The role of the traditional number 10 in football, once the creative heartbeat of every successful team, is slowly vanishing from modern tactics. Once symbolized by legends like Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, and Michel Platini, this role has historically been occupied by players who could dictate the flow of a game with their vision, flair, and intelligence. But as football evolves, so too do the roles within it, leaving many to wonder: Why is the number 10 disappearing from the game?

The Classic Number 10 Role

In football, the number 10 position has long been synonymous with creativity. Positioned just behind the forwards in an attacking midfield role, the number 10 is expected to link play between the midfield and attack, often providing assists or scoring goals themselves. They rely heavily on technical skills, spatial awareness, and an innate ability to unlock opposition defenses. These playmakers were granted freedom in the center of the pitch to create magic, a focal point of many offensive strategies.

Players like Ronaldinho and Francesco Totti thrived in this role, dictating the pace and rhythm of a game, setting up teammates, and delivering through passes to unlock defenses. The system revolved around them. However, as football has become faster and more physically demanding, the reliance on a single creative player has diminished, leading to the decline of this iconic role.

Modern Tactics and the Decline of Playmakers

Football tactics have undergone a major shift in recent years, leaning towards high-pressing, pace, and team-based play rather than individual creativity. With formations such as the 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, and even the popular 4-4-2 diamond, the classic number 10 role has often been squeezed out.

The rise of positional play and systems focused on intense pressing from the front, like Pep Guardiola’s tiki-taka or Jürgen Klopp’s gegenpressing, has reduced the need for a player to be the sole creator. In these systems, creativity is shared among multiple players, especially wingers, midfielders, and even fullbacks. The number 10 no longer has the time or space to operate in their once-luxurious position.

Moreover, modern number 10s are expected to contribute defensively, which is not a traditional trait of old-school playmakers. Players like Kevin De Bruyne and Bruno Fernandes, often labeled as today’s playmakers, are far more dynamic, covering more ground and performing both offensive and defensive tasks.

The Rise of Hybrid Midfielders

In the past, the number 10 was the fulcrum of attacking play. Today, teams favor more dynamic midfielders, who are capable of both defending and attacking. These hybrid players can play in multiple positions and roles, and their versatility has largely replaced the need for a static playmaker.

For instance, De Bruyne or Thomas Müller are not traditional number 10s, but they occupy spaces and create chances while being tactically disciplined, making them invaluable in the modern game. Hybrid midfielders are the answer to football’s increased athleticism and tactical demands. Teams now spread their creativity across the pitch, with fluid movements among players that make rigid positioning unnecessary.

How Football Formations Have Evolved

In football’s past, systems like 4-4-1-1 or 4-3-1-2 provided space for the number 10 to thrive. Now, the evolution of the 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations have marginalized the role. Teams prefer wide forwards or wingers with creative responsibilities. The role of the “false 9” also pushed creative players further up the pitch or onto the wings.

For example, Lionel Messi often played as a false 9 under Guardiola, illustrating how a creative playmaker can thrive in a system designed to exploit space differently. The role of the number 10 has become more flexible and less defined by traditional terms.

The Future of the Number 10 Role

While the traditional number 10 might be fading, the essence of creativity in football remains. Modern football demands tactical flexibility, and players are expected to adapt to multiple roles on the pitch. It’s unlikely that the pure playmaker role will make a resurgence as football becomes even faster and more physically demanding.

However, in certain systems or leagues that value creativity, the number 10 can still thrive. The Serie A or La Liga might still see more number 10s compared to the faster, more physical Premier League. As tactics evolve, so too will the way we view and deploy creative midfielders.

Conclusion

The disappearance of the number 10 in football is a reflection of the game’s ongoing evolution. As tactics shift and the physical demands of the sport increase, the creative genius once associated with this iconic position is now shared among multiple players. While the role may not exist in its traditional form, football’s future will continue to see creativity flourish—just not in the way it used to.