According to Mundo Deportivo, as Messi approaches his final match for the Argentina national team, attention is turning to who will inherit his No. 10 jersey. Nico Paz, currently playing for Como, is reportedly the frontrunner and is considered the top candidate to take over the legendary number.

Messi is set to bid farewell to the Argentina national team in what will be a historic night. However, as Messi's national team career concludes, Argentina will also enter a new era, one without the legendary No. 10.

For coach Scaloni, rebuilding the team after Messi's departure will be a major challenge. While Messi's role is irreplaceable, the team still needs to find a new focal point. Additionally, Scaloni must decide who will inherit the No. 10 jersey, which carries immense historical significance. After all, this number once belonged to Maradona and Messi, and anyone who takes it on will bear tremendous pressure.

Currently, Nico Paz holds an advantage in the race for the No. 10 jersey. The left-footed player, born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, is Scaloni's top choice to lead Argentina's attacking play as the team enters its new era.

Tactically, Scaloni hopes that Nico Paz can operate in the areas Messi previously occupied. He can start from the right wing and drift freely into the centre and other areas, thus contributing to the team's attacking build-up.

In fact, Scaloni has already begun testing an Argentina side without Messi. In the previous two friendly matches against Bolivia and Burkina Faso, Messi did not feature, and Nico Paz started both games. These personnel decisions were deliberate and demonstrate Scaloni's strong confidence in him.

Next, Argentina will face Benin in Messi's farewell match. It remains to be seen whether Scaloni will field Messi and Nico Paz together, allowing the departing legend to play alongside the young player set to succeed him.

Furthermore, Franco Mastantuono is also considered a potential candidate to inherit the No. 10 jersey in the future. However, he is currently trailing Nico Paz in the competition for the shirt.

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