Scaloni: Argentina will not retire the No.10 shirt after Messi quits international football

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni told reporters on Tuesday that the national team will not retire the iconic No.10 shirt when Lionel Messi ends his international career, a decision announced after Messi declared his retirement following Argentina’s World Cup 2026 final defeat by Spain in July.

Messi will leave Argentina having started three World Cup finals, holding the record for most appearances at the tournament with 34, and the most combined goal involvements in World Cups with 33 (21 goals and 12 assists, since assists were recorded from 1966). His successor in the No.10 role has not been decided.

Scaloni said the shirt will not be assigned for the upcoming fixtures. “We aren’t obligated to assign it for these matches, so we won’t give it to anyone until Leo’s farewell game,” Scaloni told repsorters on Tuesday. “The idea is for someone to eventually take it on, given how special it is to wear. We just haven’t decided who yet.”

Como youngster Nico Paz is expected to inherit the number at some point, while Julián Álvarez, Thiago Almada and Franco Mastantuono have also been mentioned as possibilities. The No.10 shirt has a storied past for Argentina, previously worn by Mario Kempes and Diego Maradona during the country’s World Cup victories in 1978 and 1986.

Argentina have confirmed Cristian Romero as their future captain, a decision made as the squad prepares for the post-Messi transition. There are, however, lingering questions within the setup about how the team will adapt its style of play in Messi’s absence.

Scaloni’s squad will face Bolivia on Wednesday and Burkina Faso on Saturday, and Messi will not join the group until after those two fixtures. The No.10 has not been reassigned for those matches.

On October 6, Messi would make his final appearance for his country against Benin at the Estadio Monumental, a match that would mark his 208th senior cap.