The 20 Players Who Received a Perfect 10/10 from L’Équipe
L’Équipe is famously one of the harshest publications in football when it comes to player ratings. Over the decades, only a select group of players have achieved the mythical 10/10 score — often for truly once-in-a-lifetime performances. Here’s a complete retrospective of all 20 players who have earned this rare distinction, beginning with the very first.
Franck Sauzée (France U21 vs Greece U21, 1988)
Sauzée became the first player ever to receive a 10/10, thanks to his dominant display in the second leg of the U21 European Championship final. He scored twice to guide France to a 3-0 win and the title.
Bruno Martini (France U21 vs Greece U21, 1988)
In the same match as Sauzée, Martini put on a goalkeeping clinic to earn his own perfect score. The young French keeper was instrumental in keeping a clean sheet and lifting the trophy.
Oleg Salenko (Russia vs Cameroon, 1994)
Salenko stunned the world by scoring five goals in a single World Cup group match. His ruthless finishing led Russia to a 6-1 win and secured his place in tournament history.
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Lars Windfeld (Aarhus vs Nantes, 1997)
The Danish goalkeeper was a brick wall in the UEFA Cup first round. His saves helped Aarhus defeat Nantes 1-0 and progress, earning him L’Équipe’s praise and a perfect rating.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona vs Arsenal, 2010)
Messi tore Arsenal apart with four goals in a 4-1 Champions League victory. It was a career-defining performance and made him the first player since 1997 to receive a 10.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona vs Bayer Leverkusen, 2012)
Two years later, Messi did it again — this time scoring five goals in a 7-1 demolition of Leverkusen. He became the first player to receive two 10s, confirming his GOAT status.
Robert Lewandowski (Dortmund vs Real Madrid, 2013)
Lewandowski humiliated Madrid in a Champions League semifinal, scoring all four goals in a 4-1 win. A generational striker announcing himself on the biggest stage.
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Carlos Eduardo (Nice vs Guingamp, 2014)
The Brazilian midfielder netted five goals in a 7-2 Ligue 1 victory. It was an out-of-nowhere performance that instantly etched his name into football trivia history.
Neymar (PSG vs Dijon, 2018)
Neymar was at his destructive best with four goals and two assists in an 8-0 rout. It was peak Neymar: flamboyant, clinical, and utterly unstoppable.
Dusan Tadic (Ajax vs Real Madrid, 2019)
Tadic orchestrated one of the biggest upsets in UCL history, helping Ajax destroy Madrid 4-1 in the Bernabéu. He contributed a goal and two assists in a masterclass of control and composure.
Lucas Moura (Tottenham vs Ajax, 2019)
Moura’s legendary second-half hat-trick completed one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history. His last-minute winner sent Spurs to their first-ever final.
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Serge Gnabry (Bayern vs Tottenham, 2019)
Returning to North London, Gnabry scored four times in a 7-2 Champions League rout of Spurs. It was a perfect night of revenge and redemption.
Kylian Mbappé (France vs Kazakhstan, 2021)
Mbappé netted four goals in an 8-0 World Cup qualifier win. His blistering pace and lethal finishing showed why he’s one of the world’s top talents.
Alban Lafont (Nantes vs PSG, 2022)
Lafont made nine crucial saves as Nantes stunned PSG 3-1. His performance was the first by a goalkeeper to earn a 10 since 1997.
Erling Haaland (Man City vs Man United, 2022)
Haaland dominated the Manchester derby with a hat-trick and two assists in a 6-3 win. It was a brutal showcase of his raw physical power and killer instinct.
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Erling Haaland (Man City vs RB Leipzig, 2023)
He followed up with five goals in a single UCL knockout game. Haaland joined Messi as the only player with two perfect 10s — both in the same season.
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta vs Leverkusen, 2024)
Lookman saved his best for the Europa League final, scoring a hat-trick to beat unbeaten Leverkusen 3-0. A historic night for Atalanta and African football.
Donovan Léon (Auxerre vs PSG, 2024)
Léon made an astonishing 11 saves to keep a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw against PSG. It was one of the greatest underdog goalkeeper displays ever seen in Ligue 1.
Désiré Doué (PSG vs Inter, 2025)
Doué became the first player to have three goal involvements in a Champions League final, helping PSG thrash Inter 5-0. At just 19, he stole the spotlight from global stars.
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João Neves (PSG vs Toulouse, 2025)
Neves stunned Ligue 1 with a midfield hat-trick, including two bicycle kicks and a long-range screamer. His performance was hailed as one of the best hat-tricks ever by a midfielder.
