Football and the significance of Jersey #10

The tradition of numbering players has gone on to become one of the most symbolic things in the world of football. 

Whenever a new signing is announced by the club, fans look forward to the jersey number that is given to him. 

Whatever may be the role, the footballing world has seen the best players ever to grace the field don the number 10 jersey for either their club or country or both. 

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The No. 7 was often associated with a fast, pacy winger or the No. 9 was a number reserved for a goalscorer, the No. 10 is associated with the best, most influential player of the team.

So, let's look at the all-time greats to have donned the number 10 jersey

1. Lionel Messi: The Argentine forward might not have played in a traditional number 10 position in his career but he embodies the fundamental idea of having the number 10 on his back. It is said that the best player in a team usually wears the coveted 10 and who else is better than "La Pulga". However, many critics have said that Messi cannot be termed 'the best of all-time' without a World Cup to his name. 

2. Diego Maradona: The retired Argentine footballer was a saviour to his country, and to his clubs, Napoli and Boca Juniors. Maradona was a one-man army and he succeeded in becoming one of the best ever to grace the world. Sporting the number 10 jersey, he scored many magical goals which included the 'goal of the century' against England in 1986. The Argentinian legend was a classic number 10, a perfect player whose dribbling was second to none. 

3. Pele: The Brazilian footballer who played as a forward was the first superstar of world football and captured the imagination with his brilliant goal scoring feats and amazing trickery. He donned the number 10 jersey for Brazil for whom he won a record three World Cups. Brazil with Pele in the side is often termed as the best team of all-time, and the attacking quality in that team is still unmatched by any team since then. Pele was called the 'King of Football' for his sublime goal tally coupled with his trophy cabinet

4. Zinedine Zidane: The Frenchman was as elegant a footballer as one ever saw and was one of the best-attacking midfielders of his generation. His goal for Real Madrid in the Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen in 2002 still remains one of the best goals ever. Late legend Alfredo Di Stefano once described the former Real Madrid great: "He makes it worthwhile going into the stadium." Such was the aura and elegance of the man who sadly ended his career with a sending off in the 2006 World Cup final against Italy. 

5. Zico: He was one of the best playmakers to ever play football. His vision coupled with his brilliant finishing made him Brazil's talisman in the late 1970s and early 1980s. During this period, he was considered the best player in the world by football fans and critics. The Brazil team of the 70s and 80s put on quite a show with their flair and class, and Zico was at the helm of the side playing as a number 10. Zico played in a number 10 position for Brazil but remains one of the best players to have never won the World Cup. 

6. Ronaldinho: He donned many jersey numbers throughout his career but his standout years came at Barcelona where he sported number 10. The silky, flashy playmaker was an idol to an entire generation and also brought out a change in fortunes for the Catalans. He was FIFA's Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005 and also won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002. Ronaldinho did not score 30 goals a season or brilliant work rate in his career, but he was everyone's favourite whenever he entered the ground. 

7. Michel Platini: His prolific goalscoring made him one of the best footballers of his generation. Playing in the number 10 role, Platini achieved great heights at Saint-Etienne and Juventus while also playing a major role in France's 1984 Euro win. The Frenchman won three consecutive Ballon d’Ors from 19083-85 and was also adjudged French Player of the Century in 1999.