Trequartistas are creative players who slot in just behind the striker and are the fulcrum of the attack. They assume the number 10 role, playing between the opposition's midfield and defence.

Roberto Mancini once succinctly said: "The magic of the number ten comes from the trequartista’s feet; the player of inventiveness, the one who is capable of wrong-footing everyone with a piece of skill perhaps even he is not fully aware of."

"Trequartista" is an Italian word, meaning "three quarters." Essentially, these playmakers come to life in the final third with their supremacy on the ball and are not expected to contribute much defensively.

As an example of a Trequartista in modern football, one cannot look past the sublime Lionel Messi, who's assumed a few different attacking positions over the years, but in his prime years at Barcelona, this is the role that suited him perfectly.

Another example, perhaps the first of the most popular players in this position, is the great Johan Cruyff in the great Ajax and Dutch national team.

Who are your favourite Trequartistas? Let us know in the comments!