When it comes to squad numbers for the FIFA World Cup™, no digits are more coveted than the No. 10. The shirt bearing the 10 goes to a player who is considered the creative brain of the team, usually the inspiration for his country in attack and in general.
As the countdown to Brazil reaches its apex, we take a look back at 10 famous men who’ve worn the 10 (check out their jerseys in the links, too):
Why he makes our list: All lists that involve the words “soccer,” and “greatest,” must begin with this legend. He’s the most sensational, supreme player ever to lace up boots. By any measure or metric, Pelé is a living legend, the only man to ever capture three FIFA World Cup™ crowns.
Why he makes our list: Those of you who disagreed with our statement that Pelé is unrivaled probably have Diego Maradona in mind. His performance at 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico™ is considered the greatest single tournament show ever produced by an individual.
At that tournament, where he lifted the cup for La Albiceleste, Maradona scored two remarkable goals in the quarterfinal against England: the “Hand of God,” and the “Goal of the Century,” when he weavd through five would-be defenders.
Why he makes our list: Zidane was a pure delight to watch play soccer. He’s the premier midfielder of his generation, harboring incredible body and ball control.
He scored twice in the final to earn France their first ever FIFA World Cup™ trophy as hosts in 1998 and later came out of retirement to lead Les Bleus to the final and win the Golden Ball in 2006.
Why he makes our list: Ronaldinho is a player whose performances fuse entertainment and success on the field. Full of all the flair, ball tricks and terrific technique that defines a Brazilian star, Ronaldinho also delivered 2002 FIFA World Cup South Korea/Japan™ glory for his country and was twice named FIFA World Player of the Year™.
Why he makes our list: Regarded as El Tri’s best ever player, and certainly their ultimate entertainer, Blanco is still playing at 41 years old. He was honored during Mexico’s friendly May 28 against Israel with a place in the Starting XI, and he was the best player on the field for the first half hour, a remarkable statement for a man his age.
He’s the only Mexican to win an award at a major FIFA competition and is tied with Ronaldinho for most goals ever at the FIFA Confederations Cup.
Why he makes our list: Landon Donovan is second to none when it comes to representing the Stars and Stripes. His goal against Algeria in the final moments of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Group Stage was the exclamation mark on an incredible career during which he became the USA’s all-time leading scorer and assist maker.
He won the Best Young Player award at 2002 FIFA World Cup South Korea/Japan™ for his starring role in the Yanks run to the quarterfinals and kept on excelling.
Why he makes our list: If ever a player was defined in one moment, it’s was Dennis Bergkamp at 1998 FIFA World Cup France™ when Holland faced Argentina in the Quarterfinals.
In the 89th minute, Bergkamp collected a Frank de Boer long ball in the box brilliantly, shoehorning it with his right, working it with one touch to his left to create space and blasting the ball home for the winner with the outside of his right to stun La Albiceleste.
Bergkamp was a simply superlative striker with the capacity to defy physics.
Why he makes our list: Known by most modern fans as the president of UEFA, Michel Platini was a remarkable player in his day. The fabulous Frenchman won a trio of FIFA Ballon d’Or awards and led his country to the 1984 European Championship and two FIFA World Cup semifinals.
He was so on fire in 1984 that he still holds the record for most goals ever in the Euros (nine), despite only playing in it once.
Why he makes our list: Like Platini, Baggio is a member of the FIFA World Cup Dream Team™ and another player who will live long in our memories. He led Italy to the 1994 FIFA World Cup United States™ final through his exceptional playmaking ability and free-kick brilliance.
Why he makes our list: The award given annually to the player who nets the most beautiful goal worldwide is named for Puskás, which should give you an idea of this man’s quality.
He scored a jaw-dropping 84 times in 85 appearances for his country, leading Hungary to the finals in 1954. He was the top scorer in the 20th century at club level with Budapest Honved and Real Madrid.
In which order would you put the 10 greatest No. 10s of all time? Is there a player we left out? Tell us about it.
