in soccer, the number 10 is more than just a number: it’s a badge of honor reserved for team aces, playmakers, and game-changing creative geniuses, and it’s a historic number that has been worn by countless soccer legends. it’s usually given to star players in their prime, but sometimes it’s carried by a young soccer prospect with overwhelming talent. here are five players who wore the number 10 jersey at a young age and took the world by storm, according to Sports Illustrated.

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cesc Fabregas (Spain, age 21)

in the golden age of Spanish soccer, the “invincibles” that included legends like Xavi, Iniesta, and Torres, the number 10 was surprisingly held by a 21-year-old Fabregas. he inherited the number 10 ahead of the 2008 Euros, and was already a star in the making at Arsenal – the midfield maestro played a key role in Spain’s victory, scoring one goal and providing three assists in all competitions.

neymar Junior (Brazil, age 21)

brazil’s No. 10, following in the footsteps of Pele and Ronaldinho. the iconic jersey was awarded to a 21-year-old Neymar in 2013, when he led his country to victory at the Confederations Cup with four goals and two assists, most notably a spectacular goal in the final against Spain that signaled the beginning of his era.

lionel Messi (FC Barcelona, age 21)

when Ronaldinho left Barcelona in the 2008-09 season, the number 10 shirt was handed down to 21-year-old Lionel Messi. In that season, Messi became one of the best players in the world and Barcelona won a historic treble under Pep Guardiola. messi’s No. 10 became a symbol of one of the greatest eras in Barcelona’s history.

kylian Mbappe (France, age 19)

at the 2018 World Cup, 19-year-old Mbappe inherited France’s No. 10 jersey from Zidane and Platini. Undaunted by the weight of being the youngest player ever to wear the number 10, he led France to the world championship with four goals and one assist. Notably, his final goal was the first World Cup final goal scored by a teenager since Pele.

pele (Brazil, age 17)

ironically, Pele, the man responsible for making the number 10 a myth, received it by accident: during the 1958 World Cup, the organizers randomly assigned numbers and the number 10 went to a then-unknown 17-year-old boy. Pele went on to lead Brazil to three World Cup titles, making the number 10 the most sacred number in soccer.

frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q. Why is the number 10 so special?

A. Because it has traditionally been the number of the key player who directs a team’s attack, the playmaker. With some of the greatest players in soccer history wearing the number 10, including Pele, Maradona, and Zidane, it has become a symbol of skill, creativity, and leadership.

Q. when did Lionel Messi start wearing the number 10?

A. At club level, he inherited the number 10 from Ronaldinho at FC Barcelona in the 2008-09 season, when he was 21 years old. For the Argentina national team, he wore the number 10 even earlier.

Q. do other positions have iconic shirts?

A. Yes, the number 1 for the goalkeeper, the number 4 or 5 for the leader of the defense, the number 9 for the striker, the team’s main weapon, and the numbers 7 and 11, favored by speedy wingers, are considered iconic for each position.