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The No. 10 jersey marks Messi as Argentina’s “go-to” player . . . though by now most people don’t need a number to know his greatness.

the defenders 2 through 5, the midfielders 6 through 8, and the forwards 9 through 11. Even today, though the numbers now range much wider, the number 10 jersey is expect- ed to be worn by a team’s top scorer. Famous number 10s have included Brazil’s Péle, Ita- ly’s Roberto Baggio and Francesco Totti, and France’s Zinedine Zidane. Of course, one num- ber 10 player is a man most call the best in the world today (and winner of the Golden Ball at the 2014 World Cup) Argentina’s Lionel Messi. In many sports, uniform numbers take on mythical proportions because of who wore them. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ great Roberto

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