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As part of Terra's end of the year coverage, we provide you some content that highlights the best and worst of the year, from the biggest scandals to the most beautiful women. Here, we highlight the best soccer players ever to have worn the no. 10.
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The No. 10 is a special number in soccer. It's usually worn by the best player and playmaker on the team. There have been a long line of No. 10s, but these are the 10 best: 10. Michael Laudrup (Denmark): An exceptional passer and playmaker, Laudrup was part of five straight La Liga champions from 1990-94 with Barcelona and Real Madrid. He also led Denmark to the second round of the 1986 World Cup, and was voted the greatest Danish soccer player of the past 50 years in 1999.
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9. Roberto Baggio (Italy): Baggio won two Serie A titles and a UEFA Cup, and he won the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1993. Baggio is the only Italian player to score in three World Cups, and he is one of the top 5 scores in Italian national team history. He was part of the World Cup runners-up in 1994, and the third-place team in 1990.
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8. Zico (Brazil): The 'White Pele' scored 52 goals in 72 international matches, and played in three World Cups. The 1982 Brazil side is considered one of the greatest never to win the title. Zico was one of the great finishers and passers of his time, and he was an expert free-kick taker.
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7. Ronaldinho (Brazil): Maybe the greatest street soccer player of all time, Ronaldinho can perform more tricks with the ball than seemingly anyone. A magician in the open field, the Brazilian won back-to-back FIFA World Player of the Year honors in 2004 and 2005, and was part of the Barcelona side that won the Champions League in 2006.
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6. Zinedine Zidane (France): The leader of a golden generation of French players, Zidane won the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship with the French side, a Champions League title with Real Madrid and two Serie A titles. He also was a FIFA World Player of the Year three times, and won the Ballon d'Or in 1998.
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5. Ferenc Puskas (Hungary): Puskas was a key member of the "Mighty Magyars" Hungary side that dominated soccer in the 1950s. Puskas led Hungary to the Olympic gold medal in 1952, and a runner-up finish in the 1954 World Cup. He scored 84 goals in 85 international matches, won three European Cups with Real Madrid and captured four Pichichis as the top scorer in La Liga.
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4. Michel Platini (France): Platini won three staight Ballon d'Ors from 1985-87, and led France to the 1984 European Championship, as well as the semifinals of the 1986 World Cup. He was an attacking midfielder who was France's all-time leading scorer until he was passed by striker Thierry Henry. Platini also won the European Cup with Juventus in 1985, where he scored the only goal in the final.
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3. Lionel Messi (Argentina): At the tender age of 25, "La Pulga" has already won three Ballon d'Ors, three Champions League titles, and five La Liga championships at Barcelona. Messi also captured a gold medal with Argentina in 2008, and his 73 goals in 2011-12 were the most in one season in soccer history.
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2. Diego Maradona (Argentina): Voted FIFA Player of the Century, Maradona is widely considered the greatest player in the history of the sport. He helped Napoli win its only two Serie A Championships, but it was his performance in the 1986 World Cup, where he won the Golden Ball award as the best player, that cemented his greatness. There, Maradona scored two of the greatest goals ever seen in the semifinal against England, and his second goal, where he dribbled 60 yards until he reached the goal was voted the "Goal of the Century" by FIFA.com voters in 2002. Maradona was also on the runner-up Argentina team in 1990.
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1. Pele (Brazil): It is the general consensus that this Brazilian is the greatest player in soccer history. Pele was elected "Athlete of the Century" by the IOC and Reuters, and by the French newspaper L'Equipe in 1981. He scored 1,281 goals in 1,363 matches, and he is the only soccer player to be a part of three World Cup-winning teams.
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As part of Terra's end of the year coverage, we provide you some content that highlights the best and worst of the year, from the biggest scandals to the most beautiful women. Here, we highlight the best soccer players ever to have worn the no. 10.
Photo: Getty Images
