Lionel Scaloni reveals fate of Argentina's No.10 shirt after Lionel Messi's retirement
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Messi will play his last international game against Benin.
Lionel Scaloni has declared that Argentina’s famous number 10 shirt will not be retired when Lionel Messi retires from international football. However, the forward’s successor has yet to be determined.
Following Argentina’s FIFA World Cup 2026 final loss to Spain in July, Lionel Messi announced the end of his spectacular international career.
Lionel Messi will leave Argentina as the only man to have started three World Cup finals, the player with the most appearances in the history of FIFA’s flagship competition (34), and the player with the most combined goal involvements in World Cups (33, 21 goals, 12 assists, since assist records began in 1966).
On October 6, he would make his final appearance for his country, against Benin, at the Estadio Monumental, earning his 208th senior cap.
Before then, Scaloni’s team will face Bolivia on Wednesday and Burkina Faso on Saturday. Lionel Messi will not join the squad until after both games.
Scaloni reveals they are yet to find Messi’s number 10 successor at Argentina
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Argentina have yet to designate the number 10 shirt to any other player. Scaloni insists it is unlikely to be passed out until after Messi’s final match.
“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.”
Nico Paz, Como’s emerging star, is expected to wear the legendary number 10, which was worn by Mario Kempes and Diego Maradona during Argentina’s first two World Cup victories in 1978 and 1986. Julian Alvarez, Thiago Almada, and Franco Mastantuono are other possibilities.
Argentina have confirmed Cristian Romero as its future captain. However, doubts remain over how they can adjust their style of play without Messi.
When is Lionel Messi last game for Argentina?
His last game is against Benin.
Who will wear number 10 for Argentina after Messi leaves?
It has not been confirmed yet.
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