Gallas Vibes: Defender Laporte Wears Number 10 Shirt for Spain

In a sight rarely seen on a football pitch, centre-back Aymeric Laporte was spotted wearing the iconic number 10 shirt for Spain in their World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria last night. The unusual number choice immediately brought back memories of another famous defender to wear the number: William Gallas at Arsenal.

Defender Laporte Wears Number 10 Shirt for Spain

The reason for Laporte's 'promotion' to the number 10 is not a tactical revolution, but a simple matter of squad registration.

The usual owner of the shirt, Dani Olmo, withdrew from the squad due to injury. Laporte was called up as a late replacement, and the number 10 was the only squad number left available for him to take for the match against Bulgaria.

Interestingly, this is not the first time a non-attacking player has worn the number 10 for Spain in recent years. Back in the 2022-23 Nations League, the versatile player Sergi Roberto also wore the number 10 for La Roja in a match against France.

Of course, the most famous example of a defender wearing the number 10 in the modern era is William Gallas. The French centre-back was controversially handed the shirt at Arsenal, a decision that is still talked about by football fans to this day.

While Laporte's case was one of necessity rather than choice, seeing a central defender in the number 10 shirt remains a unique and memorable sight in international football.

What do you think of a defender wearing the number 10? What's the strangest squad number choice you can remember? Let us know in the comments below.