just what is a fantasista?...

Was Roberto Baggio the last of the true fantasista?

Our main, ongoing feature will be to intermittently bring you the greatest playmakers the football world has ever seen. Fantasista legends. Here, 10 is the magic number.

Never in the sport has a number gained such a cult following - a symbol of creativity and invention, of imagination and entertainment, of artistry and magic. All, standing against the pragmatism of hard line tactics and overbearing athleticism which has increased over the years in the modern game.

Over the last 15 years, tactics, along with the growing distrust by managers who saw this type of player as a mere luxury, have forced today’s ‘fantasista’ to adapt and take on new positions and responsibilities. Indeed the true number 10’s of old have all but vanished from today’s game. As Jonathan Wilson described in a piece for 4-4-2 magazine, it’s become “…increasingly harder for a classical playmaker to find a role” and “The players who would have been playmakers had to find new roles”.


That’s not to say they do not entirely exist however, albeit in another form. We only have to look at the likes of Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Mesut Ozil and Wesley Sneijder to see these effects.
These players have flourished in the new interpretation, but their roots will always remain within the spirit of the classical number 10 – the fantasista.

Zidane wore no.7,21 & 5 for his clubs

So what makes a classic fantasista?

Is it all in the number? As stated, 10 is the magic number. The shirt is a symbol. However, with the introduction of squad numbers it was quite possible for the teams fantasista to adorn another number. Zinedine Zidane is case in point. At Juve he wore 21 and at Real Madrid he was their no 5. However, internationally for France there was only one choice at no 10. So in essence the classic fantasista embodies the symbol of the number 10 shirt.

What else? Well they were icons, portrayed as a glamour figure, a unique character adored by their fans and a symbol of all things expressive – the creative genius. They were often seen as exotic and precocious, rare and precious. If they failed to function, their side often suffered – they were the conductors of the team. At the height of his power no other player could come close on the football pitch.

The greatest fantasista of them all?

Usually deployed just behind the striker/s in a role that was given a free reign, but more often than not adopting central positions. Slight adjustments on the role varied and tended to fall into two categories: the, more of a forward than a midfielder, and the, more of a midfielder than a forward. However what always remained constant was the skill set and a lack of defensive duties.

Weapons of choice were unrivalled technique, sublime close control and dribbling skills, seemingly supernatural vision and a supreme sense of awareness and ability to inspire. Charged with both scoring and creating goals, they were often deadly from set pieces – with spectacular free kicks a particular common repertoire. As very cool finishers the fantasista often finished amongst the highest scorers of their team…and often provided more assists than they scored.

Playmaker, trequartista, the no.10, enganche, ponta da lanca, in the hole. These mystical players went by many names throughout various countries. But one thing is universal, without them, football would be nowhere near as spectacular.

Fantasista’s we salute you!