In soccer, all eleven players play crucial roles, and their effectiveness relies on one another. Defenders depend on attackers to press opponents high up the field, applying pressure and reducing the time opponents have on the ball, while attackers rely on defenders to maintain a solid foundation at the back.
The midfield serves as the critical link, bridging defense and attack, enabling transitions, and controlling the game’s tempo.
However, there is one role that has evolved to hold a uniquely revered status in the game — a role that, over the years, has symbolized creativity, vision, and flair: the Trequartista, often known as “The Number 10.”
This position has become iconic in football, with its wearers often hailed as the team’s most talented and visionary players. The Number 10 is the team’s playmaker, orchestrating attacks, threading passes, and unlocking defenses with their exceptional ball control and anticipation. Players in this role are granted the freedom to roam, finding space to receive the ball and create opportunities. It’s a role that carries immense responsibility, often dictating the team’s rhythm and becoming the heartbeat of its offensive play.
The list of legends who have worn the Number 10 is long and illustrious—players who have become synonymous with football greatness. If there’s a player often considered the “best in the world,” he likely wore this number for both club and country. Icons like Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Pelé, Zinedine Zidane, and Roberto Mancini, among others, have immortalized this number, transforming it from a mere shirt number into a symbol of artistry and excellence.
Mancini, with his exceptional vision and creativity, played the Number 10 role with style and finesse, leaving an indelible mark on Italian football. The Number 10 has become synonymous with the dreamer on the pitch, the one who sees possibilities others do not, embodying the spirit and beauty of the game itself.
From a Number to an Icon
In modern football, jersey numbers may no longer strictly denote a player’s position, yet the Number 10 remains emblematic of the Trequartista—those who operate in the critical “final third” of the pitch. These players hold immense significance within any team due to their versatility and adaptability. A Number 10 typically roams freely just behind the forward line but can also drop deeper to support the defense when required, embodying a unique blend of creativity and tactical intelligence.
The responsibilities of a Number 10 vary depending on the game’s flow. Often, they serve as the primary playmaker, orchestrating attacks with precise through balls and well-placed crosses. They can also be the team’s sharpest shooters, providing an additional threat with their eye for goal. Whether crafting opportunities for others or finishing chances themselves, the Number 10 is typically the most creative and influential player on the field, adding a layer of unpredictability that challenges even the most disciplined defenses.
Regarding Messi
Although Lionel Messi is not a traditional trequartista, a closer look at his gameplay reveals the essence of a perfect Number 10. During the iconic Guardiola era at Barcelona, Messi often functioned as a false 9, positioning himself just behind the attacking line, which featured the likes of Samuel Eto’o, Thierry Henry, Pedro, or David Villa. His ability to seamlessly switch roles—from the team’s creative nucleus to a lethal goal scorer—made him an extraordinary threat for any opponent. Messi’s fluid movements between playmaker and finisher allowed him to orchestrate play while also positioning himself to score prolifically, embodying the versatility and unpredictability that define the Number 10 role.
