The number 10 is one of the most iconic jerseys in the world of soccer. A lot of great soccer players in the history of soccer have worn this jersey. The player who has made the ‘number 10’ jersey more and more popular in this modern era of soccer is none other than Lionel Messi. The Argentine soccer legend is considered to be arguably the greatest soccer player of all time.
In soccer, a player’s jersey number often represents their role on the field. For instance, the number 1 jersey is traditionally worn by the team’s goalkeeper. The number 3 or number 4 jersey can always be seen on a defender’s back. The number 9 signifies a striker or a center-forward, and the number 6 or number 8 signifies a midfielder. However, the number 10 is the most prestigious number of all.
The history of jersey numbers goes back to Australia in 1911 when numbers were used for the first time in the history of soccer during a match between Sydney Leichhardt and HMS Powerful. Argentina was the next country to use jersey numbers in 1923, followed by the USA in 1924. England, which is considered to be the birthplace of modern football, started to use jersey numbers in 1928. As the years have gone by, the jersey number is used to find out or denote the position of a player on the soccer field.
Significance of jersey number 10
The number 10 jersey brings about a sense of respect. A classic number 10 represents much more than a player’s position on the pitch. Basically, the number 10 of a team is usually the attacking midfielder of a team. The one who plays just behind the team’s striker and just in front of the team’s midfield.
The number 10 is considered to be the architect of the team. They not only score goals but also create goals for the team. If we consider the entire soccer team to be a symphony, then the number 10 is the conductor of the symphony. The number 10’s job is to take the ball in between the lines from the midfield and make the defining defense-splitting pass for the striker to score a goal.
Lionel Messi refusing to take his iconic number 10 From Neymar in Psg after it was offered to him multiple times. Its so amazing how he is this humble while being the GOAT football pic.twitter.com/8kLqzIII3H
— V ✪ (@vinarr__) August 10, 2021
Lionel Messi is the perfect embodiment of what the number 10 jersey represents in modern football. The diminutive left-footed magician is one of the best goal-scorers of all time. In addition to that, Lionel Messi is also the player with the most assists in the history of soccer. Messi has made the number 10 more and more popular, wearing it in the Argentina national team as well as during his stint in Barcelona. Currently, at his new club, Messi wears the number 30
Besides Lionel Messi, which soccer legends had Jersey number 10
There’s a long list of great and legendary soccer players who have worn jersey number 10. Each of these players has created and left behind a unique legacy that soccer fans still look up to till date.
Pele was probably the first soccer player who made the number 10 so iconic. The Brazilian legend, 82 years old now, is a three-times-winner of the FIFA World Cup. He is also the idol of many great players in the history of soccer. He is nicknamed, “The King”, as a mark of honor and respect for the magic he created on the pitch almost 60 years ago.
Diego Maradona is also one of the most iconic soccer players ever to wear the number 10 on his back. Maradona led his country, Argentina, almost single-handedly to World Cup glory in 1986. His time in Napoli, a Serie A club, is also the stuff of legends. Lionel Messi has often said that he considers Diego Maradona to be his idol.
There are also other great soccer legends like Alfredo Di Stefano, Michel Platini, Ronaldinho, and so on who have all made the number 10 jersey more iconic.