Table of Contents
- So, what is a trequartista in soccer?
- Trequartista vs. the false nine: Differences?
- What attributes does a good trequartista need?
- Five of the best trequartistas in soccer
- Should all teams play with a trequartista?
- Recap: The role of a trequartista in soccer
The most creative players on a soccer field are a sight to behold. As fans, we can’t help but be mesmerized by their vision and ability to operate in tight spaces.
Perhaps the most fascinating creative role on the field is the trequartista, a modern yet endangered position that requires guile and grace.
This article will look at what the role of trequartista entails, give some examples of the best to have performed in the role, and why it can be so valuable to a team.
So, what is a trequartista in soccer?
A trequartista is a player who is situated in the “No.10” position, which is the space between the midfield and forwards. The name is derived from Italian, with trequartista meaning “three quarters”, alluding to how far up the field the player will operate when performing the role.
Throughout the years, the role of the trequartista has been to create meaningful chances for their attackers. The main reason they are positioned where they are is to confuse the opposition; should they be under the marking duty of the midfield or the defense because the trequartista is in that hole?
Of course, savvy defenses will adapt to systems that incorporate a trequartista, which is perhaps why we’re seeing fewer of them in the game today than we have done in decades gone by.
Trequartista vs. the false nine: Differences?
The spaces that a trequartista and a false nine operate in are similar, but their duties are a bit different.
A false nine will be lined up as a forward, perhaps the spearhead of the team when an attacking move isn’t happening. When your side is in possession and the move is advancing, the false nine will drop deep, attracting the attention of defenders with him, to create space for his attacking partners – often wingers.
A false nine also overloads the midfield to potentially swamp out opposition players and retrieve the ball in a good position.
Conversely, a trequartista isn’t lined up as an attacker like a false nine but is still actively involved in attacking moves. Trequartistas are unlikely to ever be the highest player up the field like a false nine, lingering in that No.10 hole through most of the game.
What attributes does a good trequartista need?
A trequartista must have neat footwork. The chances are that, in the hole between the opposition’s defense and midfield, you could be granted a moment of space so you need to exploit this opportunity with nifty feet, shifting the ball into a more threatening area.
Vision is a useful capability when operating as a trequartista because your strikers will likely start making an incisive run as soon as you receive the ball because they will expect a through ball, or similarly threatening pass, to be laid into them by you.
It might be an underrated attribute to possess, but a willingness to receive the ball at any moment, even if you are well-marked, can create space elsewhere for your team. If you consider that defenders will be dragged out of their usual positions when you receive the ball in that gap, other attacking players can exploit that space by moving into it and starting a menacing move.
Five of the best trequartistas in soccer
Many people’s choice for the best trequartista ever (and maybe best ever player to some) is Diego Maradona. The little magician occupied that hole and tortured defenses routinely, contributing to magnificent goals for Argentina and Napoli over the years.
A short hop across South America brings us to Brazil, where Kaká showcased his frightening ability to shift away from defenders and instigate dangerous attacks. The talismanic midfielder made a name for himself in Europe at AC Milan and then joined Real Madrid.
‘The Eighth King of Rome’, as he’s colloquially known in the Italian capital, achieved greatness for Roma for over 20 years. Slotting into that trequartista role was second nature to Francesco Totti who made it look easy, winning a World Cup and Serie A title.
At the peak of his powers, Wesley Sneijder was a phenomenal trequartista. His form, at different points of his career, at Ajax and Inter in particular was exceptional; so good, in fact, that he was tipped to solve some of Manchester United’s issues in their prime. His artistry set up countless chances for his teammates and led them to respective successes.
As his career progressed, Zinédine Zidane’s position on the field became deeper, but during his Juventus and early Real Madrid years, he was an unstoppable force in that gap producing inevitable results.
| Player | National Team | Clubs | Appearances | Goals | Statistics* |
| Diego Maradona | Argentina | Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla, Newell’s Old Boys | 582 | 293 | 8 World Cup assists – still a record to this day |
| Kaká | Brazil | São Paulo, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Orlando City | 553 | 178 | 147 club assists |
| Francesco Totti | Italy | Roma | 677 | 259 | 201 total assists |
| Wesley Sneijder | Netherlands | Ajax, Real Madrid, Inter, Galatasaray, Nice, Al-Gharafa | 539 | 148 | 145 club assists |
| Zinédine Zidane | France | Cannes, Bordeaux, Juventus, Real Madrid | 614 | 126 | 138 club assists |
Should all teams play with a trequartista?
The position of trequartista still has value in modern soccer, even its popularity is waning. It can provide a constant attacking outlet which you are able to find from midfield or defense.
However, the position has become easier to mark because the trequartista doesn’t move between the lines as much as other roles. Managers these days want their players to flexible and malleable, shifting from space to space to aid the team. Trequartistas can be accused of being affixed to one hole on the pitch.
It’s for this reason that many manager don’t employ the position these days, but you will occasionally still find this type of player roaming the No.10 area looking to exploit defenses.
Recap: The role of a trequartista in soccer
As we’ve discovered, some of the best players of all time have occupied the trequartista role, to the delight and adoration of fans for generations.
Whether the role will make a renaissance in soccer remains to be seen, but we can admire the work of former legends and assess for ourselves which players possess the capabilities to be an effective trequartista.