Palmer, Mbappe, Yamal: Why do they all choose No. 10?
5:37am, 28 July 2025Football
In modern football, there is no number that is more magical than No. 10. It was once a symbol of the identity of the king of football such as Pele, Maradona and Messi. Today, it has evolved into a powerful personal branding tool.
This summer, this wave reached its peak: Chelsea's Cole Palmer, Bayern's Jamal Musiara, Real Madrid's Kilian Mbappe, Barcelona's Ramin Yamal... Countless young superstars have all put on their team's No. 10 jerseys this summer.
But is this jersey a springboard to greatness or a heavy burden?
Honor - The artifact of personal brand
"Personal brand is more important than ever," said Daniel Sandison, a marketing director. "Top players all want to have a number that reflects their personality."
10 is undoubtedly the most powerful symbol among them. Cristiano Ronaldo's CR7 has turned the number into an integral part of its global brand. And Chelsea's new 10th Palmer even tried to register his iconic "Cold Palmer" celebration action as a trademark.
Putting on No. 10 is equivalent to declaring to the world: "I am the protagonist of this team."
Inheritance - A jersey, an epic
For players, the meaning of No. 10 is far beyond that of business. It is a kind of inheritance and an honor. Manchester United's new No. 10 Mattus Cunia said:
"Wow, this is what you dream of. When I see this number at the club, I always think of Rooney, Fanny, Ibrahimovic... My dream is not only to wear it, but also to create brilliance around it. It is an honor."
This torch, ignited in South America by Bailey and Maradona, was lifted by Puskas and Zidane in Europe. Perhaps the most memorable thing is in Barcelona, when Ronaldinho smiled and handed the No. 10 jersey to the young Messi, a new era began.
Curse - The huge rock that crushes genius, however, the other side of glory is the curse. Inheriting the legacy of the giants may bring great pressure enough to overwhelm any genius.
There is no clearer example than Ansu Fati's sad story.
When Messi left, Fati was awarded No. 10, regarded as Barcelona's new flag. But Messi left too much shadow. This genius who was highly anticipated was completely lost under the pressure of expectations, and eventually left the team on loan, leaving behind a regrettable unfinished career.
Root - Messi effect
So, why do young players still flock to No. 10 even though they know the risks? The answer, largely comes from one name: Lionel Messi.
This Argentine legend has ruled the football world with No. 10 for nearly twenty years. For a whole generation of young players, Messi is the ultimate form of football.
"I think the 10th is now considered the best player number because the best player in the world has worn it for too long," Sandison said.
This phenomenon is exactly the same as the basketball world in the 1990s. Back then, all the children wanted to be like Jordan and wanted No. 23. Nowadays, children in football want to be like Messi, and wearing his No. 10 is the best way.
For this reason, when 18-year-old Lamin Yamal took over Barcelona's 10, it was of great significance. People believe that he has enough talent and courage to continue this glory. The cycle of worship and inheritance will never stop. Today, a young man wears the 10th because he admires Messi. Tomorrow, another generation of new people will wear it because they worship the young man today. The flame of
10 will never be extinguished.
Among the new batch of young superstars who wear the No. 10, who do you most like to continue to carry forward this legend?
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