When will the reign of No. 10s end?
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 09.06.26. | 23:03
A player wearing the No. 10 shirt has won the Golden Ball at each of the last five World Cups, underlining the dominance of football’s most iconic number over the past two decades
Ever since squad numbers were introduced into football, the No. 10 has been associated with creativity, vision, magic, playmaking, intelligence, and leadership. After all, it's no wonder that the majority of iconic players in this sport have worn this sacred number.
If there is one testament to the enduring quality of No. 10s, it is their dominance at the World Cup. Since FIFA first introduced the Golden Ball award in 1978, only five times has a non-No. 10 won it.
Meanwhile, the wearers of this iconic number have been named the tournament’s best seven times, including at the last five World Cups!
The Argentinians Mario Kempes (in 1978) and Diego Armando Maradona (1986) were the pioneers of this dominance, while the genuine reign started in 2006 with Zinedine Zidane. In the following four tournaments, Diego Forlan (2010), Luka Modric (2018), and Lionel Messi (2014, 2022) have lifted the Golden Ball trophy wearing No. 10 on their chest.
In the last five World Cups, all Golden Ball winners have worn the number 10. 😯🔟 pic.twitter.com/Kb1CkklU14
— VEE (@veekkyproo) June 9, 2026
Paolo Rossi (1982, Italy, #20), Salvatore Schillaci (1990, Italy, #19), Romario (1994, Brazil, #11), Ronaldo Nazario (1998, Brazil, #9), and Oliver Kahn (2002, Germany, #1) have been the exceptions so far.
Will the 2026 FIFA World Cup produce another exception - or will No. 10s continue their monopoly?
PLAYERS WEARING NO. 10 AT THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP:
(©Gemini)