# Maradona named top footballer for number 10

> The Guardian names Maradona as the greatest player for number 10, beating Pelé and Messi.
- Title: Maradona named top footballer for number 10 · CNN Brasil
- Summary: The Guardian names Maradona as the greatest player for number 10, beating Pelé and Messi.
- Keywords: the guardian, diego maradona, pelé, lionel messi, football, number 10, camisa 10, jornal inglês, futebol internacional, brazil, CNN Brasil
- Source: CNN Brasil — https://cnnbrasil.com.br/esportes/futebol/futebol-internacional/jornal-ingles-elege-maradona-como-maior-camisa-10-a-frente-de-pele-e-messi
- Author: Gabriel Teles
- Published: 2026-11-10T20:44:34+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: the guardian, diego maradona, pelé, lionel messi, football, number 10, camisa 10, jornal inglês, futebol internacional, brazil, news
## Maradona chosen for number 10
The Guardian selected Diego Maradona as the most iconic player for number 10 in football history, ahead of Pelé and Lionel Messi.

> For Maradona, the number ten was a style of life, part of an argentine unique identity
## Why Maradona for number 10
Maradona's number 10 became part of his identity, especially during his time with the Argentine national team that won the 1986 World Cup.
## Brazilian players in the list
Five Brazilian players appear in the Guardian's list: Cafu for number 2, Ronaldo Fenômeno for number 9, Falcão for number 15, Kaká for number 22, and Bruno Guimarães for number 39.
## Cafu for number 2
Cafu was chosen for number 2 after a career marked by consistency and titles with Brazil, including the 1994 and 2002 World Cups.
## Ronaldo Fenômeno for number 9
Ronaldo Fenômeno was selected for number 9 due to his speed, strength, skill, and his image during the 2002 World Cup.
## Falcão for number 15
Falcão, a 1982 generation icon, was chosen for number 15 after playing for Brazil in the 1982 World Cup and winning the Silver Ball.
## Kaká for number 22
Kaká was selected for number 22 during his Milan years, winning the 2006/07 Champions League and the 2007 Ballon d'Or.
## Bruno Guimarães for number 39
Bruno Guimarães chose number 39 because it was his father's taxi code in Rio de Janeiro, a tradition he kept since his professional debut in 2017.
## Key takeaway

The Guardian ranked Diego Maradona as the most iconic player for number 10 in football history, ahead of Pelé and Lionel Messi.