Making a list of Great Number 10

[Excape Goat]

I do not mean players who wore number 10, but played in the true #10 position. So Figo who wore #10 at Real Madrid should not count.

1) Pelel
2) Maradona
3) Platini
4) Puskas(not sure whether he was a true #10 even through he wore #10.
5) Zidane
6) Best(I actualsee Puskas)
7) Zico
8) Ronaldinho
9) Gullit(true #10???)
10) Rivera

any more???

[Gregoriak]

Not George Best.

For Germany, the two greatest #10s were Wolfgang Overath and Günter Netzer.

[babaorum]

Kopa, Giresse

[squidward123]

For Germany, the two greatest #10s were Wolfgang Overath and Günter Netzer.

schuster too

also matthaus

beckenbauer deserves to be up there too

[Gregoriak]

schuster too

also matthaus

beckenbauer deserves to be up there too

I wouldn't classify Bernd Schuster as a number 10. Maybe he played in that position in Spain but for Germany, he was more of a defensive midfielder and also played in central defense.

Lothar Matthäus started out as a number 6 and only later wore the number 10 shirt. He was in fact a new kind of number 10, not the traditional playmaker associated with that number.

Beckenbauer had everything required of a number 10, but he chose not to play in that position. In the 1960s, a number 10 player was classified as an inside forward. Beckenbauer never really played as a forward and in the 1970s, the number 10 player became synonymous with the central attacking midfielder. Also not a position Beckenbauer played in (although for Bayern he actually often played in midfield as they lacked a playmaker in midfield and if the opponent allowed it, Beckenbauer moved up front very often to fill the void).

[squidward123]

I wouldn't classify Bernd Schuster as a number 10. Maybe he played in that position in Spain but for Germany, he was more of a defensive midfielder and also played in central defense.

Yeah I meant in spain. He qualifies as he is german after all ;). Even though the bastard decided not to play.

For germany hansi muller was #10; how do you rate him?

In madrid they used to say schuster wore a glove on his foot, not a boot.


Lothar Matthäus started out as a number 6 and only later wore the number 10 shirt. He was in fact a new kind of number 10, not the traditional playmaker associated with that number.

But it was close enough right?


Beckenbauer had everything required of a number 10, but he chose not to play in that position. In the 1960s, a number 10 player was classified as an inside forward. Beckenbauer never really played as a forward and in the 1970s, the number 10 player became synonymous with the central attacking midfielder. Also not a position Beckenbauer played in (although for Bayern he actually often played in midfield as they lacked a playmaker in midfield and if the opponent allowed it, Beckenbauer moved up front very often to fill the void).

By #10 I mean the player that gets the ball through the middle area anywhere from deep to near the box and distributes/dribbles and makes the right play. No matter where he was nominally supposed to play.

Ok, he was never the nominal #10 for germany when he played libero for them, but when he played in midfield, what would you call his role? Even then he did have overath alongside him.

[nekkibasara]

Gunther Netzer should be on that list.

[squidward123]

Gunther Netzer should be on that list.

ronaldinho shouldn't, and overath also should be.

schuster too should be there.

[Berean Todd]

'il codino divino', Roberto Baggio. Nearly willed a markedly average Italy side to the 94 World Cup title, and would have made more noise at the international level if he hadn't gotten screwed out of caps by some awful coaches we had.

[squidward123]

'il codino divino', Roberto Baggio. Nearly willed a markedly average Italy side to the 94 World Cup title, and would have made more noise at the international level if he hadn't gotten screwed out of caps by some awful coaches we had.

that's true. baggio was awesome. it's too difficult to make a list of just 10 players, but ronaldinho and best should not be there.

ronaldinho because he has only played a few years and has not shone internationally, and he is overrated by the media when his actual role is much smaller than that made out.

best because he was not that much of a team player, and a playmaker's first eye is for a pass. Not a dribble or a goal. So he shouldn't be here as a playmaker

[Excape Goat]

Ronaldinho made plenty of highlight films. He has not earned his place yet.

[squidward123]

Ronaldinho made plenty of highlight films. He has not earned his place yet.

well you put him there

[dor02]

From Italy, there's Roby Baggio, Valentino Mazzola, Sandro Mazzola, Rivera, Totti and Del Piero. Giuseppe Meazza was a number 9 but he had the skills of number 10.

Puskas was a number 10 but although Gullit had the skills of a number 10, it's not easy how you would describe him as. I'd label him as a number 10 on the basis of his Milan days. Best would be better suited to a list of number 7s.

Di Stefano should make this list. He played in the same spot as a number 9 but he played like a revolutionised number 10.

[futbol_Jonz]

how about Rivelino. the amazing brazilian who played for the samba boys in the 70's. He is considered one of the best brazilians ever, alongside pele, garrincha and zico. He was the player who invented "the elastico" a.k.a the flip flap. You know the move you always see ronaldinho doing in the hilite reels.
another great number ten from the 70's and 80's was an argentinian by the name of Ricardo Bochini. this bald headed genius played for independiente (these were the days were argie clubs could afford to keep their stars from playing abroad) He led independiente to 8 international titles during his playing career.(he retired in 1991) and the team has never been the same since.

[dor02]

rivelino is a number 11, not number 10

[futbol_Jonz]

rivelino is a number 11, not number 10

After the retirement of Pele, Rivelino succeeded his number 10 shirt and was the main player for the Brazilian team in 1974. Even without most of his illustrious teammates of the 1970 team, Rivelino still showed his class and produced magic.

[dor02]

If we are talking about the greatest in that role or at least well-known for it, I don't think Rivelino fits in this thread despite his talent. If we ware talking about players who did play there in one time of their career, then maybe he has a case.

[celito]

that's true. baggio was awesome. it's too difficult to make a list of just 10 players, but ronaldinho and best should not be there.

ronaldinho because he has only played a few years and has not shone internationally, and he is overrated by the media when his actual role is much smaller than that made out.

best because he was not that much of a team player, and a playmaker's first eye is for a pass. Not a dribble or a goal. So he shouldn't be here as a playmaker

I 2nd Baggio. Definite 10.

As for Ronaldinho ... he is a team player for Barcelona. He has many assists and more often than not is looking for a pass as opposed to a dribble. At least in the last 3 years. The only reason I don't consider him the traditional number 10 is that he seems to play mainly from the left midfield. For me, the true number 10 plays in the middle falling to the left and right.

[squidward123]

I 2nd Baggio. Definite 10.

As for Ronaldinho ... he is a team player for Barcelona. He has many assists and more often than not is looking for a pass as opposed to a dribble. At least in the last 3 years. The only reason I don't consider him the traditional number 10 is that he seems to play mainly from the left midfield. For me, the true number 10 plays in the middle falling to the left and right.

Also because he doesn't control the flow so much. Deco and Xavi do that. Traditional playmakers as you said control the flow because traditionally the ball is played through the middle, not this "get it wide and swing in the crosses son" stuff :D

I think diego is a traditonal playmaker who will be the next zico

[celito]

Also because he doesn't control the flow so much. Deco and Xavi do that. Traditional playmakers as you said control the flow because traditionally the ball is played through the middle, not this "get it wide and swing in the crosses son" stuff :D

I think diego is a traditonal playmaker who will be the next zico

Excellent point. However, Diego will never be like Zico. Diego has good vision but he is too slow. Zico was much quicker and a much better dribbler.