The best numbers 10s in football history - past and present | OneFootball

There has always been a mystique surrounding those who have operated in the number 10 role.

Ethereal playmakers and relentless goal-getters, many of the game's all-time greats have functioned in the position, capturing the imagination of supporters like few others. Floating behind a striker and pulling the strings in the final third, their flair and technical prowess has often appeared otherworldly.

The glamour of the number 10 role has diminished in a modern era that prioritises systems and tactical organisation over individual brilliance and raw genius. However, there remain those who sparkle in such a capacity, emulating the roaming superstars of yesteryear.

Here are the best number 10s - both past and present.

Greatest past number 10s

10. Dennis Bergkamp

Bergkamp stunned English audiences / Mike Hewitt/GettyImages

Scorer of one of the greatest goals in football history, Dennis Bergkamp was an astonishingly gifted footballer. The 'Non-Flying Dutchman' carved an impressive name for himself at Ajax with his quick feet and knack for the spectacular, winning multiple domestic and European trophies with the Amsterdam club before a move to Inter.

Bergkamp's spell in Milan was short but he quickly found a long-term home in north London. Signing for Arsenal in 1995 and sticking around at Highbury for over a decade, the attacking midfielder was instrumental in Arsene Wenger's swashbuckling Gunners winning three Premier League titles. The Dutchman's remarkable first touch and exceptional passing ability won him plenty of admirers.

9. Zico

Zico is a Brazilian icon / Alessandro Sabattini/GettyImages

A certain Brazilian (we'll get to him) is widely considered his country's greatest ever talent, but Zico isn't too far off his compatriot. The boundlessly creative number 10 filled Pele's shoes on the international stage with his wizardry, even if the trophies weren't as forthcoming during his era.

An orthodox number 10, Zico was as prolific as he was creative and remains Flamengo's all-time top goalscorer with 508 strikes. With an eye for a defence-splitting pass and the ability to leather home a free kick, the Brazil star had all the skills required of an elite attacking midfielder.

8. Alfredo Di Stefano

Di Stefano was part of an all-conquering Real Madrid team / STAFF/GettyImages

"I had never seen such a complete footballer," said 1966 World Cup winner Bobby Charlton of Alfredo Di Stefano. "It was as though he had set up his own command centre at the heart of the game. He was as strong as he was subtle. The combination of qualities was mesmerising."

Di Stefano, who won the Ballon d'Or twice, had a similar impact on others fortunate enough to witness his genius in the 1950s and '60s. The Real Madrid icon was a ruthless goalscorer yet offered poise and delicateness in a shadow striker role, forming a wonderful relationship with Ferenc Puskas.

Few have been able to eclipse Di Stefano in the years since his retirement.

7. Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho always played with a smile / Luis Bagu/GettyImages

Football was seldom as joyous as when Ronaldinho had the ball nestled at his feet. The Brazilian's sheer love of the game was infectious, with his flicks, tricks and kicks inspiring a generation of budding young footballers.

Ronaldinho peaked with Barcelona and Brazil in the early to mid-noughties, securing the 2002 World Cup before scooping the Ballon d'Or three years later. The nimble and fleet-footed South American had crowds perched on the edge of their seats throughout an illustrious career.

6. Roberto Baggio

The Divine Ponytail / Mike Hewitt/GettyImages

Setting the 1994 penalty miss in the World Cup final to one side for a moment, few footballers have been able to captivate audiences like Roberto Baggio. Synonymous with the rising prominence of Italian football during the 1980s and '90s, 'The Divine Ponytail' had the technical ability to match his luscious locks.

Baggio never left Italy across a glistening career that spanned over two decades, representing the nation's giants in Inter, Juventus and AC Milan. The trequartista was renowned for his expert creativity, ability to unlock space and capacity to dictate the tempo.

7. Zinedine Zidane

Zidane was exceptional / Tim de Waele/GettyImages

Zinedine Zidane had the intensity of a street footballer, flair of a Brazilian and grace of a ballet dancer, attributes which made him an unstoppable force whether operating as a central midfielder or in a more advanced number 10 function.

