Lionel Messi has officially retired from international football, and a FIFA regulation prevents Argentina from retiring his iconic number 10 shirt, according to reports from Marca and Sports Illustrated.
Messi announced his retirement on August 31, two days after Argentina lost the 2026 FIFA World Cup final to Spain. The announcement came as a shock to the football world, though many had suspected the final would be his last international appearance.
Argentina's Plan to Retire Number 10 Hits FIFA Rule
Argentina Football Association President Claudio Tapia had stated as far back as 2014 that the number 10 would be retired once Messi stepped down, as noted by Marca. However, this plan conflicts with FIFA rules governing squad numbers for national teams.
According to Sports Illustrated, FIFA requires that every number within a squad must be assigned to a player. If a national team carries 26 players, then shirt numbers one through 26 must each belong to someone. There is no provision for leaving a number unissued as a mark of honour.
The same regulation prevented Argentina from retiring the number 10 for Diego Maradona before Messi ever wore it. Had that been allowed, Messi would never have inherited the jersey in the first place.
Club Football Precedent and Potential Heirs
A comparable situation arose in club football, where a La Liga rule stopped Barcelona from permanently retiring the number 10 before it was passed to Lamine Yamal.
The most recent player to pull on the number 10 shirt in Messi's absence was Franco Mastantuono, who did so when Messi missed a game in September 2025.
Looking ahead, Como midfielder Nico Paz has emerged as one of the names being considered to take on the role permanently. Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez is another candidate whose profile makes him a credible contender for one of the most scrutinised shirt numbers in world football.
Lamine Yamal Pays Tribute to Messi
Legit.ng previously reported that Lamine Yamal paid tribute to Lionel Messi after the Argentina captain retired from international football. The Barcelona star shared a picture of himself and Messi after the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in the United States on his Instagram page.
The retirement marks the end of an era for Argentina, but the number 10 will live on, with a new player set to inherit the jersey in future international fixtures.
