The farewell of Lionel Messi from the Argentina National Team immediately raised one major question among fans and officials: what will happen to the No. 10 shirt that the captain turned into one of La Albiceleste's most important symbols?
The Reason Argentina Cannot Retire Lionel Messi's No. 10
Lionel Messi's retirement has sparked a debate over what will happen to the iconic No. 10 jersey of the Argentina National Team, but FIFA rules prevent the number from being permanently removed in official competitions.
There are voices in Argentina calling for the number to be permanently retired as a tribute to Messi, an idea that had even been publicly discussed by the Argentine Football Association. However, putting that plan into practice in major international tournaments is virtually impossible under FIFA regulations.
FIFA Requires All Squad Numbers to Be Used
The main obstacle comes from the numbering rules for competitions such as the World Cup. In those tournaments, national teams must register their players using the designated squad numbers consecutively, without leaving one number vacant.
That means that, unless the regulations change, the Argentina National Team will eventually have to use the No. 10 again at future World Cups, even if the federation would prefer to reserve it as a tribute to Lionel Messi.
The situation could be different in friendly matches, where there is greater flexibility. Argentina could therefore temporarily leave the No. 10 unused during exhibition games or as part of a special tribute to its legendary captain.
Maradona Faced a Similar Situation
This would not be the first time the Argentine federation has tried to retire the number. Following the career of Diego Maradona, the AFA attempted to do the same ahead of the 2002 World Cup.
The proposal received support within the organization, but FIFA did not allow the number to be removed from the official squad list. Ariel Ortega ultimately wore Argentina's No. 10 during that World Cup.
Now, history could repeat itself with Messi. Players such as Nico Paz, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández and Thiago Almada are among the names who could eventually take on that responsibility, although no final decision has been made.
The No. 10 can be honored and left unused in certain matches, but under the current rules, permanently retiring it in official competitions is not solely Argentina's decision. After Lionel Messi's farewell, someone will eventually have to inherit one of the most iconic numbers in the history of the Argentina National Team.
