There appears to be a favourite: who will succeed Lionel Messi for Argentina?
Following his retirement, the question most recently arose as to who would take over the captaincy and Lionel Messi’s No. 10 shirt for the Argentina national team. While the captaincy issue has since been settled, a favourite to inherit the squad number is also beginning to emerge.
Argentina will play their first match of the post-Messi era next Wednesday, when the 2022 world champions face Bolivia in a friendly. Another attacking player will not take the captain's armband.
Several outlets had already reported in recent weeks that Cristian Romero was the leading candidate after the departure of the eight-time world player of the year from Inter Milan and the retirement of veteran Nicolas Otamendi (38, River Plate). The centre-back, who moved from Tottenham Hotspur to Atletico Madrid after the World Cup, had already served as third captain at the World Cup. Coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed on Friday at a press conference that he had chosen "Cuti". Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez had been mentioned as an outside option. There was also speculation over a promotion for Lautaro Martinez. The striker wears the armband for his club Inter Milan, after all.
Who takes over Messi's squad number also remains undecided. However, a clear trend is emerging. As ESPN reported a few weeks ago and The Athletic now also claim to have learned, Nico Paz of Como 1907 will be given the honour. Although the midfielder has only been used sporadically for the Albiceleste in the more recent past and had to make do with two appearances at the World Cup, the 22-year-old is widely tipped for a big future.
Since joining from Real Madrid in the summer of 2024, Paz has developed brilliantly on Lake Como and is coming off an outstanding Serie A season with 13 goals and 7 assists. This campaign, he already has four goal involvements in six matches, including two assists in the Champions League. For Argentina, he has one goal and one assist in 11 appearances.
Why do Argentina have to reassign Lionel Messi's No. 10?
Argentina cannot grant the wishes of some fans and retire the No. 10. FIFA regulations do not allow a number between 1 and 23 or 26 to be left vacant. There had therefore recently also been talk of a rotation model with different wearers. Other candidates under consideration are Alexis Mac Allister (27), who also wears the No. 10 at Liverpool, and Enzo Fernandez (25, Manchester City).
Messi's international career is not completely over, by the way. On 6 October, the folk hero will get his official farewell match in Buenos Aires when Argentina face Benin in a friendly. In the Argentine capital, La Pulga is to receive "the farewell he truly deserves, here in Argentina", association president Claudio Tapia said in a video on X.
Brazil: Who will get Neymar's No. 10?
Brazil, meanwhile, had also been asking until recently who would wear the No. 10 shirt in future and succeed Neymar, who retired after the World Cup.
That decision has already been made: Raphinha of Barcelona will follow in the footsteps of Pele, Zico, Ronaldinho and Kaka.
