Is there a shirt that has always been filled by a world-class player?

[Rogin the Armchair fan]

I got thinking about this reading about Gerd Muller's passing. Germany's centre-forward (not worried about nuances of position names or 'false number nines' or any of that bollocks) has pretty much, certainly as far as I can remember, always been regarded as world class, I think. Uwe Seeler, then Gerd Muller, Rummenigge, Voller, Klinsmann, Thomas Muller, Klose, now Gnabry.

Others? Brazil's no 10? Man United's central midfielder? England's goalkeeper?

[ursus arctos]

Dieter Müller, Klaus Fischer, Kevin Kuranyi, Mario Gomez?

[Sheep]

In two of their three Euro 2004 games, Germany played Kevin Kuranyi as only striker. He was joined by Fredi Bobic in the scoreless draw with Latvia. Not exactly vintage.

In surrounding years, they often played Carsten Jancker in that spot.

[jwdd27]

Brazil's #10 has a better claim, but is let down in 1990 (Paulo Silas, who I don't recall), and 1994 (Raí, who was solid rather than spectacular).
Otherwise since Pele at World Cups it's been: Rivellino, Rivellino, Zico, Zico..... Rivaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaká and Neymar, who all fit the bill.

[Patrick Thistle]

Manchester United #7 has been worn by Cantona, Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, and now Cavani in the Premier League.

(Also worn by Angel Di Maria, Alexis Sanchez and Memphis Dupay so it's not always been a player who has been a success at OT)

[ursus arctos]

Paulo Silas was a numbering anomaly. He didn't start any of the four matches they played in 1990 (and failed to make a lasting impression at either Cesena or Samp after the tournament)

If not quite up to the standards of the others, Rai was the best player in France for several years

[tee rex]

Italy goalkeepers? Although they tend to average a decade or two in the job, so it's harder to recall the duff ones.

[ursus arctos]

Pagliuca is the weakest link with the most caps since Zoff. Toldo was very good for a short period.

[Antepli Ejderha]

The Argentina 10 has to be a contender here.

Maradona to Messi via Riquelme, Veron and Ortega amongst others.

[1974ddr]

A pedant writes: I'm a bit thrown by the OP: do you mean a position, rather than a specific shirt/number? Of the German forwards mentioned, Gerd Muller famously wore number 13, as did/does Thomas, possibly not coincidentally. Rummenigge and Klose favoured the number 11 shirt, Klinsmann wore 18 and Gnabry wore 10 at the recent Euros. So only Seeler and Voller regularly wore the number nine, false or otherwise.

[Tony C]

Manchester United #7 has been worn by Cantona, Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, and now Cavani in the Premier League.

(Also worn by Angel Di Maria, Alexis Sanchez and Memphis Dupay so it's not always been a player who has been a success at OT)

Also Bryan Robson and occasionally George Best before the PL.

[Rogin the Armchair fan]

A pedant writes: I'm a bit thrown by the OP: do you mean a position, rather than a specific shirt/number? Of the German forwards mentioned, Gerd Muller famously wore number 13, as did/does Thomas, possibly not coincidentally. Rummenigge and Klose favoured the number 11 shirt, Klinsmann wore 18 and Gnabry wore 10 at the recent Euros. So only Seeler and Voller regularly wore the number nine, false or otherwise.

Yes. A "position". So get on with it. Tssh.

[G-Man]

Germany have had a string of world-class goalkeepers in the last 50 years: Neuer, Lehmann, Kahn, Köpke, Illgner, Schumacher, Maier, Tilkowski... A few keepers filled in here and there, but these were the undisputed Number Ones over the past 50-odd years. Of these, only Köpke could be argued to have fallen short of world class, if you apply strict criteria to the definition.

[Duncan Gardner]

[1974ddr]

Yes. A "position". So get on with it. Tssh.

Go on then... Italian centre backs? Salvadore, Rosato, Scirea, Bergomi, Vierchowod, Baresi, Costacurta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Bonucci... Or left backs: Facchetti, Cabrini, Maldini, maybe Spinnazzola?

[Tony C]

Germany have had a string of world-class goalkeepers in the last 50 years: Neuer, Lehmann, Kahn, Köpke, Illgner, Schumacher, Maier, Tilkowski... A few keepers filled in here and there, but these were the undisputed Number Ones over the past 50-odd years. Of these, only Köpke could be argued to have fallen short of world class, if you apply strict criteria to the definition.

Italy too, but with the longevity of Zoff and Buffon it’s going to be a shorter list.