Perfect 10s: Every Player Awarded a Rare 10/10 from L’Équipe
Known for its brutally strict player ratings, French newspaper L’Équipe has only ever awarded a perfect 10/10 to truly generational performances. In nearly four decades, just 19 players, and one manager — have achieved that flawless score. From youth internationals to Champions League finals, here are all the elite names who've forced even L’Équipe to give in.
Franck Sauzée & Bruno Martini – France U21s 3-0 Greece U21s, 1988
The very first 10/10s went to Sauzée and Martini in the European Under-21 Championship final. Sauzée scored twice from midfield, while Martini produced a string of saves to secure the clean sheet. Both went on to enjoy storied careers, with Martini later becoming France’s national goalkeeping coach.
Oleg Salenko – Russia 6-1 Cameroon, 1994
Salenko made history at the 1994 World Cup by scoring five goals in one match — a record that still stands. Despite Russia’s early exit, he shared the Golden Boot and earned a rare nod of approval from L’Équipe. There was simply no denying him that day.
Lars Windfeld – Aarhus 1-0 Nantes, 1997
Virtually unknown outside Denmark, Windfeld stunned Nantes with a goalkeeping display for the ages. He made several jaw-dropping saves to knock the French side out of the UEFA Cup. Despite his heroics, he never won a cap for Denmark — thanks largely to Peter Schmeichel.
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Lionel Messi – Barcelona 4-1 Arsenal, 2010
It took L’Équipe 13 years to give another 10/10, and naturally, it was Messi who broke the drought. The Argentine magician scored all four goals in a Champions League knockout tie against Arsenal. It was a performance that confirmed his status as football’s greatest talent.
Lionel Messi – Barcelona 7-1 Bayer Leverkusen, 2012
Messi returned to L’Équipe's top tier with five goals in a single Champions League match — the first to ever do so. Bernd Leno could only watch helplessly as Messi glided past defenders and chipped him twice. It was pure Champions League theatre.
Robert Lewandowski – Dortmund 4-1 Real Madrid, 2013
In the Champions League semi-finals, Lewandowski left Real Madrid shell-shocked with four ruthless goals. It was a seismic shift in European football and a statement from Borussia Dortmund. Lewandowski was simply unplayable that night.
Carlos Eduardo – Guingamp 2-7 Nice, 2014
Half of Eduardo’s 10 Ligue 1 goals that season came in one surreal game. He scored five times, including a gorgeous 30-yard free kick that dipped under the bar. It was the kind of performance that makes football feel dreamlike.
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Neymar – PSG 8-0 Dijon, 2018
After a four-year break from handing out perfect scores, L’Équipe was finally convinced again — this time by Neymar. He scored four and assisted two more in an absolute demolition of Dijon. Fans may have booed him for not giving Cavani a penalty, but L’Équipe was all applause.
Dusan Tadic – Real Madrid 1-4 Ajax, 2019
Tadic put on a clinic at the Bernabeu, inspiring Ajax to overturn a 2-1 deficit and eliminate the reigning champions. He scored once and created two more in what was arguably the performance of his career. Tadic made Madrid look second-rate.
Lucas Moura – Ajax 2-3 Tottenham, 2019
With Spurs on the brink of elimination, Moura delivered one of the most dramatic hat-tricks in football history. His last-minute winner completed a second-half comeback and sent Tottenham to their first Champions League final. It was heroic, emotional, and unforgettable.
Serge Gnabry – Bayern Munich 7-2 Tottenham, 2019
Gnabry haunted his former rivals with four goals and an assist in a one-sided rout. It was a humbling night for Spurs and a breakthrough moment for Gnabry on the global stage. Not bad for a player once deemed not good enough for West Brom.
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Kylian Mbappé – France 8-0 Kazakhstan, 2021
Mbappé became the first French player ever to score four goals in a single game for the national team. The opposition may not have been world-class, but his execution was. Even by his high standards, this was something special.
Alban Lafont – Nantes 3-1 PSG, 2022
Lafont delivered a goalkeeping masterclass against the league giants, denying PSG time and again. He made eight crucial saves and helped Nantes hold on to a stunning 3-0 halftime lead. With PSG generating nearly 4 xG, Lafont’s performance was nothing short of miraculous.
Erling Haaland – Man City 6-3 Man United, 2022
Haaland became the first player ever to score a hat-trick in three consecutive home Premier League matches — and he did it against United. He also added an assist in a performance that made headlines worldwide. Haaland didn’t just play; he dominated.
Dominik Livaković – Croatia 1-1 Brazil (4-2 pens), 2022
Livaković made 11 saves during the World Cup quarter-final before shutting down Brazil in the penalty shootout. He stopped Rodrygo’s attempt and stood tall under pressure. Croatia’s dream continued, and Livaković was the hero.
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Erling Haaland – Man City 7-0 RB Leipzig, 2023
Haaland’s second perfect score came after he netted five goals in just 60 minutes. It was his fifth hat-trick of the season, and only Pep Guardiola’s substitution denied him a sixth. He was operating on a level few strikers ever reach.
Ademola Lookman – Atalanta 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen, 2024
In the Europa League final, Lookman tore through unbeaten Leverkusen with a hat-trick of pure class. Each finish was clinical, and his movement constantly shredded the German defense. It was the performance of his life.
Donovan Léon – Auxerre 0-0 PSG, 2024
At 32, Léon had never been in the spotlight — until he shut out PSG with 11 spectacular saves. His heroics earned newly promoted Auxerre a point against the eventual European champions. It was the night of his career.
Désiré Doué – PSG 5-0 Inter, 2025
Doué made history in the Champions League final, assisting one goal and scoring two himself in just 67 minutes. At 19, he became the first player to directly contribute to three goals in a UCL final. PSG won their first European Cup, and Doué had the world at his feet.
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João Neves – Toulouse 3-6 PSG, 2025
In one of Ligue 1’s wildest matches, Neves scored two overhead kicks in the opening 14 minutes — yes, two. He completed his hat-trick with a rocket in the second half. Even L’Équipe had to stand and applaud.
