FIFA Regulations Halt Argentina's Retirement of Messi's No. 10
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) planned to retire Lionel Messi's iconic No. 10 shirt following his announcement on August 31 that he would retire from international football after over two decades. Messi, who has made 207 appearances and scored 125 goals for Argentina, is set to play his farewell match on October 6 against Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
However, FIFA regulations stipulate that teams in international tournaments must use squad numbers from 1 to 26, preventing Argentina from permanently retiring the No. 10 shirt. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has not yet decided who will inherit the shirt, stating that it will not be assigned until after Messi's farewell match.
ESPN Argentina reporter Federico Bueno indicated that Nico Paz, a 22-year-old attacking midfielder currently with Italian club Como, is the leading candidate to take over the No. 10 shirt if Scaloni extends his contract.
Plus234Feed summary based on reporting from Leadership Newspaper. Read the original report below.
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