FIFA blocks Argentina's plan to retire Lionel Messi's No. 10 shirt

FIFA regulations have blocked the Argentine Football Association’s attempt to permanently retire Lionel Messi’s iconic No. 10 shirt. Following Messi’s announcement on August 31 that he would retire from international football, officials sought to honor his career by removing the number from circulation.

However, FIFA rules for major international tournaments require participating teams to assign squad numbers from 1 to 26. This mandate prevents any nation from leaving a specific number unused during official competitions. Argentina has faced this obstacle previously, such as when they were unable to retire Diego Maradona’s No. 10 before the 2002 World Cup.

While the number cannot be retired for official tournaments, Argentina may keep it unused during friendly matches as a tribute. Head coach Lionel Scaloni stated that the number will not be assigned to anyone until after Messi’s farewell match against Benin, scheduled for October 6 at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. Reports suggest that 22-year-old Nico Paz is a leading candidate to inherit the shirt if Scaloni extends his contract.