If you go on Google and search for different “Top 10” lists of the best plyers in the history of football, you will find many players in common within all of these lists, but the names will not be the only thing in common, because there is another special one that catches the eye, the number 10 on the jersey. Those who have not competed may say that it is just a number, but us who have played at competition level remember that when the coach ask you which number you wanted it was your first choice.
This number has been desired by anyone who wants to stand out as the star of the team, which is proved by the history of this sport. That is why we introduce to you this list of the 10 best 10s that have made it the most demanded number.
1. PELÉ
Ederson Arantes do Nascimento, aka “Pele”, considered by many as the best player of all time, he is the only one in our list and the history of football with 3 World Cup titles (1958, 1962, 1970). In 2014 FIFA gave him the honorary Ballon D´Or. Until 1995 it was only awarded to European players.
2. MARADONA
Diego Armando Maradona “The Golden Boy” he is considered a “God” in his native country, Argentina and he is guilty for the eternal argument of who is the best, Pele or Maradona?. He won the World Cup in 1986, and left us with a historic play, “The hand of God”, a goal against England´s national team, during the quarterfinals that gave the lead to the Argentinians.
3. MESSI
Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini “The Flea” the only player in our list to win more than 3 Ballon D´Or titles, and he has a total of 5. At club´s level he has won absolutely everything, however he has yet to win a title with Argentina´s national team, reason why he has not been able to replace his countryman, Maradona, as the Argentinian “God”.
4. RONALDINHO
Ronaldo de Assis Moreira “Ronaldinho Gaúcho” without a doubt the most charismatic player in our list. He was able to help FC Barcelona win La liga, and the 2006 Champions League after a few years performing poorly before his arrival. Unfortunately, his life outside the football pitch did not allow him to stay on the top for a long time.
5. ZIDANE
Zinédine Yazid Zidane “Zizou”, led France to conquer the 1998 World Cup, thanks to that and many other merits he won the Ballon D´Or that same year. During the 2001-2002 season he was the hero after scoring one of the best goals ever scored in a Champions League final, that gave the title to Real Madrid.
6. PUSKAS
Ferenc Purczeld Bíró, aka, “Puskas”. Recognized as one of the best players in the history by UEFA and FIFA, he conquered, among other titles, 3 European Cups alongside Alfredo Di Stefano for Real Madrid, plus 4 Pichichi (top La Liga scorer) Trophies. Also since the 2009/2010 FIFA gives the “Puskas Award” every year to the author of the best goal of the year as a tribute to the Hungarian player.
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7. PLATINI
Michel Fraçois Platini. Many of you probably know him as the President of UEFA, nowadays he is on the news everyday, but his career as a football player in impressive. He won a Euro Cup with France, several titles at club level, 3 times top scorer in the Serie A (Italy), and a total of 3 consecutive Ballon D´Or awards.
8. EUSEBIO
Eusébio Da Silva Ferreira, “The Black Panther”. The Portuguese player, of African origins, has been recognized as one of the best football players in the history. He won one Ballon D´Or, two Golden Boots, 11 Portuguese League titles with Benfica, and European Champion with the same club in 1962.
9. ZICO
Arthur Antunes Coimbra, better known as “Zico” or “White Pele”. This Brazilian player has numerous titles with Flamengo, as well as several Brazilian Championship Top Scorer Trophies. After his retirement as professional player, he decided to continue his career as a coach in the Turkish, Russian, and Uzbek leagues among others.
10. Lothar Matthaüs
Lothar Herbert Matthaüs, former player and currently a coach. He is the player holding the most matches played in World Cups, with a total of 25 matches played in 5 World Cups. We will not find any Ballon D´Or awards in his track record, but he did win one Euro Cup and on one World Cup with Germany, plus several Bundesliga (Germany) titles.
What do you think about our list? What players would you add? We look forward to read your comments!
