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What comes in your mind when you see the jersey No. 10 on a football field? Skill, trickery, magic? Do you keep an eye out for the player, hoping to see something truly amazing?
There are few things in the world as iconic as the No. 10 in Football. It signifies the best in the team, the talisman, the artist.
The Nou Camp has been home to some of the best No. 10s in the history of the game. Today, we bring you the top 10 among them, in the history of FC Barcelona. It is very interesting to note that there is a South American wave ruling over this list, with as many as 6 of these men originating from the Continent.
There are 3 Brazilians and 3 Argentines in this list, but who comes out on top? let's find out.
#10 Eusebio Sacristan (Spain)
Also known as Eusebio, the Spanish midfielder started his career at Real Valladolid, where he caught the eye at a very young age. He joined Atletico Madrid in 1987, played for a season before Barcelona came calling. It was at the Camp Nou that Eusebio found his true calling.
The Spaniard went on to became an ever-present member of Johan Cruyff's team and spent 7 glorious seasons with the Catalans. Primarily a defensive midfielder, Eusebio grew in stature during his time at the club and was one an important member of the team that was highly successful between 1988 and 1994.
When his chances became limited in his last 2 seasons, he finally moved to Celta Vigo in 1995.
#9 Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria)
Often called the greatest Bulgarian player ever, Stoichkov is also one of the greatest footballers of his generation. The 1994 Ballon d'Or winner joined Barcelona in 1990 and had a highly successful 5 seasons at the club.
On the field, Stoichkov was a phenomenal goal scorer. He was fast, strong and had an eye for a pass. He was primarily a striker but could play as the creative midfielder as well. He was also highly successful as the second striker, playing between the lines of the defense and midfield. It was from here that Stoichkov controlled the game and became one of the best in the world.
The Bulgarian did have a temper and was nicknamed The Dagger. However, on his day, Stoichkov was unplayable. He appeared 214 times for the Catalans and scored 107 goals.
#8 Romario (Brazil)
The Legendary Brazilian joined Barcelona from PSV Eindhoven in 1993 and only played for 2 seasons before moving on to Flamengo in 1995. However, it was enough time to showcase his talent and etch his name in gold at the club.
Romario is often considered to be the player who revolutionized the striker's role. He was as comfortable in the box as outside it. He was the complete package, nifty dribbler, intelligent footballer, and a proven goalscorer.
Romario played just 65 games for the Catalans and scored 39 goals. He won the LaLiga Trophy in 1993/94 season.
#7 Gheorghe Hagi (Romania)
The Maradona of the Carpathians, as he was also known, Gheorghe Hagi is the greatest Romanian football player ever. He joined Barcelona after the 1994 world cup and took over the No. 10 duties.
Hagi was a brilliant attacking midfielder, often considered one of the best during his time. He had outstanding ball control, and his vision for a pass was legendary. The Romanian was a fantastic finisher as well and scored 11 goals from 51 appearances for Barcelona over two seasons.
#6 Rivaldo (Brazil)
Another Brazilian who took the Camp Nou by storm, the iconic Brazilian was a fantastic attacking midfielder who could also double up as a second striker. Blessed with outrageous ball control and dribbling abilities, Rivaldo continued the Samba tradition at Barcelona and is one of the greatest South American footballers to play for the club.
Rivaldo joined Barcelona in 1997 and played for five trophy-laden seasons for the LaLiga side. The Brazilian scored 130 goals from 235 games during his time and is fondly remembered for his spectacular goals, especially those outstanding bicycle volleys!
#5 Juan Roman Riquelme (Argentina)
One of the greatest No. 10s of to come out of Argentina has also graced the Barcelona soil. Juan Roman Riquelme was a classic playmaker, he relished the chance to create opportunities for his teammates. The Argentinean was an artist, who painted masterpieces around Camp Nou
Riquelme was not lightning fast but he did have outstanding dribbling skills, vision, and passing abilities. The Argentinean could also carry out a deeper role if required and was equally effective playing as the deep-lying playmaker.
The Argentinean joined the Nou Camp in 2002 and played just one season for Barcelona before he was loaned out to Villareal.
#4 Ronaldinho (Brazil)
The smiling Brazilian moved to Barcelona in 2002 and lit up the Nou Camp. The Brazilian was the perfect No. 10 and had every attribute linked to the iconic number.
On the field, Ronaldinho was a magician. Some of the skills he pulled out were out of the world and ensured his legendary status in the club. His vision and passing abilities were an asset too and Ronaldinho, during his five seasons with the Catalans, took them to the pinnacle of success.
He was also instrumental in mentoring a young Lionel Messi and turning him into a force that would soon take over the world.
#3 Pep Guardiola (Spain)
Before he became one of the greatest managers in world football, Pep Guardiola was also an exceptional footballer himself, coming out of the Barcelona academy and breaking into the team.
As is evident in his coaching style, the Spaniard was an intelligent footballer and played as a defensive midfielder is Johan Cruyff's Barcelona team. Guardiola was the deep-lying playmaker of that team and was instrumental as Barcelona won the European Cup and four back to back LaLiga titles.
The Spaniard even went on to captain the side during his later years too. As the defensive screen, he was a hard worker, intelligent and full of poise. He was technically gifted and had outstanding anticipation skills.
Guardiola played for 11 seasons at the Nou Camp and was one of the greatest No. 10s in the history of the club.
#2 Diego Maradona (Argentina)
Long before the Nou Camp bowed down to Messi, they had witnessed a miracle in Diego Maradona.
The Argentinean joined Barcelona in 1982 and spent two seasons at the LaLiga giants. His impact was instantaneous and Barcelona had a legendary No. 10 in their ranks again. Maradona mesmerized the crowd with his magical dribbling skills and his outstanding eye for the spectacular.
He would eventually become the first Barcelona player ever to be applauded at the Santiago Bernabeu when he scored an outstanding solo goal in the El Clasico in 1983.
#1 Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Lionel Messi actually started his career with the No. 30 jersey, before moving on to No. 19. He tormented the opposition with both numbers on his back, but it was when Ronaldinho left 2008 that Messi took on the No. 10 jersey and conquered the world.
The things that the Argentinean has done on the field as a Barcelona player defies description at the time. His goalscoring ability is unparalleled, but Messi is so much more than just a goal scorer. He is a provider and a magician, an artist and a genius. Lionel Messi has redefined the No. 10 shirt, so much so that it is almost synonymous with him.
And that is the reason why he is the greatest Barcelona No. 10 ever.
