If you are watching football’s biggest tournaments, you may have noticed that many of the game’s greatest stars including Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr. and Kylian Mbappé often wear the iconic No. 10 jersey.
Unlike many other sports where jersey numbers are simply identifiers, in football the No. 10 carries a symbolic status associated with creativity, leadership and excellence.
The tradition of numbered jerseys in football is believed to have begun in 1911 in Australia, when players were first identified by numbers during matches. The practice later spread to Argentina in 1923, the United States in 1924 and England in 1928.
Initially, numbers were linked to specific playing positions on the field. The No. 10 shirt was typically assigned to the attacking midfielder or playmaker the player responsible for creating goal-scoring opportunities and linking midfield play with attack.
Over time, this role became associated with the team’s most technically gifted and influential player, making the No. 10 shirt a symbol of excellence rather than just a position.
Legendary footballers such as Pelé and Diego Maradona helped elevate the number’s status by making it synonymous with brilliance on the pitch.
In modern football, the No. 10 is no longer strictly tied to a position, but it still represents a player who can score goals, create chances and influence the outcome of a match. However, experts note that wearing the number also brings added pressure and expectations rather than guaranteed success.
