The Argentine Football Association (AFA) cannot permanently retire Lionel Messi’s iconic No. 10 shirt because of FIFA regulations governing squad numbers in international competitions.

Messi announced his decision to end his international career on August 31, bringing an expected end to a remarkable Argentina career in which he has made 207 appearances and scored 125 goals for the national team.

The Inter Miami forward is expected to make a farewell appearance for Argentina on October 6, when the world champions face Benin in an international friendly at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

The AFA reportedly wanted to retire the No. 10 shirt in honour of Messi, who has worn the number for much of his international career.

However, FIFA regulations require teams participating in international final tournaments to use squad numbers from 1 to 26, meaning Argentina cannot permanently remove the No. 10 from its squad-number allocation.

A similar situation occurred with Liberia, which retired the No. 14 shirt in honour of former striker and president George Weah. The country was subsequently required to use the number during its 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign because of FIFA regulations.

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Who Will Wear Messi’s No. 10?

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has said the No. 10 will not immediately be handed to another player.

“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 said, according to ESPN.

ESPN Argentina reporter Federico Bueno reported that Nico Paz is currently the leading candidate to inherit the iconic shirt if Scaloni continues 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 said.

For now, Argentina will keep the shirt unused until Messi’s farewell appearance, after which a decision is expected on who will take over one of the most recognisable numbers in international football.