Messi’s swansong looms, and Argentina now wrestles with an odd dilemma: can his legendary No. 10 ever truly disappear?
The 39‑year‑old will likely bow out on Oct 6 versus Benin at Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental, capping a career that delivered the 2022 World Cup and two Copa América crowns.
The AFA has floated a permanent retirement of the number as a tribute, but FIFA’s tournament rules block that option whenever La Albiceleste lines up for the World Cup or Copa América.
Squads must wear consecutive jerseys from 1 to 26, so the iconic ten can’t simply be omitted; another player will inevitably inherit it in any major competition.
Lionel Messi watching the action.
Argentina faced this before: before the 2002 World Cup the federation tried to retire No. 10 for Maradona, FIFA said no, and Ariel Ortega ended up wearing it.
One niche scenario still lets Argentina shield the number from use.
Friendlies offer more leeway, allowing the team to sidestep FIFA’s strict numbering and potentially leave the number idle, FourFourTwo notes.
Scaloni could therefore leave the shirt vacant during non‑tournament windows, keeping the symbolic link to Messi alive when rules are flexible. In my view, this gesture honors his influence without breaking any regulations.
Messi alongside Lautaro Martínez on the pitch.
The trick only works in select friendlies; once a tournament like the World Cup or Copa América begins, the squad must assign No. 10 to someone.