Rising Stars Who Made the Iconic No. 10 Jersey Their Own from Day One

The No. 10 jersey in football represents far more than just digits on a player's back - it stands as an emblem of excellence, a legendary number that has been immortalized across football history by the sport's greatest icons.

Donning the No. 10 carries immense responsibility that only elite players can handle. At times, the pressure and expectations associated with this number prove overwhelming, with numerous examples of players who buckled under its demanding nature.

However, others embrace this responsibility and flourish under its weight. Being chosen to wear the No. 10 for a major club or national squad represents one of football's highest accolades. While typically reserved for proven superstars, there have been occasions when promising young prospects have seized the chance to wear this iconic number.

Lamine Yamal claimed Barcelona's new No. 10 jersey just days after celebrating his 18th birthday, adding his name to the prestigious list of Barcelona icons who have worn this number.

With Yamal appearing to be the newest youngster joining the No. 10 jersey legacy, Sports Illustrated examines five players who wore football's most legendary shirt number from a young age and achieved remarkable success.

5. Cesc Fabregas - Spain

Spain had claimed just one international championship before 2000, then their golden era arrived. In a squad featuring Spanish football icons like Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández, Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres and David Villa, it was Cesc Fàbregas who carried La Roja's No. 10 jersey.

Fàbregas was 21 when he abandoned No. 18 to embrace Spain's No. 10 shirt before the 2008 European Championship. The Arsenal midfielder was already recognized as an emerging talent, a creative genius capable of orchestrating play alongside the finest players of his generation.

Fàbregas appeared in every match for Spain during Euro 2008, netting one goal and providing three assists as La Roja claimed the championship. His most iconic tournament moment occurred in the quarterfinal against Italy, when he converted the decisive penalty in the shootout to eliminate the defending World Cup winners.

Two years later, Fàbregas set up Iniesta's goal in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final as Spain captured football's ultimate prize for the first time. Fàbregas would secure another European championship and remains forever linked as Spain's No. 10 during their golden period.

4. Neymar Jr. - Brazil

Brazil's No. 10 shirt arguably represents the most legendary jersey and number combination in football history. When Ronaldinho vacated La Seleçao's No. 10, 21-year-old Neymar Jr. claimed the number before the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Neymar delivered exceptional performances throughout the competition. Before his European transfer, Neymar contributed four goals and two assists during Brazil's championship campaign, including a brilliant weak-foot finish in the final against Spain that ended La Roja's international dominance at the Maracana.

The story continues from there. While wearing the No. 10 shirt, Neymar became Brazil's record goalscorer and second-most capped player in history.

Although absent from La Seleçao since 2023, the No. 10 shirt remains reserved for his potential return. Neymar aims to comeback for the 2026 World Cup, where he could match Pelé as only the second Brazilian to wear No. 10 across four different World Cups.

3. Lionel Messi - Barcelona and Argentina

Similar to Neymar's situation with Brazil, Lionel Messi took over Ronaldinho's No. 10 shirt at Barcelona when he was 21 before the 2008–09 campaign.

What transpired that season? Messi proved himself as the world's premier player and Barcelona captured every available trophy during Pep Guardiola's inaugural managerial season. Messi possessed Barça's No. 10 throughout his remaining tenure with the Catalans, where both he and the club dominated European and Spanish football. He became the club's greatest legend and symbol, the finest player ever to wear the Blaugrana colors. Yamal now hopes to follow the path established by the Argentine maestro.

In March 2009, still at 21, Messi also took over Argentina's No. 10 shirt from Juan Román Riquelme. Messi would ultimately capture the FIFA World Cup wearing La Albiceleste's No. 10 in 2022, 36 years after fellow Argentine icon Diego Maradona achieved the same feat.

His extraordinary achievements establish him as the greatest player ever in most people's opinion worldwide.

2. Kylian Mbappe - France

Kylian Mbappé took over France's No. 10 shirt at 19 before the 2018 FIFA World Cup, becoming the youngest Les Bleus player ever to wear this number in an official competition.

French icons like Zinedine Zidane and Michel Platini had previously worn it, but Mbappé remained unfazed by the pressure and dominated the tournament in Russia. Mbappé netted four goals and provided one assist as France claimed the World Cup. He also became just the second teenager alongside Pelé to score in a World Cup final.

The current Real Madrid star also wore France's No. 10 during the 2022 World Cup where he scored eight goals, including the first hat-trick ever in a World Cup final.

Mbappé already ranks among the greatest World Cup performers in history and hopes to secure the tournament for a second time while wearing the No. 10 shirt in 2026.

1. Pele - Brazil

Prior to Pelé, the No. 10 shirt held no particular significance in football. Following Pelé, the No. 10 shirt became virtually sacred.

Pelé secured Brazil's initial three FIFA World Cup victories in 1958, 1962 and 1970, all while wearing La Seleçao's No. 10.

Remarkably, Pelé received the number accidentally. Brazil neglected to specify which numbers its players would wear for the 1958 World Cup, an oversight that nearly resulted in FIFA excluding the nation from the tournament. An organizing committee member randomly assigned numbers to every squad player. This created confusion, such as goalkeeper Gilmar wearing No. 3 and his substitute wearing No. 9.

It also led to a relatively unknown 17-year-old Pelé receiving the No. 10 shirt.

Brazil won the 1958 World Cup and Pelé became the youngest player to score in a World Cup final and the youngest tournament winner, records that remain unbroken today. He would later secure two additional World Cups and scored an extraordinary number of goals—the precise total remains debated—throughout his legendary career.

Almost 70 years later, Pelé's impact on football remains enormous. He's still regarded as Brazil's greatest player ever and many continue to view him as the sport's ultimate legend.

One fact remains certain: he's the finest young player ever to wear the No. 10 shirt.