Soccer Jersey 10: Top 10 Iconic Players Who Made This Number Legendary
I remember the first time I pulled on a number 10 jersey - it felt heavier than any other shirt I'd worn before. There's something magical about that double-digit number that carries more weight than the fabric itself. As we approach April 9th, when Marcial confirmed the names will be announced (or the weekend nearest that date), I can't help but reflect on the legendary players who've transformed this number into football's most iconic symbol. Having followed football for over two decades and analyzed countless matches, I've developed a personal theory about what makes the number 10 so special - it's not just about skill, but about changing how we perceive the game itself.
When I think about true number 10s, my mind immediately goes to Diego Maradona. The Argentine genius didn't just wear the number - he embodied it in ways that still give me chills when I rewatch old footage. His 91 goals for Napoli across 259 appearances only tell part of the story. What really defined Maradona's relationship with the number 10 was how he made everyone around him better while simultaneously being the focal point of every attack. I've spent hours studying his movement patterns, and what strikes me most is how he created space where none existed. That famous 1986 World Cup goal against England - the one where he dribbled past five English players - wasn't just individual brilliance, it was the ultimate expression of what the number 10 represents: complete mastery over the game's tempo and geometry.
Then there's Pelé, the man who arguably started it all. The Brazilian legend scored 1,281 goals in 1,363 games according to official records, though I've always been fascinated by the debate around these numbers. What's undeniable is how he transformed the number from just another shirt into a symbol of creative leadership. I've spoken with older fans who watched him play, and they describe an almost mystical quality to his game that statistics can't capture. His performance in the 1970 World Cup final, where he didn't score but orchestrated Brazil's entire attacking play, perfectly demonstrates why the number 10 became synonymous with football intelligence rather than just goal-scoring prowess.
Lionel Messi represents the modern evolution of the number 10. Having watched his entire career unfold, I'm convinced he's redefined what's possible for the position. His 672 goals for Barcelona across 778 appearances create an impressive statistic, but what truly amazes me is his consistency at the highest level for over 15 years. I remember arguing with colleagues about whether Messi could ever fill Maradona's shoes - well, he didn't just fill them, he added new dimensions to the role. The way he combines playmaking with goal-scoring at such an elite level in both club and international football (remember his 91 goals in a single calendar year back in 2012?) makes him the complete package.
Zinedine Zidane brought a different kind of elegance to the number 10. The French maestro might not have Messi's goal numbers (he scored about 125 career goals), but his impact on big games was phenomenal. I'll never forget watching the 2002 Champions League final live - that stunning volley against Bayer Leverkusen remains the most technically perfect goal I've ever seen. Zidane proved that the number 10 could be about moments of pure genius rather than constant statistical production.
Michel Platini was before my time, but studying his game footage reveals why he belongs on this list. The Frenchman scored 72 goals in 104 appearances for France, but more importantly, he demonstrated how a number 10 could control games through passing range and tactical intelligence. His performance in the 1984 European Championship, where he scored 9 goals in 5 games, still stands as one of the greatest individual tournament performances in history.
Roberto Baggio's relationship with the number 10 fascinates me because it's so human. The Divine Ponytail scored 318 career goals and won the Ballon d'Or in 1993, but what I find most compelling is how he carried the hopes of a nation. That missed penalty in the 1994 World Cup final somehow made him more relatable while never diminishing his technical brilliance. It reminds us that even legends are human.
When I analyze Ronaldinho's peak years at Barcelona (2003-2006), I see a player who played with pure joy. His 94 goals in 207 appearances for the club don't tell the full story of how he revolutionized the number 10 role with his flair and unpredictability. I've never seen another player who could make the impossible look so effortless while smiling throughout.
As we await the new names that Marcial promised would be announced around April 9th, I can't help but wonder who will next inherit this legendary number. The modern game has seen the traditional number 10 role evolve, with teams often preferring multiple creative players rather than relying on a single playmaker. Yet the magic remains. Having watched generations of football, I believe the number 10 will always represent something special - that perfect blend of creativity, vision, and the ability to decide games. The upcoming announcement makes this the perfect moment to celebrate these legends while looking forward to who might join their ranks. The number isn't just about past glory; it's about continuing a tradition that makes football the beautiful game we all love.
We are shifting fundamentally from historically being a take, make and dispose organisation to an avoid, reduce, reuse, and recycle organisation whilst regenerating to reduce our environmental impact. We see significant potential in this space for our operations and for our industry, not only to reduce waste and improve resource use efficiency, but to transform our view of the finite resources in our care.
Looking to the Future
By 2022, we will establish a pilot for circularity at our Goonoo feedlot that builds on our current initiatives in water, manure and local sourcing. We will extend these initiatives to reach our full circularity potential at Goonoo feedlot and then draw on this pilot to light a pathway to integrating circularity across our supply chain.
The quality of our product and ongoing health of our business is intrinsically linked to healthy and functioning ecosystems. We recognise our potential to play our part in reversing the decline in biodiversity, building soil health and protecting key ecosystems in our care. This theme extends on the core initiatives and practices already embedded in our business including our sustainable stocking strategy and our long-standing best practice Rangelands Management program, to a more a holistic approach to our landscape.
We are the custodians of a significant natural asset that extends across 6.4 million hectares in some of the most remote parts of Australia. Building a strong foundation of condition assessment will be fundamental to mapping out a successful pathway to improving the health of the landscape and to drive growth in the value of our Natural Capital.
Our Commitment
We will work with Accounting for Nature to develop a scientifically robust and certifiable framework to measure and report on the condition of natural capital, including biodiversity, across AACo’s assets by 2023. We will apply that framework to baseline priority assets by 2024.
Looking to the Future
By 2030 we will improve landscape and soil health by increasing the percentage of our estate achieving greater than 50% persistent groundcover with regional targets of:
– Savannah and Tropics – 90% of land achieving >50% cover
– Sub-tropics – 80% of land achieving >50% perennial cover
– Grasslands – 80% of land achieving >50% cover
– Desert country – 60% of land achieving >50% cover
