From Gianni Rivera in the Sixties, to Diego Armando Maradona and Michel Platini in the Eighties, followed by the likes of Roberto Baggio, Alessandro Del Piero and Francesco Totti, the number 10 is undisputedly the most iconic jersey in Italian football.
Known as “fantasisti“, these men are blessed with unusual flair that enables them to change the course of the match with one magical touch. Some like to play right behind the center forward, others start their runs from the flanks, but their extraordinary skills remains their common ground. So let’s take a look at the Top 10 Serie A supporting strikers in the last decade.
10- Rodrigo Palacio
Since making the move from Boca Juniors to Genoa in 2009, the Argentine has been a main staple in Italian football.
Between the Grifone, Inter and Bologna, the owner of the most famous rattail in the sport amassed 357 Serie A appearances, scoring 93 goals and providing 67 assists, earning a place amongst the best supporting strikers in the past decade.
The 39-year-old is currently without a club, but don’t be surprised if he ends up extending his career in Italy in case a suitable offer arises.
9- Josip Ilicic
In the last ten years or so, it’s hard to think of a player who had as many ups and downs in his career as the Atalanta man.
The Slovenian entered Italian football through the gates of Palermo in 2010, and immediately earned the attention of observes with his brilliant set of skills.
However, a less memorable stint at Fiorentina degraded his status amongst calcio fans but, afterwards, he was picked up by Gian Piero Gasperini. The rest, as they say, is history.
Although drama continued to haunt the 33-year-old during his stay in Bergamo, he remains a favorite amongst the purists.
8- Francesco Totti
Whilst some would thrash us for putting the best player in Roma’s history so low on the list, it must be said that during the chosen time span (the last ten years), the Italian’s role on the pitch had been steadily decreasing, until his forced retirement in 2017.
Nonetheless, the iconic number 10 never lost his magical touch – not even at the age of 40 – and his departure left a huge void that will arguably never be filled within his beloved club.
Totti remains the definition of a true fantasista, and he goes down as one of the greatest supporting strikers in the history of the sport.
7- Lautaro Martinez
The Argentine is sometimes deployed as a center forward, as we’ve seen in the Copa America. However, as proven by Antonio Conte’s successful system in the past couple of the seasons, Lautaro plays his best football when paired with a true target man.
The 23-year-old is the youngest man on this list, and therefore, we can only expect him to climb the ranks further, especially if Inter maintains the wonderful partnership between him and Romelu Lukaku for years to come.
6- Carlos Tevez
Our third Argentine on the list (although he won’t be the last). Despite playing his trade in Serie A for two lone years before ending his European tour, Carlitos was arguably the best player in the league during that period.
Whilst most men on this list rely mostly on their impeccable touch and flair, the Boca Juniors legend had something different within his game – a fighting spirit that is usually reserved for the fiercest of defenders.
The former Juventus man combined that hunger with some dazzling runs and spectacular goals, and you simply get one of the most exciting supporting strikers in the game.
5- Lorenzo Insigne
Contrary to what some may believe, making it at Napoli was never easy for the hometown boy. The number 24 was jeered and whistled at times by his own people, and criticized for every poor play.
Whilst a lesser man would have been completely wrecked by the pressure, the Euro 2020 winner defied all difficulties to earn his spot as the main man at the Maradona Stadium.
Italian football fans have become accustomed to Insigne’s entertaining style of play, but the worldwide audience were left in awe following his trademark goal against Belgium in the European Championship – eventually earning him a special place in the dictionary.
4- Alejandro Gomez
Despite the Argentine’s unceremonious departure from the club last January, Atalanta managed to earn yet another 3rd place finish.
However, one must never forget the major role that Papu played for the Orobici – especially during the earlier years of Gasperini’s era, when the likes of Ilicic, Luis Muriel, Duvan Zapata and Robin Gosens were yet to arrive at Bergamo.
Back then, the current Sevilla man was the ultimate star of the show, dragging La Dea from their mid-table status into a recognizable force in the league with his sheer flair and talent.
3- Dries Mertens
The Belgian has reached the autumn of his playing career, but his exploits in calcio shouldn’t be forgotten.
When Gonzalo Higuain left Napoli for Juventus in 2016, “Ciro” unexpectedly turned himself into a goal-scoring machine to make up for El Pipita’s departure.
Despite not being a true center forward, the 34-year-old currently holds the record for the most goals scored for Napoli, surpassing the likes of Diego Maradona, Edinson Cavani and Marek Hamsik.
2- Cristiano Ronaldo
Some would argue that the Portuguese superstar plays as a center forward at times, however, most of his appearances in a Juventus jersey saw him starting from the left flank, before making the runs towards the opposition’s box.
Undoubtedly one the greatest supporting strikers of all time, Ronaldo’s presence has been a blessing for Serie A in terms of exposure, but more importantly, his performances on the pitch further cemented his status as a mercurial talent.
1- Paulo Dybala
We started with an Argentine, and we rightfully end with another.
Despite being plagued with physical problems throughout the previous campaign, La Joya has been the best interpreter of the second striker role in the last decade, at the very least in Italian football.
From his early days at Palermo to his exploits at Juventus, the 27-year-old is undoubtedly one the best talents in this day and age, as he’s able to create countless chances for his teammates, or instead go for the goal himself, making him a complete menace for the opposition.