The Frenchman's unrivalled ability to power past incoming challenges with the perfect blend of vigour and elegance made him a sight to behold, with goals, assists and trophies all too frequent for the transformative Juventus and Real Madrid hero.

4. Michel Platini

Platini won the Ballon d'Or three times / LAURENT GOMIS/GettyImages

Prior to earning a reputation as a disgraced UEFA president, Michel Platini was heralded as one of the planet's greatest footballers. The three-time Ballon d'Or winner was a trailblazer in French football, leading the way for the likes of Zidane with his irresistible attacking performances in the number 10 position.

An exceptional playmaker and pass master, Platini also possessed a keen eye for goal, evidenced by his nine goals at the 1984 European Championship as France claimed their first major title on the international stage.

3. Johan Cruyff

Cruyff was a magician / VI-Images/GettyImages

A pioneer of 'Total Football' in the 1960s and '70s, few can claim to have been more transformative in the game's history than Johan Cruyff. The late icon dazzled with Ajax and Barcelona, while also carrying the weight of the Netherlands on his shoulders every two years.

Words don't do the extraordinary Dutchman justice as he proved a game-changer on and off the field over the course of his playing and managerial career, with Cruyff the conductor in some of the 20th century's most devastating and well-organised sides.

One of the great playmakers, Cruyff has left a lasting legacy.

2. Diego Maradona

Maradona is one of the all-time greats / Jean-Yves Ruszniewski/GettyImages

Diego Maradona's second strike in Argentina's 1986 World Cup quarter-final win over England is justification enough for his position in the top two. The diminutive magician weaved in and out of countless England challenges to score the greatest goal ever witnessed en route to world domination at the tournament in Mexico.

It was a goal that epitomised Maradona's strengths - close control, powerful strides, body feints, supreme calmness - and the troubled superstar, who had scored the infamous 'Hand of God' goal just four minutes earlier, further cemented his status as a titan of the game on that very day.

1. Pele

Pele was the original GOAT / -/GettyImages

Debates are often had over Maradona and Pele's battle to be crowned the world's best in the pre-Lionel Messi era, but it's the Brazilian who takes ownership of our number one spot. Few can argue against such a standing for the three-time World Cup victor.

One of football's first celebrities and era-defining superstars, Pele was most renowned for his exploits on the international stage with Brazil. The forward performed an array of functions throughout his career, one of which was operating as a second striker or number 10.

Swiftly establishing a reputation as a relentless goalscorer, powerful dribbler and superb playmaker, Pele's genius will never be forgotten.

Best current number 10s

10. Bruno Fernandes

Fernandes has often been a difference-maker for Man Utd / James Gill - Danehouse/GettyImages

It feels a tad unfair to move from the likes of Pele, Maradona and Zidane to Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese is an exceptional talent but he will never reach the same stratosphere as the game's all-time greats.

However, that doesn't detract from his status as one of modern football's leading number 10s, with the Portuguese's ball-striking, work ethic and impressive vision having deservedly earned him the love of the Manchester United faithful.

9. Dani Olmo

Olmo's stock has risen in recent years / Octavio Passos/GettyImages

Dani Olmo's ascent to greatness has been swift but the Spaniard has been a quietly impressive footballer for several years. Learning his trade with RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, Olmo stunned audiences at Euro 2024 with his game-changing displays and earned a move to Barcelona off the back of an incredible tournament.

Olmo is undoubtedly one of football's leading creators and attacking midfielders as things stand, with the Euro 2024 champion boasting the potential to climb this list in the coming years. He may not look like your typical superstar, but he certainly plays like one.

8. Lionel Messi

Messi is the game's GOAT / Marcelo Endelli/GettyImages

Lionel Messi will reside in top spot in our list of greatest ever number 10s when he hangs up his boots, but for now he must accept eighth place in our ranking of current world-beaters. The maestro is an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, World Cup victor and serial European champion, but his powers have waned slightly since the move to Inter Miami.

