Why can't Argentina retire Messi's jersey?

Argentina's plan to retire the number 10 shirt for Lionel Messi cannot apply in official FIFA competitions because squad numbers must run from 1 to 26 without gaps.

AFA's long-running idea

AFA president Claudio Tapia said in 2024 that the shirt would be archived once Messi's international career ended. The idea mirrors earlier calls to take the number out of circulation, as happened with Diego Maradona.

FIFA's rules and past precedent

FIFA requires uninterrupted numbering in tournaments such as the World Cup, which means Argentina cannot leave 10 unused in an official squad. The same issue came up on 25 September 2001, when the AFA tried to set the shirt aside for the 2002 World Cup in tribute to Maradona. FIFA rejected that plan and Ariel Ortega wore the number instead.

The restriction does not apply to friendlies, so Argentina could leave 10 unused in upcoming warm-up matches as a gesture for Messi.