FIFA Blocks Argentina’s Plan to Retire Messi’s Iconic No. 10 Shirt

FIFA regulations have reportedly prevented Argentina from permanently retiring the iconic No. 10 shirt worn by Lionel Messi throughout much of his illustrious international career.

According to reports by GOAL.com, the Argentine Football Association had planned to retire the number following Messi’s decision to end his international career.

However, existing FIFA rules require national teams participating in international final tournaments to use squad numbers within the prescribed range, meaning Argentina cannot permanently remove the No. 10 shirt from circulation.

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 final appearance in front of the Argentine public on October 6, when Argentina takes on Benin in an international friendly at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

The 39-year-old has enjoyed an extraordinary international career, making 207 appearances for Argentina and scoring 125 goals.

He has also worn the famous No. 10 shirt for most of his time with the national team, making the number closely associated with his legacy.

Argentina is not the first country to encounter FIFA regulations over the retirement of a shirt number.

Liberia faced a similar situation after attempting to retire the No. 14 shirt in honour of former striker and president George Weah. FIFA regulations later required Liberia to use the number during its 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has yet to officially decide who will take over Messi’s shirt.

He indicated that the team would not immediately assign the number following Messi’s farewell.

“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,” Scaloni was quoted as saying by ESPN.

However, ESPN Argentina reporter Federico Bueno has claimed that Nico Paz could eventually inherit the famous shirt if Scaloni extends his contract as Argentina coach.

“If Scaloni extends his contract as Argentina head coach, then Nico Paz will be the new number 10. That has been decided internally,” Bueno reportedly said.

Paz, 22, is an attacking midfielder who began his senior career with Real Madrid before completing a permanent move to Italian club Como for €60 million last summer. He has already made 11 appearances for Argentina and scored one goal.

While FIFA rules mean Messi’s No. 10 cannot be permanently retired, the shirt remains one of the most recognisable numbers in international football, having been worn by the Argentine legend during a career that included major tournament success and numerous individual records

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