FIFA Rules Block Argentina’s Plan To Retire Messi’s No. 10

Argentina’s plan to retire Lionel Messi’s iconic No. 10 shirt has reportedly run into FIFA regulations governing squad numbers at international tournaments.

According to GOAL, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) wanted to permanently retire the shirt in honour of Messi following his decision to bring his international career to an end.

Messi announced on August 31 that he would retire from international football after more than two decades representing Argentina.

The Inter Miami forward is expected to make his farewell appearance in front of the Argentine public on October 6, when the world champions face Benin in an international friendly at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

Messi has made 207 international appearances and scored 125 goals for Argentina, wearing the No. 10 shirt for much of his illustrious career.

However, FIFA regulations require teams participating in its international final tournaments to use squad numbers from 1 to 26, meaning Argentina cannot permanently withdraw the No. 10 shirt.

Liberia faced a similar situation after retiring the No. 14 shirt in honour of former striker and president George Weah.

FIFA regulations subsequently required Liberia to make the number available during their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has yet to decide who will eventually inherit Messi’s famous shirt.

“We are not obliged to assign it for the upcoming matches, so we will give it to no one until after Leo’s farewell match. We just have not yet decided who,” ESPN quoted Scaloni as saying.

However, ESPN Argentina reporter Federico Bueno reported that Nico Paz is the leading candidate to take over the shirt if Scaloni extends his contract.

“If Scaloni extends his contract as Argentina head coach, then Nico Paz will be the new No. 10. That has been decided internally,” Bueno said.

Paz, 22, is an attacking midfielder who came through Real Madrid before joining Italian club Como permanently for a reported €60 million last summer.

He has made 11 appearances for Argentina and scored once.