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Why Argentina Can’t Retire Messi’s No.10 Jersey

ByPablo

Oct 1, 2026 #French Football, #Ligue 1, #ligue1, #PSG
Why Argentina can't retire Messi's No.10 jerseyThe AFA’s wish to retire Messi’s famed No.10 jersey meets a FIFA rule that simply won’t budge.

The Argentine Football Association wants to pull Messi’s famed No.10 kit after his international retirement, yet a FIFA regulation stops it.

Next Tuesday at Buenos Aires’ Monumental, Messi will face Benin in what promises to be his final appearance for Argentina.

At 39, the legend will cap his 208th and last match, a career highlighted by a World Cup triumph and two Copa América titles; after the game, the fate of the iconic number will loom.

Argentina will field a No.10 at the 2030 World Cup. Will the next star live up to the legend?

The AFA has already mulled the idea. President Claudio Tapia hopes to retire the shirt Messi has worn since 2009, following Juan Román Riquelme’s retirement (he previously wore 18 and 19).

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But the AFA can’t retire Messi’s shirt except in friendlies if it wishes. FIFA mandates each squad to assign numbers 1‑26, so No.10 must be given to a player in a World Cup or Copa América. In my view, the rule feels outdated.

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