Regardless, Messi's performances in Major League Soccer and on the international scene with Argentina prove he's still one of the best in the business, with a left foot carved by the gods and an unmatched football brain.

7. Jamal Musiala

Musiala is a star / Adam Pretty/GettyImages

In a decade's time, we could well be talking about Jamal Musiala as one of the game's most distinguished number 10s. The German youngster has already set the Bundesliga alight with his tremendous performances, boasting the under-appreciated ability to beat his marker in a one-v-one and drift into unoccupied space.

The silky Bayern Munich star has gears yet to find and will only rise in these rankings in the coming years should he continue on his current trajectory. Some managerial stability in Bavaria will help him thrive.

Odegaard is essential in north London / Justin Setterfield/GettyImages

At one moment in time, it appeared the long-touted potential of Martin Odegaard was set to fall flat. However, Arsenal took a punt on the ignored Real Madrid wonderkid and were immediately rewarded for their faith by the Norwegian playmaker.

With a left foot to rival the world's best, Odegaard has proven integral to Arsenal's rise under Mikel Arteta, with his creative influence in the final third not to be underestimated. The Gunners are fortunate to have one of modern football's most inventive players in their ranks.

5. Florian Wirtz

Wirtz has shone at Bayer Leverkusen / Jürgen Fromme - firo sportphoto/GettyImages

Bayer Leverkusen's dethroning of Bayern in 2023/24 would not have been possible without Florian Wirtz. The attacking midfielder has long been destined for the upper echelons of football, but he has reached the lofty heights expected of him earlier than expected.

Winning the Bundesliga 2023/24 Player of the Season as he helped guide Leverkusen to their maiden title unbeaten, Wirtz has proven an unabating creator and goalscorer in the German top flight, boasting the slight frame and silky feet of a traditional number 10.

4. Phil Foden

Foden enjoyed a terrific 2023/24 season / Naomi Baker/GettyImages

There remain question marks over Phil Foden's best position but the Manchester City man thrived in an attacking midfield role under Pep Guardiola in 2023/24. Named the Premier League's Player of the Season, the England international proved essential in fighting off another spirited title charge from Arsenal as the Cityzens reigned supreme for a fourth successive campaign.

England rarely produce players of Foden's grace and technical prowess - although they are now inundated with creative stars - and Man City can safely build their future around one of the new generation's best.

3. Kevin De Bruyne

De Bruyne is slowing down / Gualter Fatia/GettyImages

Kevin De Bruyne's body has betrayed him in recent seasons, with injuries denting his impact at the top table. However, when fit and firing, there are few who can better the Belgian's output and ingenuity in the centre of the pitch.

One of the greatest passers the world has ever seen, De Bruyne remains Man City's chief creator when available, unlocking defences with ease and silencing crowds with regular thunderbolts.

He may be slowing down, but he's not done yet.

2. Cole Palmer

Palmer is pure class / Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages

Cole Palmer's arrival at Chelsea wasn't particularly notable. Another £40m splashed on young talent no longer raised eyebrows at Stamford Bridge. However, the deal can now be hailed as one of the best of the past decade, with Palmer exploding into life in the capital.

The former Man City academy product loves operating behind a central striker, finding pockets of space in which he can hurt opposition defences. Whether teeing up teammates or bursting the net himself, Palmer is involved more often than not when Chelsea score.

1. Jude Bellingham

Bellingham has dazzled in Madrid / Diego Souto/GettyImages

Jude Bellingham's debut season at Real Madrid couldn't have gone much better. The Englishman won the Champions League and La Liga during the 2023/24 campaign, making an immediate impact at the Santiago Bernabeu with timely goals and clutch performances.

Such brilliance earned him third place in the 2024 Ballon d'Or vote and the generational talent is among the leading candidates for the individual prize over the coming years. Bellingham is already a superstar and is only going to get better.