How to play as a Number 10

CONTROL:No.10's need a good first touch, dribbling ability and confidence to take the ball when marked.

Barcelona's Messi is 'THE' example of a Number 10 . Most of their game in the attacking third flows through his actions. This role within the team is purely to create goals and score them. It's rare to find a top side in Europe that doesn't have a creative player who makes this role his own.

The players

As a number 10, Messi can 'pop-up' anywhere in the final third of the pitch. He identifies the weakest parts of the defence and then targets them to cause maximum damage to his opponents.

WATCH:Messi score one of the greatest goals of all-time

Messi is great in many people's minds, but there are others who say Maradona is the best number 10 of all time . Diego may not have been the goalscorer that Messi is, but he had the ability to glide past players as if they weren't even there. He was the most creative player of his generation. Football had never seen anything like him.

WATCH:Maradona glide through England's entire team and score

If creativity is what you need to be a great number 10, then look no further than Ronaldinho . The Brazilian simply looked so comfortable on the ball and was capable of producing the extraordinary. He had pace, vision, skill and great finishing ability.

WATCH:Ronaldinho score one of the most iconic goals of all-time

The Key

In the right system with the proper support around them, the number 10 can be the most effective player on the pitch.