1. They're usually two-footed
The greatest No10s become cult heroes. So revered was Roberto Baggio that his transfer from Fiorentina caused riots; his failure to make Italy's 2002 FIFA World Cup squad prompted actors to wear t-shirts in protest; and when Giovanni Trapattoni selected him for a farewell friendly against Spain, 30,000 Genovese gave him a standing ovation. No other position has such a deep, mysterious, grip on fans' affections.
4. They can turn a game
When No10s are good, they're superb. But because they become too important to the team, their bad days can leave you doubting they were even on the pitch at all.
6. They're deadly with a dead ball
Ronaldinho, Del Piero, Riquelme, Baggio, Rooney et al, can guide a dead ball with a precision that would make a missile manufacturer envious. Opponents might suspect what's coming, but they're often powerless to prevent it.
Litmanen, Del Piero, Baggio, Gazza, Zidane, Zico, Rooney and Totti have all suffered major damage. Cruciate knee ligaments are an occupational hazard and niggling injuries can plague their form.
9. They have more clubs than Tiger Woods
For every loyal club servant like Del Piero and Totti, there are a dozen No10s whose careers can more easily be charted on a map than through the dry statistics of goals and games. Ariel Ortega (seven clubs in eight years) is the most conspicuous example. To be fair, they sometimes drift in search of inspiration, to get their mojo working, but they're often discarded by clubs who have lost patience with them.
The greatest No10s become cult heroes. So revered was Roberto Baggio that his transfer from Fiorentina caused riots; his failure to make Italy's 2002 FIFA World Cup squad prompted actors to wear t-shirts in protest; and when Giovanni Trapattoni selected him for a farewell friendly against Spain, 30,000 Genovese gave him a standing ovation. No other position has such a deep, mysterious, grip on fans' affections.
4. They can turn a game
When No10s are good, they're superb. But because they become too important to the team, their bad days can leave you doubting they were even on the pitch at all.
6. They're deadly with a dead ball
Ronaldinho, Del Piero, Riquelme, Baggio, Rooney et al, can guide a dead ball with a precision that would make a missile manufacturer envious. Opponents might suspect what's coming, but they're often powerless to prevent it.
Litmanen, Del Piero, Baggio, Gazza, Zidane, Zico, Rooney and Totti have all suffered major damage. Cruciate knee ligaments are an occupational hazard and niggling injuries can plague their form.
9. They have more clubs than Tiger Woods
For every loyal club servant like Del Piero and Totti, there are a dozen No10s whose careers can more easily be charted on a map than through the dry statistics of goals and games. Ariel Ortega (seven clubs in eight years) is the most conspicuous example. To be fair, they sometimes drift in search of inspiration, to get their mojo working, but they're often discarded by clubs who have lost patience with them.
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