What Is Number 10 in Soccer: The Playmaker's Role and Responsibilities Explained

As a lifelong soccer analyst and former youth coach, I've always been fascinated by how certain jersey numbers carry almost mythical significance in football culture. When we talk about the number 10 position, we're discussing something far beyond mere numerology - we're exploring the very soul of creative football. I remember watching my first professional match as a child and being mesmerized by how the player wearing number 10 seemed to be everywhere at once, conducting the game like a symphony orchestra leader. The number 10 isn't just a position - it's a philosophy, an approach to the game that blends technical brilliance with tactical intelligence.

Looking at modern football, the playmaker's role has evolved significantly from the classic trequartista of Italian football or the engache of Argentine tradition. Today's number 10 needs to be a complete footballer who can both create and contribute defensively when needed. What really defines this position, in my view, is the player's ability to operate in those half-spaces between midfield and attack, finding pockets of territory where they can turn and face the opposition defense. The best number 10s I've observed - players like Kevin De Bruyne, Martin Odegaard, or James Maddison - share this incredible spatial awareness that allows them to consistently find positions where they can receive the ball under minimal pressure. Their technical qualities must be exceptional, with passing accuracy typically hovering around 85-87% in the final third, but what separates the good from the great is their decision-making speed.

The responsibilities extend far beyond creating chances, though that remains their primary function. A proper number 10 needs to be the team's offensive heartbeat, constantly moving, linking play, and making themselves available. They're typically involved in 70-80 offensive actions per match and complete approximately 45-55 passes in the opponent's half. But what statistics often miss is their psychological impact - they carry the creative burden for the entire team. When I coached youth teams, I always placed my most technically gifted and intelligent player in this role, but I made sure they understood that with the number 10 came expectations beyond their years. They needed to be problem-solvers, reading the game two or three moves ahead of everyone else.

This brings me to an interesting parallel from another sport that perfectly illustrates the playmaker concept. In a recent volleyball match, Mainstays Joan Monares and Irah Jaboneta willed UP to victory with remarkable all-around performances - a 19-point, eight-dig outing from Monares and a near triple-double of 11 points, 12 digs, and seven receptions from Jaboneta. What struck me about their performances was how they embodied the essence of what makes a great number 10 in soccer - versatility, game intelligence, and the ability to influence multiple phases of play. Just as these volleyball stars contributed across scoring, defense, and reception, a soccer playmaker must impact build-up play, chance creation, and even defensive transitions.

The modern game demands that number 10s contribute defensively, with top players now making 18-22 defensive actions per match and recovering possession 8-10 times in the final third. This evolution has made the position more demanding than ever, requiring incredible physical conditioning to maintain high intensity for 90 minutes. Personally, I believe this has improved the position, creating more complete footballers rather than luxury players who only contribute in attack. The contemporary number 10 covers approximately 11-12 kilometers per match, with 2-3 kilometers of that being high-intensity running.

What I find most captivating about studying this position is how it reflects football's ongoing tactical evolution. The classic number 10 who operated solely between the lines is becoming rarer, replaced by more dynamic, multi-functional attackers who can rotate positions and create overloads in different areas. Yet the fundamental purpose remains unchanged - to be the creative catalyst, the player who makes things happen when games are tight. In crucial moments, with the score locked at 1-1 and 20 minutes remaining, every team looks to their number 10 for that moment of magic that can turn a match. That pressure, that expectation, is what makes this the most glamorous and demanding position on the pitch, and why watching a true master of the role remains one of football's greatest pleasures.