10 greatest players to wear the coveted number 10 jersey
Herbert Chapman, the visionary Arsenal manager, popularised the printing of squad numbers on the back of jerseys in a match way back in 1928 against Sheffield Wednesday. His idea was to create awareness among his players to keep in mind their relative positions on the field.
The numbers were assigned in ascending order starting with the goalkeeper, who wore the number 1 shirt and so on. Those were the days when the 2-3-5 formation was being predominantly used by teams worldwide. Hence the out-and-out strikers of the team wore the numbers 9 and 10 on the back of their shirts.
The tradition of numbering, which was once rejected by England's governing body, has gone on to become one of the most symbolic things that one can relate with a footballer. Whenever a club announces a new signing, fans look forward to the jersey number that is given to him.
This signifies the importance that has been given to these numbers. In the modern footballing world, revenue generated from shirt sales is a significant talking point.
With the evolution of new formations, the roles that were assigned to the previous Chapman squad numbers began to change. One number that was kept reserved for the best player in the team since the 1950s was the number 10. Position wise, this number was associated with a second striker that later got anointed as an attacking midfielder, and also as a trequartista in some formations.
Whatever may be the role, the footballing world has seen the best players ever to grace the field don the number 10 jersey. On that note, let's take a look at ten of the greatest players to wear the number 10 jersey in their illustrious careers.
#10 Francesco Totti
"When you hear about Roma, you think of Totti." The man who is considered as the Gladiator of Italian football and the golden boy of Rome, Francesco Totti was a one-club man in his playing career, wearing his heart on his sleeve for AS Roma.
Totti has played in several interesting systems like playing as a false nine, as a trequartista, a winger and also as an out and out striker. Whatever may be the role, the Italian has shone for his boyhood club whenever he has donned the famous red shirt.
Totti left a lasting legacy at Roma and is sure to go down as one of the greatest players to have donned the famous shirt.
#9 Denis Law
''The Lawman'' as the Old Trafford faithful fondly referred to him, was one of the best players to grace the Theatre of Dreams. Sir Matt Busby has previously called Law the best player he ever managed, which is a huge compliment considering the players the legendary Scotsman has coached.
Law was a hard-working player who always had an eye for goal, which prompted Sir Busby to play him as the second striker. He won the coveted Ballon d'Or back in 1964, donning the number 10 jersey. Alongside George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton, he was also a part of the Manchester United's Holy Trinity of attackers.
#8 Roberto Baggio
The winner of FIFA's World Player of the Year award in 1993, Italian Hall of Famer Roberto Baggio needs no introduction. "Il Divin Codino" - the Divine ponytail as he was fondly called during his playing career, Baggio had an eventful career for club and country.
He had more than 200 Serie A goals to his name and was also one of Italy's top goal scorers with 27 international goals. Baggio sported the number 10 jersey during his spells at Juventus and Inter Milan and also for his national team, Italy.
He played as a second striker or as an attacking midfielder throughout his career. But as luck would have it, despite his immense talent, he will always be remembered for his missed penalty in the 1994 World Cup final against Brazil.
#7 Michel Platini
The Frenchman was one of the best playmakers the beautiful game has ever produced. Along with his creativity, it was his prolific goalscoring which made him one of the best of his generation. Playing in the number 10 role, Platini achieved great heights at Saint-Etienne and Juventus, while also playing a significant role in France's 1984 Euro win.
The Frenchman won three consecutive Ballon d'Or's from 1983-85 and was also adjudged French Player of the Century in 1999. Platini will always be highly regarded on the football pitch as a leader, and a dominant midfield maestro who could paint masterpieces on the field.