Football is a game of numbers, and not just the ones on the scoreboard. Each player on the pitch has a specific number assigned to them, which reflects their position, role, and responsibilities. But which number is the most important? Which player has the biggest impact on the team’s performance? In this article, we will compare and contrast two of the most influential numbers in football: the number 10 and 8.
What is the Number 10 in Football?
The number 10 is a symbol of creativity, technique and flair. It is traditionally reserved for the star playmakers, attacking midfielders, and prized forwards, who play just behind the forward line. The number 10 is often the most creative and skillful player on the team, who can create chances for themselves and others with their vision, passing, and dribbling.
Some of the best number 10s in football history are Zinedine Zidane, Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Pelé. They are all players who can change the course of a game with a moment of magic, and who have won multiple trophies and awards for their clubs and countries.
Messi, for example, is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time. He has won numerous awards, including Eight Ballon d’Or titles (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023), and has led Barcelona to numerous league titles and Champions League victories. His ability to create goals and score them himself has made him an icon of the number 10 role.
Pele, another legendary number 10, is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time. He won three World Cups with Brazil and scored over 1,000 career goals. His ability to control the game and create scoring opportunities for his teammates made him a true playmaker.
Diego Maradona, another iconic number 10, led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup victory and is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time. He can score goals and set them up on his own, but it was his leadership off the ball that made him a real playmaker.
Zinedine Zidane, a French football legend, is another iconic number 10. He won numerous titles with Real Madrid and France, including the 1998 World Cup. He was a true playmaker because he was able to influence the game and create chances for his teammates to score.
Ronaldinho, a Brazilian football legend, is another iconic number 10. He won numerous titles with Barcelona and Brazil, including the 2002 World Cup. In addition to his ability to score goals on his own, his skill and creativity made him an effective playmaker.
What is the Number 8 in Football?
The number 8 is typically assigned to a creative midfielder or attacking midfield player. Their job is to make space in congested areas and both play in midfield and release the attackers with well-timed passes. The number 8 is often a box-to-box midfielder, who participates in both defending and attacking for their team.
Some of the greatest number 8s of all time include Lothar Matthaus, Hristo Stoichkov, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Toni Kroos, and Andres Iniesta.
Lothar Matthaus, a German football legend, is considered one of the greatest number 8s of all time. He won numerous titles with Bayern Munich and Germany, including the 1990 World Cup.
Hristo Stoichkov, a Bulgarian football legend, is another iconic number 8. He won numerous titles with Barcelona and Bulgaria, including the 1992 European Championship.
Steven Gerrard, an English football legend, is another iconic number 8. He won numerous titles with Liverpool and England, including the 2006 World Cup. His ability to control the game and create scoring opportunities for his teammates made him a true playmaker.
Frank Lampard, another English football legend, is another iconic number 8. He won numerous titles with Chelsea and England, including the 2012 European Championship. He was a real playmaker because he was able to score goals and create goals on his own. He was also a leader on the field.
Toni Kroos, a German football legend, is another iconic number 8. He has won numerous titles with Real Madrid and Germany, including the 2014 World Cup.
Andres Iniesta, a Spanish football legend, is another iconic number 8. He won numerous titles with Barcelona and Spain, including the 2010 World Cup. His ability to control the game and create scoring opportunities for his teammates made him a true playmaker.
Comparing Number 10 and 8
Number 10
- Inspiration and unpredictability: Their ability to conjure something special out of nothing can turn tight games on their head. Think David Beckham’s wonder goal against Greece or Iniesta’s mesmerizing assist for Torres in the 2009 Champions League final.
- Unlocking defenses: Their vision and passing range pierce through compact defenses, creating goalscoring opportunities for others. Think Mesut Özil’s assist record or Dimitri Payet’s pinpoint crosses.
Number 8
- The engine room: Their tireless work ethic and positional discipline provide the foundation for attacking success. Think Makelele’s defensive dominance for Chelsea or Fernandinho’s tireless shielding for Manchester City.
- Control and balance: They dictate the tempo, control possession, and ensure the team doesn’t get overrun in midfield. Xabi Alonso’s metronomic passing for Spain or Sergio Busquets’ tactical nous for Barcelona.
However, the modern game on the other hand, is more complex. Players like De Bruyne, Modrić, and others combine playmaking with positioning awareness to blur the boundaries between the “10” and the “8”. They control the flow of play, unlock defences, and score goals. Defying traditional roles.
Who Has a Bigger Role to Play?
The answer to this question depends on the style and strategy of the team, as well as the individual qualities of the players. However, we can try to compare and contrast the roles of the number 10 and the number 8 based on some statistical data.
According to FootyStats, the average number of goals scored by a number 10 in the top five European leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1) in the 2023/24 season is 0.23 per game, while the average number of assists is 0.18 per game. The average number of shots is 1.82 per game, while the average number of key passes is 1.54 per game.
On the other hand, the average number of goals scored by a number 8 in the same leagues and season is 0.12 per game, while the average number of assists is 0.14 per game. The average number of shots is 1.28 per game, while the average number of key passes is 1.16 per game.
These numbers suggest that the number 10 has a bigger role to play in the final third of the pitch, where they can create and finish more chances than the number 8. However, the number 8 has a bigger role to play in the middle third of the pitch, where they can control the game and support both the defense and the attack.
Ultimately, the debate isn’t about who’s “better” – both roles are crucial for a team’s success. They are interdependent, like two sides of the same coin. The No. 10 thrives on the platform provided by the No. 8’s control, while the No. 8’s effectiveness is amplified by the No. 10’s creativity.
As tactics evolve, future midfielders will likely possess the hybrid attributes of both roles. Players who can control the tempo, win tackles, and create magic with the ball at their feet will be highly sought-after. The likes of Bruno Fernandes and Jude Bellingham hint at the future, where adaptability and versatility reign supreme.
So, the question remains: between the number 10 and the number 8, who has the bigger role?
The answer, perhaps, is not about picking a winner; Instead of saying who’s more important, the key is how these two different strengths work together – One brings creativity and surprise, the other brings balance and control. They both contribute to the flow and excitement of the game.
The number 10 and the number 8 are both vital players for any football team, but they have different roles and responsibilities. The number 10 is more of a playmaker, who can unlock the opposition’s defense with their creativity and flair. The number 8 is more of a workhorse, who can balance the team with their energy and versatility. Both numbers have their own strengths and weaknesses, and both can have a big impact on the game. Ultimately, the best teams are the ones that can combine the talents of both the number 10 and the number 8, and use them to their full potential.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQS
Which position is more demanding, Number 10 or Number 8?
The demands of each position vary, with Number 10 requiring creativity and flair, while Number 8 demands versatility and tactical awareness.
Do Number 10s always have to be goal-scorers?
While goal-scoring is often associated with Number 10s, their primary role is creating opportunities, and scoring is an additional skill.
How has the role of Number 8 evolved over the years?
The Number 8 role has evolved to encompass both defensive and offensive responsibilities, showcasing a more dynamic style of play.
Who holds the record for the most goals as a Number 10?
Records vary across different leagues and eras, making it challenging to pinpoint a single player with the most goals as a Number 10.
Can a player switch from Number 10 to Number 8 during their career?
Player positions can evolve based on team needs and player development, allowing for transitions between Number 10 and Number 8 roles
