Why Argentina Cannot Retire Messi’s Iconic No. 10 Jersey
Following Lionel Messi’s emotional departure from international football, a massive debate has ignited across Argentina: should the country retire his legendary No. 10 jersey? While the desire to honor the nation’s greatest-ever player and all-time leading scorer is universal among fans, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) faces an immovable obstacle in the form of rigid FIFA regulations.
A History Repeating Itself
The aspiration to immortalize the No. 10 shirt is not unprecedented. Back in 2001, following a unanimous vote by the AFA, the association attempted to retire the number in honor of the late Diego Maradona. At the time, the sentiment was clear, with Argentine newspaper Olé famously declaring the decision “God’s will.”
However, the effort hit an immediate roadblock when officials looked to the 2002 World Cup. FIFA, the governing body of world football, strictly mandates that all squads participating in its official tournaments must use a numerical sequence from 1 to 26. Because no number can be left out, the AFA was forced to abandon its plan. Consequently, the jersey was passed down to Ariel “El Burrito” Ortega for the tournament, proving that even a national icon’s legacy cannot supersede FIFA’s administrative requirements.
The Bureaucratic Barrier
The current issue remains identical to the one faced over two decades ago. While the AFA, including president Claudio Tapia, has expressed a public intent to retire the shirt, they are bound by the same tournament bylaws. FIFA rules dictate that every player selected for a 26-man tournament roster must wear an assigned number; skipping the number 10 is simply not an option.
While Argentina has the autonomy to withhold the number during friendly matches—where FIFA’s strict squad-number rules are not applied—the moment the team enters a major competition like the Copa América or the World Cup, the shirt must be assigned to an active player.
The Search for a Successor
With retirement off the table, the focus has shifted to the heavy burden of finding a successor. Inheriting the number once worn by both Maradona and Messi is a daunting prospect for any young player.
Reports from ESPN Argentina suggest that the AFA has an internal succession plan, with 21-year-old rising star Nico Paz frequently cited as a potential heir, provided that head coach Lionel Scaloni remains at the helm. Other midfield talents like Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, and Thiago Almada have also been discussed in the conversation surrounding the Argentina team’s future.
Ultimately, while the jersey cannot be placed in a trophy cabinet as a retired relic, it remains a symbol of the immense legacy Messi leaves behind. Whoever steps onto the pitch wearing that iconic number will face the impossible challenge of living up to the standards set by the two greatest figures in the country’s footballing history.
