So when Neymar—one of the most dazzling talents of his generation—wore No. 10, fans naturally wondered: why did he choose it, and what weight does it carry for him? In this article, DeutKick will take you on a journey through the history, meaning, and personal motives behind Neymar’s number choice—so you’ll know exactly why Neymar wears number 10.
The Legendary Weight of Number 10
In football, the number 10 isn’t just a shirt—it’s a symbol. Traditionally, No. 10 is associated with the team’s creative engine: the playmaker, the artist, the one who can unlock defenses with vision or flair. This tradition stretches back through eras of legendary maestros:
- Pele, Brazil’s ultimate icon, wore No. 10 and made it sacred in his country’s football mythology.
- Diego Maradona and later Lionel Messi gave global credence to the number’s power as a talismanic jersey.
- In Brazil’s national team, legends like Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Zico, Ronaldinho and Kaká carried that number before Neymar.
Given that cultural legacy, choosing No. 10 is not a casual decision—it’s a mantle of expectation, legacy, and identity. Clubs and national teams often reserve it for their brightest stars.
In Brazil, the number 10 shirt is almost a crown: part heritage, part burden. Neymar stepping into that role signaled more than status—it was a statement of legacy.
Early Years & Shirt Number Evolution
Before Neymar was ever associated with No. 10, his career followed a more ordinary numerical path.
- At Santos, his first professional club, Neymar initially wore No. 11, not 10.
- In fact, transfer records show that for club stints, Neymar used different numbers depending on availability.
- When he joined Barcelona, No. 11 was still in use (by club tradition and by Messi’s permanence in 10), so Neymar accepted No. 11 during his Catalan years. een News Desk])
Thus, Neymar’s early path to No. 10 was indirect—first fitting around existing legends before eventually claiming it outright.
Neymar And Brazil: Taking On The Sacred Shirt
For Brazil, Neymar’s adoption of the No. 10 shirt was more momentous. His first major assignment of the Brazilian No. 10 came around 2013.
###, he admitted he felt reluctance to wear it—aware of how much the number meant in Brazil. vemesport.com])
But as he matured, he embraced it. In interviews, Neymar has noted that wearing 10 is a tremendous honor—ties to Pele, to Brazil’s footballing lineage, and to the responsibility of being the team’s focal point. Daily Sun])
He first donned the official No. 10 at Brazil during the 2013 Confederations Cup. A month later, he lifted that trophy after Brazil defeated Spain in the final, solidifying early the relevance of that shirt.
Since then, for club and country, Neymar has largely kept No. 10 when available. It became his brand.
At Club Level: PSG, Al-Hilal, Return to Santos
Paris Saint-Germain era
When Neymar moved. 10 shirt as a kind of “welcome gift.” The club’s then-No. 10, Javier Pastore, relinquished it to make way for Neymar.
PSG’s logic was partly symbolic: they wanted to elevate Neymar into the number’s mystique, linking him to legends like Ronaldinho (who also wore 10 at PSG during his time) and signaling his status as the club’s centerpiece. S])
Also, Neymar’s position on the field evolved—he assumed more creative and leadership roles in attack, making the No. 10 number feel more natural.
Al-Hilal and Santos comeback
During his time at Al-Hilal, Neymar continued to wear No. 10, aligning with his brand and identity.
In 2025, Neymar returned to his boyhood club Santos. He reclaimed the No. 10 shirt there—ironically, the same number Pele wore when he made the club legendary.
The symbolism is powerful: Neymar wants to reinscribe himself as heir to that legacy, to breathe life into Santos again via the same jersey number worn by Brazil’s greatest legend.
In his presentation, Neymar said explicitly: “the number 10 … it will be an honor to wear the sacred jersey.”
Thus, Neymar’s number choice is not just tactical—it’s poetic.
The Dynamics of Number 10: Prestige, Identity, and Legacy
To understand why Neymar wears number 10, we need to look dee.
Prestige and marketing power
The number 10 has marketing appeal. Fans gravitate to idols wearing No. 10—jerseys, memorabilia, branding. Neymar, already a global figure, gains an amplified aura by wearing a number associated with legends.
Leadership and tactical role
Though modern football rarely adheres to rigid numbering rules, No. 10 often aligns with creative, attacking midfielders or second strikers. Neymar’s playing style—dribbling, vision, playmaking—fits that mold. The number reinforces his role as a team’s heartbeat.
Continuity and personal brand
Over time, Neymar has made No. 10 his identity. Although he once accepted No. 11 when needed, once he owned No. 10, he has held on to it fiercely—even offering it to Messi in PSG (which Messi declined) to maintain his brand image.
His commitment to the number is part of his narrative: from protected talent to Brazilian icon wearing Pele’s symbolic number back at Santos.
The burden of expectations
With prestige comes expectation. Wearing No. 10 invites comparisons, pressures, and demands. Every performance, especially for Brazil, is measured against legends. Neymar, accepting that burden, shows ambition: he wants to write his name among the greats.
Common Questions & Clarifications
Has Neymar ever worn a number other than 10?
Yes. Early in his career at Santos and Barcelona, he wore No. 11 due to squad constraints or existing legends occupying 10.
Why didn’t Messi get No. 10 at PSG?
When Messi joined PSG, Neymar reportedly offered to cede the No. 10 shirt to him. But Messi declined, recognizing that Neymar had already established his legacy around the number and that it was more fitting for Neymar to keep it.
What happens when Neymar is injured or absent?
In Brazil’s squads during Neymar’s absence, others have worn No. 10 (e.g., Raphinha, Rodrygo). But typically, it’s viewed as Neymar’s shirt by default.
Does wearing 10 influence performance?
While a number doesn’t directly make a player better, symbolism can impact psychology. For Neymar, wearing 10 seems to fuel ambition, leadership, and confidence—especially in Brazil’s iconic role.
Final Thoughts
Why does Neymar wear number 10? Because it encapsulates identity, legacy, and ambition. It’s not just a shirt—it’s a narrative thread weaving Pele’s legend, Brazil’s heritage, and Neymar’s own journey.
Wearing No. 10 honors the past and challenges the present. It signals to fans, rivals, and football’s history that Neymar is staking his claim—on and off the pitch.
If you want more deep dives—into Brazil’s No. 10 lineage, comparisons with other 10s like Messi or Maradona, or how shirt numbers affect playing style—DeutKick is ready to guide you. Keep following us, and let’s keep unlocking the stories behind the beautiful game.
