More than a playmaker: What the number 10 really means at Bayern

At FC Bayern, the number 10 is traditionally not the number of the playmaker, but of the player who makes the difference: the fighter, the leader, the centre-forward. Here, five former FC Bayern number 10s talk about what it meant to them to wear this number on the red jersey.

Uli Hoeneß on a 10 based on the system

“In our day, although I had the number 10, I have to say it didn’t have any overriding significance for me. We didn’t a proper playmaker in our system like Günter Netzer at Mönchengladbach or Wolfgang Overath at Köln, or like Pelé was. With us, Franz Beckenbauer dictated play from the back and he was number 5.

My number was just due to the system. I played behind Gerd Müller in the middle, the left-winger wore 11, normally the number 7 was on the right, and I played around Gerd in the middle with the 10. I wasn't generally the type of person who cared about numbers – only at the 1974 World Cup did I choose 14, which I liked because I was impressed by Johan Cruyff's style. The greatest 10 in my eyes was Diego Maradona because he mostly played in teams that weren’t packed with stars and led them to success, like he did with Napoli and for Argentina. He single-handedly won the 1986 World Cup final, for example. 

In my view, Jamal Musiala absolutely deserves to wear the number 10. He has exceptional abilities and a magic that the really great 10s exude. Funnily enough, he plays in a similar position now to what I did back in the day: he also comes through the middle and supports our number 9 Harry Kane from deep. When Jamal is on the ball, you always have the feeling that something’s going to happen that wouldn’t happen with others. I really like how he bravely takes on every challenge.“

Lothar Matthäus and the variable 10

“The 10 has changed over time – before there was Pelé, Günter Netzer, Wolfgang Overath, then in my time Diego Maradona and Michel Platini. But what’s remained the same to this day is that, as a rule, 10 is worn by a difference maker. That’s why it also suits Jamal Musiala, who interprets the game in a very different way to the greats mentioned.

I never felt like a real number 10. I didn’t see myself as a playmaker, as a conductor. More of a number eight. But I was someone who directed the team. When I moved from Bayern to Inter Milan, the 8 was taken, as was the 6, and our coach Giovanni Trapattoni said: ‘You’re maybe not a 10, but in terms of importance on the pitch you’re just as important for me as Platini, who I had at Juventus.’ That was a huge accolade. And that’s how I became a 10. Trap probably saved the number for me because 10 had great significance, especially in Italy. He wanted to show who was leading the team. I didn’t need the captain’s armband – Giuseppe Bergomi had that – and we always complemented each other perfectly.

In terms of my playing style, I was definitely not the number 10 that people imagined back then. Those were the elegant players. But I would say that I also made a difference. When you have a central role in the team, you have to bring your teammates with you – they need to know that you can empathise with them. You are the link to the coach. Jamal brings other, very special qualities to the table: his movements and his style of play are unique in Europe. I'm glad he's the number 10 – he deserves it. He's the reason we go to the stadium, because he's someone who makes a difference."

Arjen Robben, a winger with the magic of 10

“I played with other squad numbers in my career but the one I had for the longest was 10. I was at FC Bayern for 10 years and was the number 10 for 10 years, even though I wasn’t a typical 10. I was a winger and mostly wore 11 or 7 for other clubs and for the national team. Normally 10 is worn by a creative player, a playmaker. Despite that I was given this number. It was just free at the time and the club also wanted me to take it. Today I’m proud to have worn it for so long at such a big club.

The number 10 has a special magic. It’s associated with great names in football. In my opinion, the greatest 10s are Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. I think it’s absolutely right that Jamal Musiala is now wearing it at FC Bayern. Although he’s still so young, he has everything you need to be able to shoulder the 10. I hope he comes back strongly after his injury and then I’m sure he’ll thrill us as the number 10 at Bayern for a long time. Gladly for 10 years too.“

Ciriaco Sforza on glamour and responsibility

“Football today is different from when I played. The classic playmaker, the real number 10, hardly exists anymore. In modern football, players have to be versatile, operate from box to box and be able to take on many tasks. During my playing days, the number 10 had a special significance. It stood for the playmaker, the one who had the team under control. Having it on your shirt was something very special. Just think of the players who wore it in the past: Lothar Matthäus, Pelé, Platini, Zinédine Zidane... They all lend this number its glamour.

Jamal Musiala has the ability to join that list. He’s still young but when you watch him, the way he moves, the way he takes the ball and sees his teammates, then it’s clear to me: he can become a really great 10.

I myself am still very proud to have worn the number 10 at Bayern Munich – and as the direct successor to Lothar Matthäus. Lothar achieved everything in football, he left huge footsteps. I wore 10 on my back previously in Kaiserslautern – to then be given it in Munich was a special honour for me. It showed to me that the club had great confidence in me, but obviously great expectations as well. But anyone who plays for FC Bayern has to be able to deal with pressure.”

Roy Makaay and 10 as a mark of quality

“At the big clubs, only the very best players wear the number 10 shirt. Players like Lionel Messi at Barcelona in the past or Kylian Mbappé at Real Madrid now. The fact that Jamal Musiala wears the number 10 shirt at Bayern today says a lot about his standing in the team. For me, it's only natural that he was given this number. He plays in attacking midfield and is just as capable of setting up goals as he is of scoring them himself. And he has already proven how important he is to FC Bayern. I'm delighted to finally see him back on the pitch after his injury.

The 10 is equally as significant in Holland as it is in Germany, although 14 is also a very special number for us because of Johan Cruyff. But that’s more for Ajax, where the number 14 has been retired – like the number 5 of Franz Beckenbauer at FC Bayern.

I myself only wore 10 at one club: FC Bayern. In my early years as a professional at in Arnhem, there were no fixed squad numbers. Then at Tenerife I had 18, at La Coruña 7 because 9 was already allocated. The 9 was also taken at Bayern when I joined in 2003. Eight, 10 and 18 were free – and I thought to myself: I’ll take 10. For me as a striker, it was the logical choice.”

Article taken from the February edition of FC Bayern Members’ Magazine ‘51’: