Argentina Leaves Messi’s No. 10 Shirt Vacant for Friendlies
Lionel Scaloni’s decision means Argentina will not immediately appoint a successor to the legendary forward, with Como midfielder Nico Paz emerging as a leading contender for the iconic shirt
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has decided not to assign Lionel Messi’s iconic number 10 shirt to another player for the national team’s November 2026 international friendlies against Uruguay and Costa Rica, following the former captain’s retirement from international football.
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The decision, reported by Argentine sports outlet TyC Sports on Thursday, November 5, means the famous shirt worn by Messi for almost two decades will remain unassigned during the upcoming FIFA international window as Argentina prepares for life without its greatest modern football icon.
Argentina will face Uruguay on November 13 at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires before taking on Costa Rica on November 17 at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba.
According to TyC Sports, the decision reflects the flexibility surrounding squad numbers in international friendly matches, where teams are not required to assign numbers consecutively from one to 11.
This allows Scaloni to postpone the decision until Argentina resumes its competitive international fixtures, with the next South American qualifying campaign scheduled to begin in 2027.
The temporary decision has also generated interest in who will eventually inherit the shirt, which has become closely associated with Messi’s extraordinary achievements for the national team.
Among the leading candidates is Como midfielder Nicolás Paz, whose performances for the Italian club and Argentina have strengthened his prospects of taking over the prestigious number.
The 22-year-old has impressed with his creativity, technical ability and attacking contributions, scoring in each of Argentina’s three recent international friendlies against Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin.
His international teammate Valentín Barco has openly backed him to inherit the shirt, praising his playing style and expressing enthusiasm about the possibility.
“I like everything about Nico’s game. I really like how he plays. I hope he gets the number 10, I’d love that,” Barco said.
Paz’s growing reputation has made him one of the prominent names in discussions about Argentina’s next generation, although Scaloni has yet to publicly confirm who will take over the number.
Other players are also being considered for the prestigious number.
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández are among the alternatives, alongside Franco Mastantuono, who previously wore Argentina’s number 10 shirt in an official World Cup qualifying match against Ecuador.
Mac Allister has previously worn the number at club level, including during his time at Argentinos Juniors, Brighton and Liverpool, while Fernández is regarded as another option because of his influence in Argentina’s midfield.
A symbolic end to the Messi era
Messi’s departure from international football marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in Argentina’s football history.
The 39-year-old announced his retirement on August 31, 2026, following Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
In his farewell message, Messi expressed his emotional attachment to the national team, acknowledging that the decision was difficult after representing Argentina for more than two decades.
He subsequently returned for a farewell appearance against Benin on October 6 at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, scoring one goal and providing two assists in Argentina’s 3-0 victory.
The occasion attracted approximately 85,000 supporters, with Messi visibly emotional during the celebrations marking the end of his international career.
His international achievements include the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, and more than two decades of service to the national team.
The decision to leave his shirt unassigned also carries historical significance.
Argentina previously attempted to retire the number 10 shirt permanently in honour of Diego Maradona after his death, but FIFA rejected the proposal ahead of the 2002 World Cup because of tournament squad-number requirements.
The number was subsequently worn by Ariel Ortega during that competition.
Argentina’s latest decision is therefore a temporary tribute rather than a permanent retirement of the famous shirt. The national team will eventually need to assign the number when competitive fixtures resume.
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For now, the iconic shirt will remain without an owner as Argentina begins its first international chapter without Messi, while attention gradually shifts towards the next generation of players expected to carry his legacy.
