The Argentina national team faces a special dilemma whenever Lionel Messi is absent: deciding who will wear the number 10 shirt, the most emblematic in Albiceleste history. This time, the surprise came from Real Madrid, with young Franco Mastantuono as the protagonist.

Mastantuono, the new No. 10 in Quito

At just 18 years old, Franco Mastantuono continues to add historic chapters to his budding career. After making his first start against Venezuela, he will now wear the number 10 shirt in the clash against Ecuador. Although he won’t be in the starting lineup, wearing the number that identified Messi for more than a decade means far more than a detail: it’s a vote of confidence from Lionel Scaloni and confirmation that the youngster is on the right path toward a promising future.

In his debut against Venezuela, Mastantuono showed personality. The stage and the shirt didn’t weigh him down: he played an excellent match at the Monumental, created danger, and maintained a high level until he was substituted in the 63rd minute for Nico González. His first official appearance had come months earlier in the 1-0 win over Chile in Santiago, when he came on in the closing minutes.

Against Ecuador, the coach opted for rotation and left the youngster on the bench, bringing in Giuliano Simeone for Thiago Almada and Nico González in place of the Madrid player. Even so, simply wearing Messi’s shirt in a World Cup Qualifier is already a triumph in itself.

The legacy of Argentina’s most symbolic number

During the Scaloni era, few players have had the privilege of wearing the “10” in Messi’s absence. Ángel Correa did so in four Qualifying matches, while Paulo Dybala wore it in two official games. More recently, Thiago Almada emerged as a constant option and seemed the natural successor to carry the shirt.

Now comes Mastantuono, joining that short list of heirs to the most iconic number in Argentine football. His youth, combined with the trust of the coaching staff, places him as a name to watch in the road to the 2026 World Cup.

Regardless of how many minutes he gets on the pitch, the image of Franco Mastantuono wearing Argentina’s number 10 shirt is already a clear signal: the future has arrived earlier than expected, and Real Madrid holds one of the jewels that could shape the Albiceleste’s next chapter.