Does Neymar Deserve to Keep Brazil’s No. 10?
Is the No. 10 Shirt Still Neymar’s?
The controversy erupted in Brazil after several reports claimed that Vinicius Jr. would inherit the historic No. 10 jersey of the national team, while Neymar would switch to the No. 13 shirt. Although the information was later denied because the squad numbers have not been officially assigned yet, the debate is already underway: who should wear the most iconic jersey in Brazilian football history?
Brazil’s No. 10 is not just any number. It is a symbol. Legendary players such as Pelé, Zico, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, and Kaká all wore it. Neymar has carried the shirt for more than a decade and became the natural heir to that tradition. The first time he wore the iconic jersey was on June 21, 2013, and since then he has rarely given it up whenever he was available for the national team.
Vinicius Represents Brazil’s Future
On the other hand, Vinicius Jr. represents both the present and the future of Brazil. The Real Madrid star first wore the No. 10 jersey on June 17, 2023, during a period when Neymar was sidelined with an injury. Since then, many fans have started to see Vini as the new football leader of the Brazilian squad.
Now, with Carlo Ancelotti having both players in the squad, the decision becomes even more significant. Neymar can rely on his hierarchy, experience, and the influence he still carries inside the locker room. Players such as Raphinha have publicly spoken about how important Neymar continues to be for the group, both on and off the pitch.
If Brazil chooses to respect hierarchy, the most logical outcome would be for Neymar to keep the No. 10 shirt, while Vinicius Jr. returns to the No. 7 jersey, a number he has already worn for both Real Madrid and the national team.
Neymar Could Set a Historic Record
There is also an important historical detail at stake. If Neymar plays in the next World Cup wearing the No. 10 jersey, he would become the only Brazilian player ever to wear that number in four different FIFA World Cups, surpassing even Pelé.
Ironically, Pelé himself received the No. 10 shirt because of an administrative mistake during the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden. Brazil failed to send its official squad number list to FIFA, and the organization assigned the numbers randomly. That coincidence eventually turned the No. 10 into the most iconic jersey number in football history.
So the question remains open: should the No. 10 still belong to Neymar, or is it finally time for Vinicius Jr. to take over?
