According to Goal.com, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) wants to permanently retire the number 10 shirt following Lionel Messi's retirement from international football, but FIFA regulations do not permit it.

Messi announced his retirement from international football on August 31, ending more than 20 years with the Argentina national team. The Inter Miami forward will bid farewell to Argentine fans in a friendly against Benin at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on October 6.

Argentina hopes to permanently retire the number 10 shirt as a symbol of Messi's legacy. Messi played 207 matches for Argentina, scoring 125 goals. The superstar led Argentina to three World Cup finals, though the team lost to Spain 1-0 in the most recent one.

However, FIFA regulations present a significant obstacle for Argentina. In international competitions, shirt numbers 1 through 26 must be assigned to players, so numbers within this range cannot be permanently retired.

Liberia faced a similar situation previously. The country retired number 14 to honor George Weah, but during World Cup 2026 qualifying, FIFA rules required the number to be reassigned to Nicolas Andrews.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has not yet announced who will inherit Messi's number 10. The 48-year-old coach said: "We don't need to assign this number in the next few games, so before Leo's farewell match, we won't give it to anyone. We just haven't decided yet."

Federico Bueno, ESPN Argentina's reporter, revealed that leading candidates are being considered behind the scenes. He said: "If Lionel Scaloni continues as Argentina's coach, Nico Paz will become the new number 10. This decision has already been made internally."

The 22-year-old Paz is considered one of the most promising attacking midfielders in the world. The former Real Madrid midfielder joined Como permanently last summer for €60 million, with an €80 million buyback clause in the contract. To date, he has made 11 appearances for Argentina, scoring 1 goal.

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