Throughout football history, the number 10 shirt has been worn by some of the game’s greatest legends. It’s the shirt of playmakers, geniuses, and game-changers.
In fact, the number 10 shirt is often reserved for the most gifted and influential players on a team. In this guide, we’ll talk about the top ten best footballers who have worn the iconic number 10 shirt, including the teams they wore it for, achievements, and much more.
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Who Are The Best Number 10s In Football History?
# | Player | Nationality | Teams Where He Wore #10 |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Pelé | Brazil | Brazil, Santos |
2 | Diego Maradona | Argentina | Argentina, Napoli, Barcelona, Boca Juniors |
3 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Argentina, Barcelona, Inter Miami |
4 | Zico | Brazil | Brazil, Flamengo, Udinese |
5 | Ronaldinho | Brazil | Brazil, Barcelona, AC Milan |
6 | Roberto Baggio | Italy | Italy, Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan |
7 | Francesco Totti | Italy | AS Roma, Italy |
8 | Michel Platini | France | France, Juventus |
9 | Neymar Jr. | Brazil | Brazil, Barcelona, PSG, Al-Hilal |
10 | Luka Modrić | Croatia | Croatia, Real Madrid |
Pelé
Pelé, born in Brazil, is widely seen as the greatest number 10 in football history. A deadly forward with sharp dribbling, quick feet, and powerful finishing, he scored 1,279 goals in 1,363 matches, a record recognised by Guinness World Records.
At just 17, he won the 1958 FIFA World Cup, the first of three World Cups he lifted (1958, 1962, 1970), a feat no other player has matched. Wearing the number 10 shirt for Santos and Brazil, Pelé was more than just a striker; he was also a visionary playmaker, known for his assists, passing range, and flair.
He led Santos to back-to-back Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup victories in the 1960s. Pelé helped rewrite the phrase “The Beautiful Game” and inspired generations with his style and success.
Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona is one of the most legendary number 10s in football history. He played as a classic attacking midfielder, the heart of every team he led.
Maradona wore the number 10 shirt for Argentina, Napoli, Barcelona, and Boca Juniors, becoming a football icon wherever he played.
He is best remembered for leading Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986, where he scored the famous “Hand of God” goal and the “Goal of the Century” against England.
At the club level, Maradona made history by guiding Napoli to their first-ever Serie A titles. Maradona was a leader, a genius, and the perfect example of what a number 10 should be in world football.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is considered one of the greatest players in football history. Messi has dominated the game for nearly two decades, wearing the number 10 shirt with Barcelona, Argentina, and now Inter Miami.
He has won a record 8 Ballon d’Or awards, scored over 870 career goals, and provided hundreds of assists. With Barcelona, Messi won 34 major trophies, including 10 La Liga titles and 4 Champions Leagues.
Internationally, he led Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the 2024 Copa América. Messi holds numerous records, including most goals for a single club, most World Cup goal contributions, and most goals in La Liga history. A true football genius, his legacy as a complete number 10 is unmatched in modern football.
Zico
Zico, called the “White Pelé,” is one of football’s greatest number 10s. A brilliant attacking midfielder from Brazil, Zico was also one of the best free-kick takers ever, scoring over 60 official goals from direct free kicks.
He played for Brazil in three World Cups (1978, 1982, and 1986) and scored 48 goals in 71 matches for his national team, making him Brazil’s fifth-highest scorer.
Though he never won a World Cup, Zico’s skill and leadership made him a legend, especially in the highly talented 1982 Brazil squad, regarded as one of the best teams ever. After his playing career, Zico became a coach, leading Japan in the 2006 World Cup and winning the 2004 Asian Cup.
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Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho, a former Brazilian attacking midfielder and winger, is famous for his incredible dribbling, skillful tricks, and amazing free kicks. Known as “The Wizard,” he won two FIFA World Player of the Year awards and a Ballon d’Or.
Ronaldinho’s career began at Grêmio before moving to Paris Saint-Germain and then Barcelona, where he won two La Liga titles and the 2006 UEFA Champions League. At Barcelona, his creativity and flair changed the club’s history, earning him standing ovations from rival fans.
Later, he won Serie A with AC Milan and the Copa Libertadores with Atlético Mineiro. Ronaldinho earned 97 caps for Brazil, winning the 2002 World Cup and the 1999 Copa América.
Roberto Baggio
Roberto Baggio was an Italian attacking midfielder and second striker known for his amazing technique, dribbling, and deadly free kicks. Nicknamed “Il Divin Codino” (“The Divine Ponytail”), he is considered one of the greatest playmakers in football history.
Baggio played for top Italian clubs like Juventus and Fiorentina, winning two Serie A titles, a Coppa Italia, and a UEFA Cup. He scored over 300 career goals and is one of the top scorers in Serie A history.
Baggio played 56 games for Italy and scored 9 goals in World Cups, making him Italy’s top World Cup scorer alongside Paolo Rossi and Christian Vieri. He led Italy to the 1994 World Cup final and won the Silver Ball for best player in the tournament.
Francesco Totti
Francesco Totti is a legendary Italian playmaker who spent his entire career at Roma, becoming the club’s all-time top scorer and most capped player. Totti played mainly as an attacking midfielder or forward. He scored 250 goals in Serie A, making him the second-highest scorer in Italian league history.
Totti led Roma to win a Serie A title, two Coppa Italia trophies, and two Supercoppa Italiana titles. He is the youngest captain in Serie A history and earned nicknames like “Il Capitano” (The Captain).
Totti won the 2006 FIFA World Cup with Italy and was part of the Euro 2000 and 2002 World Cup squads. He received many awards, including the European Golden Shoe in 2007 and multiple Italian Footballer of the Year honors.
Michel Platini
With outstanding skill, tactical vision, and a natural goals threat, Michel Platini is regarded as one of the all-time great number 10s He played for Nancy, Saint-Étienne, and Juventus, where he was a top scorer and helped Juventus win the European Cup in 1985.
Platini won the Serie A Golden Boot three times in a row. For France, Platini was the star of the 1984 European Championship, becoming the top scorer and best player.
He was also instrumental in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, reaching the semi-finals. After retiring, he became France’s coach and later UEFA president.
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Neymar Jr.
Neymar Jr. is one of football’s most talented number 10s. He started his career at Santos, winning the Copa Libertadores, and became a key player. Later, at Barcelona, Neymar formed a deadly attacking trio with Messi and Suárez, helping the team win the treble: La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Champions League.
He was the top scorer in both the Champions League and Copa del Rey that season. In 2017, Neymar became the world’s most expensive player when he moved to Paris Saint-Germain.
He helped PSG win five Ligue 1 titles and led them to their first Champions League final in 2020. Neymar is Brazil’s second most-capped player and their all-time top scorer with 79 goals. He also captained Brazil to Olympic gold in 2016.
Luka Modrić
Luka Modrić is one of the greatest midfielders in football history, having begun his career at Dinamo Zagreb before moving to Tottenham Hotspur, where he helped the team qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in decades.
In 2012, Modrić signed with Real Madrid and won six Champions League titles and four La Liga trophies. In 2018, Modrić won the Ballon d’Or, breaking the long streak of Messi and Ronaldo. He has been included multiple times in the FIFPRO World 11 and UEFA Team of the Year for his playmaking skills.
Modrić has also captained Croatia in many major tournaments, leading them to the 2018 World Cup final and winning the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. In 2025, he joined AC Milan, continuing to impress as a top playmaker and leader.
Kenneth is a an avid soccer follower, fan and writer. He is a consistent follower of the sport and is a fan of Chelsea FC.