Simply put, the number 10 is football’s most revered jersey number and has an aura like no other. The number of the most creative and talented players on the team. Ferenc Puskas, Eusebio, Pele, Diego Maradona, Michel Platini, Ronaldinho, Lionel The shirt worn by his Messi.
It’s a number that has led to books being written solely about its mystique, and a number that has caused lamentation about its declining importance in the modern game. It’s a decent bet that number 10 on the side of is also worth keeping an eye on.
In the interwar period when uniform numbers were introduced, this was vaguely not considered plausible. It was just a way for referees and spectators to identify players.
But when you think of No 10, you instinctively think of South America, especially Argentina. No other No 10 has more fetishism and storytelling as a result of a variety of factors.
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