Soccer, also known as football, is the world’s most popular sport, with an estimated 4 billion fans worldwide.
And over the years, the game has produced some of the most iconic and talented players in the history of sports. One of the most prestigious numbers in soccer is the number 10 shirt, which is traditionally given to the team’s most creative and attacking player. It’s a number that carries a lot of weight and responsibility, and only the best players are chosen to wear it.
The number 10 is traditionally associated with the most creative and influential player on a football team. This player is often referred to as the “playmaker” or “attacking midfielder” and is responsible for controlling the tempo of the game, creating scoring opportunities, and linking the midfield and attack.
In this article, we will be taking a closer look at the best soccer players who wear the number 10 jersey right now for either their football club or country.
These players are not only skilled and talented but also possess a unique creativity and vision that sets them apart from the rest.
From Lionel Messi to Croatian star, Luca Modric, we will explore the different players who have worn this iconic jersey and their impact on the game. We will also take a deep dive into their playing style, statistics, and achievements to understand what makes them stand out.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the exciting world of soccer and explore the players who are making history on the field.
Soccer Players With The Number 10
1. Lionel Messi
Argentina – #10
First on our list is Argentine star and former Barcelona man, Lionel Messi, who is widely regarded as one of the best soccer players of all time, if not even the best of all time.
Messi is an Argentine forward who currently plays for France side, Paris Saint-Germain in the Ligue 1.
Over his 18+ years senior career, he has won numerous awards and accolades, including seven Ballon d’Or titles, and is known for his incredible dribbling skills and goal-scoring abilities.
Lionel Messi is a master of the number 10 jersey, and he continues to prove it with every game he plays with the Argentine national team, and also for his present club, Paris Sainte Germain, albeit he wears the #30 jersey instead.
2. Kylian Mbappe
France – #10
Born on December 1998 in Paris, Kylian Mbappe is undoubtedly one of the most talented football players of this generation.
Since bursting onto the scene as a teenager, he has mesmerized fans around the world with his incredible speed, dribbling ability, and goal-scoring prowess.
Mbappe’s performances have earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Ballon d’Or award in 2021.
He currently wears the number 10 jersey for his country, France. A shirt that has been worn by a lot of other popular and elite French Internationals for the national team.
Kylian Mbappe’s performances in the number 10 jersey have been nothing short of exceptional.
And one of his key performances while wearing the iconic number for his national team came against Argentina in the Qatar World Cup final, where he scored a hattrick for France, including two second-half goals and an extra-time goal.
Aside from this memorable event, he has also scored numerous goals and provided countless assists while wearing this iconic number for his country.
His ability to create scoring opportunities out of seemingly nothing has made him a fan favorite and a nightmare for defenders.
3. Neymar Jr
Paris Saint Germain, Brazil – #10
Neymar Jr. is another player who deserves a mention in this list. The Brazilian forward currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain, and also for the Brazilian national team.
He is unarguably one of the most exciting players to watch on the field. Neymar is known for his dribbling skills, quick feet, and explosive speed, which he uses to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.
He is also an excellent finisher, with a natural ability to find the back of the net.
Neymar’s creativity and skill have earned him comparisons to some of the greatest football players of all time, including his countryman, Pele, and Diego Maradona, who also wore the number 10 jersey.
And while it is still too early to say if Neymar will reach the same level of success or impact as these football legends, he has already proven himself to be one of the most talented players of his generation.
4. Luka Modric
Real Madrid, Croatia – #10
Croatian midfielder, Luka Modric is one of the football players who currently wears the number 10 jersey. He has almost won the shirt number throughout his career and at various clubs, including Real Madrid and the Croatian national team.
As with every other 10, including the older and elite 10 in football history, Luka Modric has lived up to the expectations that come with wearing the shirt number, playing a crucial role for club and country with his vision and technique.
He is one of the football players to win the Ballon d’Or award outside of either Lionel Messi or Ronaldo from 2010 to 2020.
5. Harry Kane
Tottenham Hotspur – #10
Unarguably one of the unluckiest players on this list of best soccer players who wear the number 10 jersey, Harry Kane is one of the players who have won the number 10 jersey for a team and are yet to win a trophy in their career.
Despite this, he is unarguably one of the best. He is a highly versatile player who is capable of playing as a striker, attacking midfielder, or even as a winger.
Kane is widely known for his incredible goal-scoring ability, technical skills, and vision on the field. He has been one of the key players for Tottenham Hotspur, where he is currently their highest-ever goalscorer with over 200+ English premier league goals for the London club.
6. Marcus Rashford
Manchester United – #10
Sixth on our list of best soccer players to wear the number 10 jersey is Manchester United star and England international, Marcus Rashford.
One of the consistent performers for Manchester United, Marcus Rashfordlooks to be following in the path of former Manchester United legends, who have won the number 10 jersey.
This includes the likes of Wayne Rooney, who is the club’s highest goal scorer, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham who also graduated from the club’s academy, and a lot of other elites.
One of the England international’s greatest strengths is his versatility. He is capable of playing on either wing, as a center forward, or even in a deeper attacking midfield role.
His versatility seems to have made him a really valuable asset to the Manchester United team, as he can be deployed in multiple positions depending on the situation.
He has often played as a winger, using his blistering pace and quick feet to beat defenders and create scoring opportunities.
7. Serge Gnabry
Germany – #10
German professional soccer player, Serge Gnabry is one of the players who has gained a reputation as one of the best players to wear the number 10 jersey in modern football.
Currently playing for Bayern Munich, one of the biggest football clubs in Germany. Serge Gnabry has gained a reputation for being the most feared winger in Europe and one of the most sought-after by football clubs.
He currently wears the number 10 jersey for the German national team, where he has been a starter since his debut in 2016. Serge Gnabry’s technical ability includes pace, dribbles, pass and he also has an eye for goal.
8. Sadio Mane
Senegal – #10
Last on our list is former Liverpool man, Sadio Mane. The Senegalese professional footballer who has established himself as one of the best players to wear the number 10 jersey in modern football.
As with most of the other football players on this list, he has won the number 10 shirt number at various clubs, including at Liverpool before he made his move to Bayern Munich, where the shirt number was being won by the former Manchester Cit6 man, Leroy Sane.
A key man in the Senegal national team, Sadio Mane had helped his club to qualify for the 2022 World Cup before he had to miss the competition due to injury.
However, he has also won the African Cup of Nations for his country and was the best African football player in 2019.