Omotayo Fashola
(Lionel Messi. Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP)
FIFA regulations have reportedly prevented Argentina from retiring Lionel Messi’s iconic No. 10 jersey, despite the national team’s desire to honor his legendary career.
According to GOAL.com, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) intended to permanently retire the number following Messi’s retirement announcement, ending his 21-year tenure with La Albiceleste.
The football icon confirmed his international departure on August 31, with his final appearance set for October 6 in a friendly against Benin at Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental.
Messi, who wore the No. 10 for the majority of his record-breaking 207 caps and 125 goals, leaves behind a legacy unmatched in Argentine football history.
However, FIFA’s tournament regulations stipulate that participating nations must assign squad numbers from 1 to 26, ruling out the possibility of permanently retiring any digit.
Liberia encountered a similar issue when attempting to honor ex-captain and former president George Weah by retiring his No. 14 shirt, only to be forced by FIFA to reintroduce it during 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Argentina’s head coach, Lionel Scaloni, has yet to name Messi’s successor for the No. 10 shirt, confirming that the legendary number will remain vacant until after the farewell match.
ESPN reports that Como’s young playmaker Nico Paz has emerged as the frontrunner—provided Scaloni renews his contract—though no official decision has been made.
The 22-year-old Real Madrid academy product, who moved to Como in a €60 million deal last year, has featured in 11 international matches, scoring once.
