FIFA Denies Argentina's Request to Retire Messi's No. 10 Shirt
FIFA regulations have prevented the Argentine Football Association (AFA) from permanently retiring Lionel Messi's iconic No. 10 shirt after Messi announced his international retirement on August 31. He is set to make his farewell appearance on October 6 against Benin at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
Messi, who has made 207 international appearances and scored 125 goals for Argentina, wore the No. 10 shirt throughout his international career. FIFA rules require teams in international tournaments to use squad numbers from 1 to 26, which blocks Argentina's retirement plan.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni stated that the shirt will not be assigned until after Messi's farewell match. ESPN Argentina reporter Federico Bueno indicated that if Scaloni extends his contract, Nico Paz, who previously played for Real Madrid and now plays for Como, is the leading candidate to inherit the No. 10 shirt.
Plus234Feed summary based on reporting from Naijanews. Read the original report below.
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