Messi's No.10 will remain unassigned for now
Coach Lionel Scaloni has decided the shirt Messi wore for almost two decades will stay without a permanent owner for the upcoming friendlies.
05.11.2026 — Argentina will not hand Lionel Messi's iconic No.10 shirt to another Argentine player for the upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Costa Rica, the national team will start the matches with the number unassigned.
Coach Lionel Scaloni has opted to leave the shirt without a permanent owner for now, a decision taken because friendly fixtures do not require players to wear numbers 1–11.
Plan to name a new No.10 in 2027
The federation expects to award the No.10 to a new long-term holder only when Argentina returns to competitive matches in 2027, at the start of the qualifying campaign.
One of the main candidates is Nico Paz, who has been in strong form with Como in Italy. Other names being mentioned as potential successors include Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández and Franco Mastantuono.
The move leaves open the question of who will eventually inherit the shirt Messi wore for nearly two decades, but for these friendlies the number will remain vacant while the coaching staff evaluates options during the season.
Photo: FIFA @FIFAcom (X)
