was an unusual choice of number, but there has never been a finer No. 10 in Europe.

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi has the maximum number of Ballon d’Or of all time (7) He is considered as the greatest footballer of all time. And while Messi may currently wear No. 30 for Paris Saint-Germain, the Argentine is the reason why so many people have made that decision in the last ten or so years. He performs like a No. 9, No. 10, and No. 11 all at once, making him the most incredibly talented attacker of his generation.

Diego Maradona

Diego Maradona was a one-man whirlwind who could burst through defences, bury from dead balls, or find a pass that would split two defences in half.

For an entire generation, he has been the No. 10 shirt. To wear it, the Argentine even insisted that he was left out of the absurd numbering scheme for the national team (the players numbered themselves by alphabetical order, Ossie Ardiles as no.1). One of the original iconic 10s, Maradona served as a standard by which all ensuing attackers measured their own abilities.

Pele

How great could Pele have been if the opposition hadn't set out to kick him off the park? Edison Arantes do Nascimento is routinely voted the greatest player that ever lived. He just happens also to be the greatest No. 10, of course.

To put him in a Brazilian perspective, we could have picked Zico or Ronaldinho instead, but frankly, it was no contest.

Pele gained the No.10 shirt by accident. Brazil had forgotten to allocate numbers, so FIFA did it instead, and Pele was nominated as No. 10, still the greatest and the best footballer of all-time.