The Athletic published an article discussing Argentina's national team after losing Messi, stating that FIFA does not allow national teams to retire jersey numbers, and Nico Paz is the most likely candidate to inherit Messi's No. 10 jersey.

On July 16, after Argentina defeated England 2-1 in Atlanta in the World Cup semifinal, a group of Argentine journalists entered the press room at Mercedes-Benz Stadium shortly after the match.

These were seasoned reporters with gray hair who had covered Argentina's national team through everything. Yet they had never witnessed anything like this. "I can't believe what these kids just did," one of them said.

His colleagues were nearly in tears after witnessing another thrilling victory led by Messi. The 39-year-old Messi guided his team to victory over their fierce rivals in one of the tournament's most intense matches. In the first half, Messi repeatedly dribbled past defenders, setting the tone for the entire team. In the second half, as England gradually retreated, Messi constantly demanded the ball, orchestrating a historic comeback. Argentines often call him "El enano" (the dwarf), but at this moment, Messi had surpassed even the highest expectations.

Before sitting down, the two embraced tightly, completely overwhelmed by emotion that felt like a moment approaching championship glory. They shouted together: "Come on, Argentina!" But everyone knew that the 2026 World Cup would likely be Messi's last major tournament. We now know that Messi was carrying heavy psychological burdens at that time—his father Jorge was gravely ill. Jorge passed away on August 8 at the age of 68. When Messi shed tears, all of Argentina mourned with him. Over the past four years, an inseparable bond had formed between the player and his country. Messi finally became the national hero he had always dreamed of being.

On August 31, Messi announced his retirement from Argentina's national team, ending his 21-year international career. This journey left behind more than 200 appearances, 125 goals, and 68 assists.

Argentina must now consider how to move forward without Messi. Who will inherit Messi's No. 10 jersey? Will head coach Scaloni also depart? Is this truly the end of an era, or just a bitter reality to face after a legend's departure?

Despite strong admiration from young Argentine fans for Messi, he still hasn't entirely eclipsed the legendary status symbolized by Maradona. However, from winning the World Cup in 2022 to this summer's tournament campaign, as the irreplaceable core and captain, Messi had become almost a deity, symbolizing Argentina's return to the ranks of world football powers.

The fairy-tale victory at Lusail Stadium in 2022 also prompted the Argentine Football Association (AFA) to launch a multi-million-dollar global expansion plan. With Messi as the central figure, the AFA built a high-impact international sports brand, securing sponsorships from top companies like American Express and McDonald's, and establishing numerous commercial partnerships in the Middle East and China. World Cup winner Messi was the most powerful money-generating asset.

Although the AFA has been involved in corruption investigations, its commercial growth directly depends on Messi's enormous influence in his late career. Therefore, the national team's generational transition plan has been repeatedly delayed. Before 2022, Messi's relationship with the national team was turbulent, sometimes even reaching a breaking point. Even if Argentina had lost to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final and the team performed poorly, Messi would still have departed in glory. This made Argentina's rebuilding path in the post-Messi era even more difficult.

After Messi announced his retirement from the national team, many calls arose in Argentina for the AFA to permanently retire the No. 10 jersey that Messi had worn since 2009—the year Maradona personally appointed Messi as his successor. However, FIFA regulations do not allow national teams to retire jersey numbers.

So someone, or rather, several players will likely take turns wearing the No. 10 jersey. After Maradona's retirement, Aimar, Ortega, and Riquelme all took on this significant role. Messi's 20-year reign with No. 10 has transformed jersey succession into a lengthy rotation of candidates.

Nico Paz, the 22-year-old Como midfielder, is the most frequently mentioned candidate. This rising star possesses considerable creativity but had limited playing time for Argentina's national team this summer. With his beautiful left-footed technique, his future looks promising.

But no one can truly replace Messi. Frankly, Paz's style is closer to Fernando Redondo (which is extremely high praise) than a Messi replica. In Argentina's post-Messi era, discussing who wears No. 10 is merely superficial; the real challenge ahead is a daunting task. Stepping out of the shadow of this legendary era will not be easy at all.

Back in 2022, a great roar of human voices and hundreds of journalists collectively shouted "¡Messi!" This scene occurred in the mixed zone at Lusail Stadium as Messi entered. His goal against Mexico, which gave Argentina an advantage, became an iconic moment in Argentina's 2022 World Cup campaign.

Camera shutters clicked repeatedly, and media from various countries crowded to get Messi's attention. When Messi gave interviews to broadcast media, print journalists jostled each other, waiting behind FIFA media barriers.

Messi, who had just led his team to a 2-0 victory over Mexico, had completely reversed the team's fortunes after an unexpected loss to Saudi Arabia in the tournament's opening match, and he was the key to that turnaround. His goal in the 64th minute pierced Mexico's stubborn defense, laying the foundation for Argentina's path to the championship.

Every time Messi appeared in the mixed zone, the atmosphere was always lively and noisy. There, a single word or gentle smile from Messi could instantly become a global headline. Currently, no one else in Argentina's squad has that kind of influence.

Atlético Madrid defender Cristian Romero was recently proposed by Argentine media as a candidate for the next national team captain, but this news didn't stir many people. Romero and other players with leadership potential must take on the difficult task of leading the team through generational transition, supporting lesser-known young players and inexperienced newcomers to major tournaments.

Messi's leadership also underwent a transformation: from a somewhat shy superstar who let his on-field actions speak for themselves and sometimes seemed reluctant to bear great responsibility, he evolved into a beloved captain with absolute authority. He became stubborn, highly competitive, and easily influenced by external factors. This side of Messi will forever be etched in the story of his career's final chapter.

Argentina, a football nation that has never been satisfied with mediocrity, must accept: "the best player in the world" will no longer appear in their starting lineup. If Argentina stubbornly searches for a Messi replacement, as they once searched for a successor to Maradona, it will only be in vain. Messi's emergence after Maradona actually proved that Argentina's fertile football soil could continue to produce talent.

Searching for a successor with such expectations is nothing but blind delusion. Who could continue such a legend? And who would be willing to bear this heavy burden?

Besides Messi, the national team careers of Martínez, Otamendi, Paredes, Lo Celso, De Paul, Tagliafico, and even star striker Lautaro Martínez will soon end. On Monday, Tagliafico was interviewed by reporters in Buenos Aires and asked about the current state of the national team. He answered, "We are at the end of an era."

On October 7, Argentina will face West African nation Benin at Monumental Stadium, the last time Messi will wear an Argentina jersey. The end of a 21-year international career, this hastily arranged farewell match against a relatively weak opponent also reflects the chaotic situation in Argentine football after Messi's departure.

Thus, Messi's retirement from the national team could become the longest chapter in Argentine football history.

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.

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