PUSAN (South Korea), May 31: Pele wore it, Argentina tried to get it withdrawn in honour of Diego Maradona and France rued its absence in their World Cup opener against Senegal.

It is the number 10 shirt — arguably soccer’s most potent symbol of attacking flair and creativity.

Players don’t sulk if they can’t wear the number five on their back. No one is really bothered if they’re given the number 11 rather than the number eight.

But certain shirt numbers come with a weight of history and expectation — none more so than the number 10.

But what exactly does it symbolise and what kind of player gets to wear it?

Some of the number 10s at the 2002 World Cup are recognisably strikers — England’s Michael Owen or Spain’s Diego Tristan for example.

But more usually, the number 10 is a free spirit, roaming the space between midfield and attack, seeking to tease open the opposing defence with an unforeseen run on goal or a pinpoint pass to the strikers.

Michel Platini, Zico and Roberto Baggio performed that role at past World Cups — Zinedine Zidane is their natural heir this time round.

Raised on a diet of Platini, the current generation of French fans know the importance of number 10s, and what it means to be without one.

Although Ronaldo grabs the headlines for Brazil with his goals when fit, it’s Rivaldo in the number 10 shirt who pulls the strings behind the forwards with his tireless running and clever passes into space to create numerous chances.

Luis Figo is the biggest name in the Portuguese squad but for many his team mate and number 10 Rui Costa is the more exciting player — a footballing aristocrat who can turn a game with a backheel, a flick of his boot or a 40-metre pass.

Italian club Napoli have “retired” the number 10 shirt in honour of Maradona.

Argentina would happily do the same were it not for a ruling from FIFA this week that bars them from doing so.

But Pele, Baggio, Zico, Platini and Maradona have had their day and, for some, the magic of the number 10 is on the wane.—Reuters