As the countdown to Brazil reaches its apex, we take a look back at 10 famous men who’ve worn the 10 (check out their jerseys in the links, too):
Pelé, Brazil
Why he makes our list: All lists that involve the words “soccer,” and “greatest,” must begin with this legend. He’s the most sensational, supreme player ever to lace up boots. By any measure or metric, Pelé is a living legend, the only man to ever capture three FIFA World Cup™ crowns.
Diego Maradona, Argentina
Why he makes our list: Those of you who disagreed with our statement that Pelé is unrivaled probably have Diego Maradona in mind. His performance at 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico™ is considered the greatest single tournament show ever produced by an individual.
At that tournament, where he lifted the cup for La Albiceleste, Maradona scored two remarkable goals in the quarterfinal against England: the “Hand of God,” and the “Goal of the Century,” when he weavd through five would-be defenders.
Zinedine Zidane, France
Why he makes our list: Zidane was a pure delight to watch play soccer. He’s the premier midfielder of his generation, harboring incredible body and ball control.
He scored twice in the final to earn France their first ever FIFA World Cup™ trophy as hosts in 1998 and later came out of retirement to lead Les Bleus to the final and win the Golden Ball in 2006.
Ronaldinho, Brazil
Why he makes our list: Ronaldinho is a player whose performances fuse entertainment and success on the field. Full of all the flair, ball tricks and terrific technique that defines a Brazilian star, Ronaldinho also delivered 2002 FIFA World Cup South Korea/Japan™ glory for his country and was twice named FIFA World Player of the Year™.
Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Mexico
Why he makes our list: Regarded as El Tri’s best ever player, and certainly their ultimate entertainer, Blanco is still playing at 41 years old. He was honored during Mexico’s friendly May 28 against Israel with a place in the Starting XI, and he was the best player on the field for the first half hour, a remarkable statement for a man his age.
He’s the only Mexican to win an award at a major FIFA competition and is tied with Ronaldinho for most goals ever at the FIFA Confederations Cup.
Landon Donovan, USA
Why he makes our list: Landon Donovan is second to none when it comes to representing the Stars and Stripes. His goal against Algeria in the final moments of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Group Stage was the exclamation mark on an incredible career during which he became the USA’s all-time leading scorer and assist maker.
He won the Best Young Player award at 2002 FIFA World Cup South Korea/Japan™ for his starring role in the Yanks run to the quarterfinals and kept on excelling.
Dennis Bergkamp, Holland
Why he makes our list: If ever a player was defined in one moment, it’s was Dennis Bergkamp at 1998 FIFA World Cup France™ when Holland faced Argentina in the Quarterfinals.
In the 89th minute, Bergkamp collected a Frank de Boer long ball in the box brilliantly, shoehorning it with his right, working it with one touch to his left to create space and blasting the ball home for the winner with the outside of his right to stun La Albiceleste.
Bergkamp was a simply superlative striker with the capacity to defy physics.
Michel Platini, France
Why he makes our list: Known by most modern fans as the president of UEFA, Michel Platini was a remarkable player in his day. The fabulous Frenchman won a trio of FIFA Ballon d’Or awards and led his country to the 1984 European Championship and two FIFA World Cup semifinals.
He was so on fire in 1984 that he still holds the record for most goals ever in the Euros (nine), despite only playing in it once.
Roberto Baggio, Italy
Why he makes our list: Like Platini, Baggio is a member of the FIFA World Cup Dream Team™ and another player who will live long in our memories. He led Italy to the 1994 FIFA World Cup United States™ final through his exceptional playmaking ability and free-kick brilliance.
Ferenc Puskás, Hungary
Why he makes our list: The award given annually to the player who nets the most beautiful goal worldwide is named for Puskás, which should give you an idea of this man’s quality.
He scored a jaw-dropping 84 times in 85 appearances for his country, leading Hungary to the finals in 1954. He was the top scorer in the 20th century at club level with Budapest Honved and Real Madrid.
In which order would you put the 10 greatest No. 10s of all time? Is there a player we left out? Tell us about it.
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