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One of football's most popular positions, the quintessential no.10 is in short supply right now. Managers these days prefer pacy players on the wings, capable of disrupting the opposition defence; the decline of the likes of Mesut Ozil and James Rodriguez is sad evidence of that.
Yet there was a time when the no.10 was the superstar of the team. Usually, an extremely creative player with excellent passing and vision, the playmaker is supposed to run attacks for his team.
We look at:
10 greatest number 10s of all time.
#10 RIVALDO
One of Brazil's finest, Rivaldo is regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation.
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Predominantly an attacking midfielder who could play as a striker if needed, Rivaldo was renowned for dribbling and creative ability. A free-kick specialist, the Brazil international had his best spell while playing for Barcelona. He is the club's ninth-highest goalscorer, scoring 130 goals in all competitions in 235 games.
For his national team, Rivaldo is the seventh-highest goalscorer, with 35 goals in 74 matches. In 1999, he won the Ballon d'Or for his performances. Post Barcelona he had stints with AC Milan, Cruzeiro and Olympiacos among other clubs, before retiring in 2015.
#9 MICHAEL LAUDRUP
An attacking midfielder who could play across the forward line, Michael Laudrup had a storied career as a footballer.
The Denmark international was an elegant playmaker with excellent passing and technical ability, who was highly appreciated for his intelligence and calmness. He had a good spell with Juventus before moving to Barcelona in 1989, where he was a part of Johan Cruyff's "Dream Team".
He moved to arch-rivals Real Madrid in 1994, also making appearances for Vissel Kobe and Ajax before retiring in 1998. He is currently a manager, having managed the likes of Getafe, Swansea City and Al Rayyan among other clubs.
#8 ZICO
One of the greatest players of all-time, Zico was nicknamed "White Pele", because of his incredible talent.
Zico spent much of his playing career with Flamengo, making more than 500 appearances in all competitions for them and scoring 378 goals. A diminutive playmaker with good passing and technique, the Brazil international's creativity ran Flamengo and Brazil's attacks.
He left Flamengo in 1983 to join Udinese, where he became a fan favourite despite only playing two seasons there. He returned to Flamengo, and five years later moved to Kashima Antlers. He retired in 1994, and has had stints with the Japan national team, Iraq national team and FC Goa as manager.
Also Read: 7 football superstars who retired in 2020
#7 MICHEL PLATINI
A prolific goalscorer from midfield, Michel Platini is regarded as one of the best French footballers to have played the game.
An incredibly creative passer as well as a good free-kick taker, Platini dominated from the no.10 position despite his slight frame. Having begun his career with Nancy, the France international enjoyed spells with Saint-Etienne and Juventus, making more than a hundred league appearances for all three of his clubs.
He retired in 1987, becoming the manager of the France national team in 1988. He stepped down as coach in 1992. In recent years Platini has been embroiled in controversy due to his role in FIFA and UEFA and has been accused of corruption. He was barred from the sport until 2023 due to corruption charges.
#6 RONALDINHO
Brazil is a hotbed of attacking talent, and Ronaldinho is another player from the nation who has had an important impact on the game.
Renowned for his creativity, flair, dribbling and overall technical ability, Ronaldinho is seen as a modern great. He made his name at Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Barcelona, where he would become the best in the world due to his consistent performances. Pre-Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho was running Barcelona's attacks.
He won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil and made 97 appearances for the national team, scoring 33 goals. After leaving Barcelona he played for the likes of AC Milan, Flamengo and Fluminense, before retiring in 2015.
#5 ZINEDINE ZIDANE
An excellent playmaker, the Real Madrid manager was known for his vision, passing and elegance, Zinedine Zidane won the 1998 Ballon d'Or for his performances.
Having begun his career with Cannes, Zidane made his name at Bordeaux, moving to Juventus in 1996. Here the France international was at his very best, earning a €77.5 million move to Real Madrid in 2001, aged 29. Brilliant technically and seen as a role model for many players, Zidane made an indelible impact with his performances.
Having retired in 2006, Zidane became the manager of Real Madrid in 2016, winning three consecutive Champions League titles with the club. After a season away, he joined the club again, this time winning the league. He is currently regarded as one of the best managers in the world.
#4 ALFREDO DI STEFANO
Alfredo Di Stefano had such an impact at Real Madrid that the club decided to name the stadium where the club players usually train after him.
A prolific goalscorer who was strong and fast during his prime, Di Stefano enjoyed a good partnership with fellow forward Ferenc Puskas at Real Madrid. He joined Los Blancos in 1953 from Millonarios, going on to play 396 games in all competitions and scoring 308 goals.
After a stint with Espanyol, Di Stefano retired in 1966. Subsequently he went on to manage the likes of Boca Juniors, Valencia and Real Madrid. He made appearances for three national teams during his playing career; Argentina, Colombia and Spain.
Also Read: 10 greatest goalkeepers of all time
#3 JOHAN CRUYFF
An incredibly gifted player, Johan Cruyff arguably changed the way the game was played; first as a player, then as a manager.
An Ajax youth product who made over 200 league appearances and scored 190 goals for his boyhood club, Cruyff moved to Barcelona in 1973, where he would change the club's future in many ways. As a player, he was famous for his "Cruyff Turn", as well as his creativity and passing.
He retired as a player in 1984 and became manager of Ajax in 1985. Here he would begin to implement his "Total Football" philosophy; something which he would take over to Barcelona when he became manager there. The likes of Pep Guardiola and Quique Setien are ardent "Cruyffistas", having been heavily influenced by the great man.
#2 LIONEL MESSI
Arguably the greatest player to have played the game of football, Lionel Messi's legacy increases on a daily basis.
Barcelona's talisman for some time now, the Argentina international is currently the club's best passer, best creator and best goalscorer. A prodigious talent, Messi's skills were honed at the famed La Masia academy, where he trained alongside the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Pique.
Barcelona is in disarray right now, and Messi has been the sole bright spot. The 33-year old has only one year left in his contract, and it has been heavily rumoured that he might leave the club this season out of sheer frustration at how things are being run.
#1 DIEGO MARADONA
One of football's true global superstars, Diego Armando Maradona was one of football's finest players.
Messi has been often compared to Maradona for various reasons; their playing style, their nationality and their diminutive stature. Maradona was a brilliant and dynamic footballer belssed with excellent passing, dribbling and technical ability. His European adventure began with Barcelona, but he became the best in the world at Napoli, where he is seen as a legend.
Maradona almost singlehandedly won the World Cup for Argentina with some special goals that truly transcended the game itself. A feat that Messi has been unable to replicate. This has made critics and fans put Maradona above Messi, whenever debates erupt as to who is the best player among the two.
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