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Who will continue LM10 legacy?

Published : Tuesday, 1 September, 2026 at 6:27 PM

Observer Online Report

Collected Photo

Lionel Messi may have called time on his Argentina career, but his iconic No. 10 jersey cannot simply follow him into retirement.

The shirt that belonged to Messi for the better part of two decades remains vacant following his decision to end his international career at 39.

Argentina is under no obligation to hand it immediately to a permanent successor. Indeed, several players wore No. 10 when Messi missed international matches during his career.

FIFA required all numbers from 1 to 26 to be allocated at the 2026 World Cup, meaning Argentina could not simply retire No. 10 under those rules. Unless those rules change, the famous shirt will eventually need a new owner at tournaments.

Messi did not create Argentina’s mythology around No. 10; he inherited it. Before him came Diego Maradona, whose connection to the number was strong enough to survive Argentina’s unusual experiments with alphabetical squad numbering.

For the 1986 World Cup, Argentina largely assigned numbers alphabetically, but FIFA records three exceptions: Daniel Passarella was given No. 6, Jorge Valdano No. 11, and Maradona his coveted No. 10.

Four decades later, the number is inseparable from two of the greatest footballers Argentina has produced. Messi first wore the senior Argentina No. 10 against Venezuela in March 2009. From then on, it became as closely associated with him as it had once been with Maradona.

Argentina’s next decision is not simply about filling a vacant number, nor finding "the next Messi," as there isn't one. The question is what Argentina wants the shirt to represent now.

If Argentina wants No. 10 to retain its traditional association with the ‘enganche,’ the creative player between midfield and attack, Nico Paz presents perhaps the most intriguing case. The 21-year-old Como midfielder is a left-footed creator who has emerged as one of the outstanding talents of Argentina's next generation.

Coach Lionel Scaloni previously said the youngster had an "enormous future" and could play in several positions.

During Argentina's opening match of the 2026 World Cup, Paz, wearing No. 18, came off the bench against Algeria to replace Messi. If Argentina wants No. 10 to sit on the shoulders of a young creative player central to the next cycle, Paz has a strong argument.

Thiago Almada offers another interpretation. He has considerably more experience in Scaloni’s setup and was part of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad before returning for the 2026 tournament, where he wore No. 16. Almada is technically gifted, comfortable playing behind the forwards, and understands the demands of Scaloni’s system.

Another possibility is giving the No. 10 shirt to the player expected to become the side’s main attacking figure, bringing Julián Álvarez into the conversation. Álvarez wore No. 9 at the 2026 World Cup and is firmly established as a centre-forward.

However, at 26, he is entering his prime and is among the leading figures expected to carry Argentina beyond Messi.

Scaloni has dealt with temporary owners before and is not required to immediately crown a permanent heir. In September 2024, with Messi injured, Scaloni noted that Ángel Correa had previously used the number in Messi's absence. Paulo Dybala also wore it in subsequent matches.

However, Messi has now stepped away, leaving behind record 207 appearances, 125 goals, two Copa América titles, and the 2022 World Cup trophy. The team must now develop without organizing itself around him. Argentina will never have another Messi, but another player will pull on that famous blue-and-white No. 10.

-NS/SA