BREAKING: FIFA Blocks Argentina From Retiring Messi’s No.10 Iconic Shirt
Lionel Messi will play his final game for Argentina this week, but his number 10 jersey won’t be retired despite the wishes from the Argentine Football Association (AFA) president.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner announced last month that he will be retiring from the international scene after the defeat in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
Foot Mercato reported that AFA president Claudio Tapia wanted to retire the number 10 jersey to pay tribute to their World Cup-winning captain.
However, as per FIFA rules, teams at major tournaments must assign jersey numbers from 1 to 26 to the players, meaning someone else will wear the number ten in the next Copa America or World Cup.
Como star Nico Paz wore the number 10 jersey when Argentine defeated Bolivia 4-0 in a friendly on Monday night.
Paz has been seen as the natural successor to Messi’s number 10 jersey following his form for Como in Italy over the past two seasons.
The AFA have organised a farewell match for the 39-year-old against Benin on Tuesday at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, where he will don the famous jersey for the final time in his career.