Photo:www.motorcyclegiftcards.com
Pele made it the most famous shirt in the world. The greatest player
of all time, the only man who can claim to have won the World Cup on
three occasions, it was he who ensured that Brazil’s No.10 jersey became
immortal.
Ten players have worn the Famous number for the
Selecao at World Cups for Brazil. The mystique it has carried ever since
was the subject of a book, ‘The Magic of the No.10 shirt’ by
journalists Andre Ribeiro and Vladir Lemos, and it is a number that has
since been worn by many of the most talented players the game has ever
seen.
From Maradona, Messi and Riquelme, to Platini, Zidane, Laudrup, Hagi,
and Baggio, the number has become synonymous with those who hold a
special place in the game.
It was Pele who gave the shirt its eternal aura, but who was the best Brazilian to inherit that famous No.10?
| RIVELINO - 92 caps, 26 goals |
A young Rivelino had to make do with the No.11 shirt when he
unleashed his howitzer of a left-foot on world football as part of the
majestic side that became champions in 1970. But four years later, Pele
had retired and it was time to pass the torch. He hit three goals in
West Germany in 1974 but could do little to stop Johan Cruyff’s
remarkable Netherlands.
He returned four years later, however, and led the Selecao to a
‘moral championship’ as they exited the tournament in controversial
fashion as Argentina blew away a strong Peru side 6-0. Credited with
bringing the famous ‘elastico’ dribble to the world, Rivelino was a true
No.10, whose magical left foot could be as delicate as it was
devastating.
Flamengo great Zico personifies the number 10 shirt like few others.
He was consummate conductor, strutting around the freedom of the
midfield, orchestrating the most enchanting of harmonies. The central
figure in the mythical 1982 side that captured the world’s imagination,
if not the cup itself, he is the living embodiment of ‘jogo bonito’.
His flawless technique, bewitching dribbling and unrivalled eye for a
defence-splitting pass saw him carve out the sort of reputation
reserved for the select few able to truly inspire the souls of those who
live for the beautiful game. Zico played the World Cups of 1978, 1982
and 1986, and though he never claimed football’s ultimate prize, he
perhaps won something every bit as important.
| RIVALDO - 74 caps, 34 goals |
Rivaldo is an understated character off the field, but was more than
happy to take centre-stage at two World Cups for Brazil. He helped
inspire the side to the final in France before starring in Japan/South
Korea, creating both goals for Ronaldo in the final against Germany to
secure the Selecao’s fifth World Cup.
Like Rivelino, he boasted a hammer-like left foot that was equally
capable of the intricate, subtle shuffles away from defenders, utilising
the trademark ‘chop’ inside that saw him grab 34 goals in 74
internationals. He was the Fifa World Player of the Year in 1999, and
could still be seen playing this year at the age of 43 as
player-president for Mogi Mirim, with whom he played alongside his son,
Rivaldinho.
| RONALDINHO - 102 caps, 35 goals |
Ronaldinho took over as No.10 for the World Cup of 2006, ahead of a
tournament that the local press assured would see him confirmed as a
true rival to Pele’s legacy as the greatest of all-time. Unfortunately,
Carlos Alberto Perreira’s top-heavy side disappointed in Germany and
exited at the quarter-finals after going down to a 1-0 defeat to France.
He wold never play a World Cup finals match again, but is still
remembered for his performances in 2002 – notably his remarkable
free-kick that bamboozled England goalkeeper David Seaman. A two-time
Fifa World Player of the Year, like Zico, Ronaldinho will forever be
cherished by the game’s romantics. An absolute genius, he won it all as a
player but left a special legacy as arguably football’s most
entertaining player of all time.
When coach Dunga left Ronaldinho out of his squad for World Cup 2010,
Kaka inherited the famous jersey and led a counter-attacking team that
had raced through qualification to arrive in South Africa with very real
ambitions of a sixth title. Defeat to the Netherlands ended their
campaign but Kaka has his World Cup-winners medal as a member of the
2002 side.
At his peak, the former Milan and Real Madrid player was a force of
nature, capable of executing the sublime at ferocious, devastating pace.
Injuries have since cost him the attribute that set him apart, but he
has reinvented himself and remains a member of the Selecao at
33-years-old, adding valuable experience to a side that has little in
terms of World Cup qualification. A two-time Confederations Cup winner,
he has over 100 caps for his country and will go down in history as one
of Brazil’s all-time greats.
| NEYMAR - 67 caps, 46 goals |
The current incumbent of the jersey has never worn the number of any
other team, preferring No.11 for Santos before retaining the shirt
following his move to Barcelona. A finalist for the 2015 Ballon d'Or,
the 23-year-old is now captain of his country and well on his way to
becoming Brazil’s all-time leading scorer. He is yet to claim a major
title with the Selecao but has already outscored legends such as
Jairzinho, Tostao and Rivelino.
Having largely operated from the left for his club sides, Neymar
plays a more traditional No.10 for Dunga, playing almost in a free role
as the fulcrum of a fluid frontline. Having emerged in world football as
the ultimate individualist, amassing a stunning highlight reel of
flicks and tricks, he has now added a devastating goal return to his
game and with as much as a decade of international football ahead of
him, will no doubt go on to carve out his own special legacy with the
national team.
Culled from goal.com
Photo:footballalive.ng
Photo: AFP