The left winger (LW) is usually referred to as the number 7.
The striker position (ST) is known as the number 9.Understanding Soccer Positions by Number.What are the Different Soccer Positions?.Soccer managers should effectively use this position and have tactics for the players who occupy this spot. The attacking midfielder stands between the midfield and the offensive line! That is why a number 10 must be able to score goals and dribble well to evade the opponent's defenders since his goal-scoring skills will help the club or country win games and win big trophies! Conclusion About number 10 in Football.Īs you can see, the significance of the number 10 in soccer is enormous. They are quick on their own, but they are not players who dribble the ball down the field, and they pass the ball around or shoot it themselves before they can get to that point. The player is usually fast but not as fast as the player wearing shirt number 11. He also needs always to push the attack and not stay behind, passing the ball around with his teammates. The player in this position needs to get all kinds of assists for forwards or strikers to score goals. This player will run up and down the field, trying to make things happen for his team.Īt times, number 10s can seem "clutch," always able to score in essential situations. He has to be quick and creative, with just as much skill at passing as he does the shooting. The number 10 in soccer is usually the best player on a team and an attacking-minded midfielder. It can be employed in various attacking roles: central midfield, supporting forward and even outside forward on either flank. Modern Interpretation of number 10 in Football.Ī modern interpretation of the number 10 is a midfielder who possesses creative and offensive capabilities. More recently, Lionel Messi has dominated this role with Barcelona, scoring many goals with his feet and head. One of the greatest examples of#10 is Diego Maradona, known for his dribbling ability and scoring many goals with his left foot.Īnother great player is Zinedine Zidane, who had excellent field vision, passing skills, and finishing ability. Since then, most teams have viewed the #10 as an attacking midfielder, either on the wing or centrally. In the 70s, some teams viewed this number as a deep-lying center midfielder (similar to a modern-day holding midfielder), while others saw it as a more offensive role. This changed in the 50s and 60s when 10 became synonymous with an attacking-minded midfielder. In the 1930s, the center forward (striker) was #9 while the inside right and left (secondary striker) were #7 & #8. The number 10 role has changed over time throughout history but has always remained an attacking-based position. This position requires a good first touch on the ball, excellent technical ability, vision, high soccer IQ, and exceptional passing ability.ĭuring critical points late in a game or tie, the number 10 will play as an advanced playmaker. The number 10 is typically a team's most skilled player and can be an effective passer, ball-handler, and goalscorer.Ī classic number 10 playmaker will play between the midfield and the forwards, creating scoring opportunities. The number 10, whether an attacking midfielder or deep-lying playmaker wears it, almost always plays behind or slightly off of two forwards in a free role. The number 10 is considered the most creative position in Football, and that's because the player wearing the number 10 shirt often has more freedom than other players on the team.
Let's dig deeper into this content! Number 10 in Football: Position, Role.
Good examples are Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr., Luka Modric, Oscar, Luis Suarez, Isco Alarcon and Eden Hazard. What is a number 10 in football? The number 10 in Football is the position of a playmaker.