The 12 Greatest No. 10s in World Cup History

The No. 10 shirt carries the weight of a nation's creativity — ranking the playmakers who wore it best on football's biggest stage.

1

Pelé

Brazil's No. 10 won three World Cups and is the defining icon of the shirt.

2

Diego Maradona

Wore 10 as he dragged Argentina to the 1986 title almost single-handedly.

3

Zinedine Zidane

France's No. 10 starred in the 1998 triumph and the 2006 run to the final.

4

Lionel Messi

Argentina's No. 10 finally lifted the World Cup in 2022 after a tournament for the ages.

5

Michel Platini

France's elegant No. 10 illuminated the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.

6

Rivaldo

Brazil's No. 10 was a creative driving force of the 2002 winning side.

7

Roberto Baggio

Italy's Divine Ponytail carried his team to the 1994 final in the No. 10 shirt.

8

Rivelino

Brazil's moustachioed No. 10 was a star of the dazzling 1970 champions.

9

Wesley Sneijder

Netherlands' No. 10 was the engine of the 2010 run to the final.

10

Diego Forlán

Uruguay's No. 10 won the Golden Ball at the 2010 World Cup.

11

Luka Modric

Croatia's No. 10 won the 2018 Golden Ball leading his country to the final.

12

James Rodriguez

Colombia's No. 10 lit up the 2014 World Cup with six goals and the Golden Boot.