Argentina head into their first international break since Lionel Messi’s farewell, with Lionel Scaloni set to test his squad against Uruguay and Costa Rica. As the coach reshuffles his team following the captain’s departure, fans are waiting to see who will inherit the shirt Messi wore for nearly two decades.
Messi called time on his international career in October at the Monumental, where Argentina beat Benin 3–0 in a friendly. He scored once and set up both other goals on a night when he said goodbye in the same No. 10 shirt he wore to win the 2022 World Cup.
According to TyC Sports, Scaloni has decided to leave the No. 10 shirt unassigned for both November friendlies. Argentina are under no obligation to use every number from 1 to 11 in friendlies, giving the coach more time to make his choice.
Argentina face Uruguay at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires on 13 November before taking on Costa Rica at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Córdoba on 17 November. A decision on who takes the shirt is expected when World Cup qualifying resumes in 2027.
Como midfielder Nico Paz leads the list of contenders. The left-footed playmaker scored in each of the three friendlies against Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin, and also provided an assist against Bolivia.
Argentina teammate Valentín Barco has backed Paz for the shirt. “I like everything about the way Nico plays. I hope he gets the No. 10.”
Other candidates include Alexis Mac Allister, who wears No. 10 for Liverpool, Enzo Fernández and Franco Mastantuono. The latter has already worn Messi’s number in a competitive match against Ecuador in Guayaquil.
Scaloni said in September that, given what the number means to Argentina, he would prefer one player to wear it regularly, even though he can change who wears it from game to game. The November break gives him two more matches to assess the contenders before making his decision.
