No shirt number in world football is as laden with myth, magic and responsibility as the number 10. It stands for the playmaker, the artist, the game-changer – and at a World Cup it is traditionally worn by the player on whose shoulders the hopes of an entire nation rest. With a view to the upcoming final tournament in 2030, it's worth looking back at the most legendary number 10s in World Cup history – and asking who could wear the shirt then.
The myth begins with Pelé. At just 17 years old, he became World Champion with Brazil in 1958 in Sweden; two more titles followed in 1962 and 1970. The legendary team from Mexico 1970 is still considered by many to be one of the greatest teams in football history – with Pelé as its shining centerpiece in the yellow shirt with the number 10. Interestingly, the fact that the number 10 became so closely linked with the best player was actually partly coincidental in 1958. Brazil hadn't submitted its shirt numbers to FIFA in time, so they were assigned randomly. Pelé, who was initially still a substitute, thus received the number 10, which he subsequently turned into a worldwide symbol.
Two decades later, Diego Armando Maradona took over the legacy. His 1986 World Cup in Mexico is considered one of the most outstanding individual performances in World Cup history: the "Hand of God" and the century goal against England, plus the pass for Jorge Burruchaga's winning goal in the final against West Germany. Maradona scored five goals at the tournament and set up five more, and was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.
After Maradona's death, there were repeated debates about symbolically retiring the number 10 in Argentina. However, this was never formally implemented; the number remained in circulation in the national team and was worn by Juan Román Riquelme and Lionel Messi, among others. Other great number 10s shaped the era: Michel Platini was the creative heart of the French national team in the 1980s, led France to the European Championship title in 1984 and to the semi-finals at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Zinédine Zidane crowned the French World Cup triumph in 1998 with two headers in the final against Brazil. Rivaldo, in turn, was part of the Brazilian team around Ronaldo and Ronaldinho in 2002, which won the Seleção's fifth World Cup title in Japan and South Korea.
With Lionel Messi, the circle closed in 2022 in Qatar. After years of disappointments, he led Argentina to a third World Cup title and was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player for the second time – after 2014. This made Messi the first player to win the award twice. For many, it was the ultimate crowning achievement of a career in which he shaped the 10 over almost two decades. A detailed overview of all World Champions and record holders can be found in our World Cup History.
But who will wear the number 10 in 2030? Of course, that's not certain yet, but some names stand out. For France, Kylian Mbappé should remain a promising candidate – after all, he has already worn the 10 since the World Cups in 2018 and 2022, and also in 2026. In England, Jude Bellingham has already worn the number 10 at the 2026 World Cup and could continue to shape it in 2030. In Spain, Lamine Yamal could grow into the role of the classic number 10 by then – even though he is currently being used mainly as a winger and wore the 19 at the 2026 World Cup.
For Brazil, Vinícius Júnior is an obvious candidate for the future, even though he wore the 7 in 2026 and Neymar took over the 10. For Argentina, the particularly exciting question is who will one day take up Messi's legacy. Thiago Almada, Nico Paz or Franco Mastantuono could be candidates by 2030 – although such a prediction remains explicitly speculative given the considerable time remaining. Messi himself wore the 10 at the 2026 World Cup as well.
All these developments can be followed on the road to the next World Cup. The 2030 World Cup qualification, however, is still a thing of the future: the European qualification competitions will only begin after EURO 2028. UEFA has already decided on a new format for the Nations League and European Qualifiers from 2028/29 onwards. UEFA qualification will thus become concrete only later.
An important special feature of 2030 should not be overlooked: the hosts are not only Spain, Portugal and Morocco. The vast majority of the tournament takes place there, but to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the World Cup, three matches will be held in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. All six countries are automatically qualified.
Fun fact to finish: At the 1974 World Cup, Johan Cruyff actually wore the shirt number 14 for the Netherlands. He had previously gotten the famous number at Ajax rather by chance: after an injury, he took the remaining substitute shirt with the 14 in 1970 and played with it against PSV. He then stuck with the number – and made it a legend too.
Sometimes another number becomes a legend. But the aura of the 10 remains unique – and 2030 awaits the next stage.