Lionel Messi’s No. 10 is likely one of the most well-known shirt numbers in soccer, however Argentina can’t retire it completely after his worldwide profession.
The Argentine Soccer Affiliation has needed to honour Messi by taking the quantity out of circulation. However FIFA’s guidelines for main worldwide tournaments are the issue.
For competitions just like the World Cup, FIFA requires groups to assign squad numbers from 1 to 26 after they have a 26-player squad. Meaning Argentina can’t merely go away No. 10 empty whereas giving the opposite gamers the remaining numbers. FIFA’s personal 2026 World Cup rules affirm that numbers 1 by way of 26 are allotted to every workforce’s gamers, and No. 1 is reserved for a goalkeeper.
So Argentina can’t say that no one ought to ever put on Messi’s shirt once more; the quantity would nonetheless should be assigned to a participant when the subsequent relevant event comes round.
Argentina can maintain the quantity unused in pleasant matches, as a method to honour Messi’s legacy. Coach Lionel Scaloni has additionally mentioned that no one would put on the No. 10 earlier than Messi’s farewell match towards Benin on October 6.
Argentina has truly been by way of this earlier than.
The nation tried to retire Diego Maradona’s No. 10 earlier than the 2002 World Cup. FIFA rejected the transfer as a result of the quantity needed to stay a part of Argentina’s event squad numbering, and Argentina finally gave the shirt to Ariel Ortega.
Now, greater than 20 years later, Argentina faces the identical drawback with Messi.
The No. 10 will be protected as a tribute to Messi throughout sure matches, however when Argentina enters a serious FIFA event, the quantity can’t merely be faraway from the squad listing.
And meaning the shirt worn by Maradona after which Messi will finally have one other identify on the again.
