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Argentina Football Association plans to retire the number 10 jersey to honour Lionel Messi when the eight-time Ballon D'or retires from international football. Messi was Argentina's talisman during the nation’s third World Cup title in 2022. La Albiceleste edged France in a penalty shootout where Messi scored twice and converted his attempt in the shootout.
Often being called the greatest ever, the 35-year-old has scored 106 goals in his 180 caps for Argentina and also was pivotal in La Albiceleste's Copa América triumph in 2021. Coming back to the AFA, President Claudio Tapia spoke about how no player will be allowed to wear the number 10 after Messi's retirement.
Claudio Tapia said, “When Messi retires from the national team, we will not allow anyone else to wear the number 10 after him. This number 10 will be retired for life in his honour. It’s the least we can do for him.” The AFA previously tried to retire the No. 10 as a tribute to Maradona, but FIFA denied the request, as per Reuters.
Being realistic is difficult: Lionel Messi on retirement
Lionel Messi, recently, spoke about when he plans to retire from football and threw light on the possibility of playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. "I am not thinking about the World Cup and I am not saying 100 percent that I will not be there because anything can happen," he said in an interview earlier this month. "Given my age, the most normal thing is that I will not be there. Then we will see to what extent. Maybe we do well in the Copa America and we continue. Maybe not. Being realistic is difficult."
