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Argentina's Iconic No. 10: Why Messi's Jersey Can't Be Retired
7 Oct
Summary
- FIFA regulations mandate national teams use numbers 1-23 without gaps.
- Messi's iconic No. 10 shirt must be reassigned to another player.
- Young prospects and experienced players are candidates to wear No. 10 next.
Lionel Messi's upcoming final match for Argentina marks the conclusion of a legendary career, and his iconic No. 10 jersey will continue to be worn by another player. FIFA international regulations strictly require all national teams to assign numbers 1-23 consecutively, prohibiting any gaps in the squad's numerical order. This rule prevents Argentina from retiring Messi's No. 10, forcing the national team to allocate it to a different player for upcoming matches.
The departure of Messi from the No. 10 shirt opens the door for various talents. Young prospects like Franco Mastantuono are considered, though they need to further develop their game. Angel Correa and Paulo Dybala have previously worn the number during Messi's absences but are less likely to be considered for the immediate future.
Strong candidates to inherit the iconic number include Enzo Fernandez, currently wearing No. 8, and emerging talent Nico Paz. However, the decision may also depend on squad experience, with players like Giovani Lo Celso or Exequiel Palacios potentially opting for the No. 10 if selected. Historically, legends like Diego Maradona and Mario Kempes famously wore Argentina's No. 10, with Juan Roman Riquelme preceding Messi in the jersey.
