Lionel Messi’s international career may be approaching its final chapter, but the future of Argentina’s famous No. 10 shirt is already becoming a subject of discussion. The number has been closely identified with Messi for years, making the question of who will wear it after his departure particularly significant for the national side.
The shirt has become more than just a squad number during Messi’s era. It has been associated with the forward’s leadership, creativity and decisive contributions for Argentina. With the team eventually moving into a new phase without him, attention has turned to the players who could potentially take on the number.
Former Argentina footballer and politician Carlos Mac Allister believes the decision should not be rushed. Rather than immediately handing the shirt to another player, he has suggested allowing several months for the national team to assess its options before selecting a permanent successor.
Speaking to ESPN, Mac Allister said: “I wouldn’t give the 10 to anyone.” He did, however, put forward five names who could be considered for the shirt. Under his proposed approach, different players could wear the number for a period before the coaching staff assess their performances and how effectively they fit into the team.
The five players identified are Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, Alexis Mac Allister and Nico Paz.
Fernandez has established himself as an important midfielder for Argentina, while Alvarez has become a versatile attacking option. Martinez has also remained a significant figure in the national team’s forward line and has been involved in Argentina’s recent period of success.
Alexis Mac Allister occupies an influential role in midfield, contributing to Argentina’s work in possession as well as its attacking play. Nico Paz, meanwhile, represents a younger generation of Argentine footballers and is being discussed as part of the national side’s longer-term future.
The question of the No. 10 shirt is separate from the succession of the captaincy. Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has said that Cristian Romero will take over as captain after Messi. Romero was already third in the leadership order behind Messi and Nicolas Otamendi.
As a result, Argentina have a clearer picture of who could lead the team once Messi is no longer captain, while the identity of the next No. 10 remains unsettled.
The decision carries particular weight because Messi’s name has become almost inseparable from the shirt during his long international career. Any player eventually chosen to wear it will therefore inherit a number associated with one of the defining figures in Argentina’s modern football history.
For now, Mac Allister’s proposal favours patience rather than an immediate appointment. Giving several players an opportunity to wear the shirt before making a permanent decision would allow Argentina to assess their performances as the national team begins to build its next chapter after Messi.
