FIFA rules prevents Argentina’s retirement of Lionel Messi’s iconic No. 10
Argentina will not be able to permanently retire Lionel Messi’s No. 10 shirt for official international tournaments because of FIFA’s squad-number regulations.
Argentina’s hopes of permanently retiring Lionel Messi’s iconic No. 10 shirt have run into FIFA regulations governing squad numbers at major international tournaments.
The rule requires World Cup squads to use the prescribed sequence of numbers, meaning Argentina cannot simply remove No. 10 from its tournament list.
FIFA’s official 2026 squad-number information confirms Argentina used a full set of numbers for its 26-player World Cup squad.
Lionel Messi’s final Argentina appearance
The development comes as Messi prepares to bring his international career to a close.
The 39-year-old is scheduled to make his farewell appearance for Argentina against Benin at Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental on October 6, following his decision to retire from international football.
No. 10 successor remains undecided
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has said the famous shirt will not immediately be handed to another player, allowing Messi to have his final appearance wearing the number.
Scaloni has yet to announce the long-term successor, although reports have identified Nico Paz as one of the leading candidates.
The shirt is therefore expected to return to Argentina’s squad for future major tournaments, despite its unique association with Messi.
