Lionel Messi’s Iconic Number 10 Jersey to be Retired: Argentina Pays Tribute to the World Champion Captain, Following in the Footsteps of Football Legend Maradona
Lionel Messi’s Jersey Number 10 Retired by Argentina National Football Team
After Lionel Messi’s retirement, Argentina’s national football team has decided to retire his iconic number 10 jersey as a mark of honor. The decision was made by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) as a tribute to Messi’s exceptional contribution to the sport.
Messi, who captained the Argentine team, led them to victory in the Football World Cup in Qatar. Argentina claimed the championship after a 36-year gap, defeating France in a penalty shootout in the final.
Spanish newspaper Marca reported that Claudio Tapia, the president of the Argentine Football Association, stated that when Messi retires from international football, no other player will be allowed to wear the number 10 jersey as a mark of respect. Messi’s No. 10 jersey will be retired in acknowledgment of his outstanding career and achievements in the sport.
This move by the AFA reflects Messi’s status as one of the greatest football players of all time and acknowledges the impact he has had on Argentine football. Messi, throughout his illustrious career, has been associated with the number 10 jersey, and the decision to retire it symbolizes the end of an era in Argentine football.
Messi to Follow Maradona in Argentina’s Jersey Retirement Tradition
Before Messi, Diego Maradona also wore the number 10 jersey for Argentina. Argentina had attempted to retire the jersey in Maradona’s honor in 2002, but due to FIFA regulations, it was not possible.
According to FIFA rules, teams are required to use numbers 1 through 23. In such cases, it might become mandatory for any future player to avoid wearing the number 10 jersey.
Messi’s Previous Retirements and Comebacks Messi retired from international football in 2016, but he returned shortly afterward. In reality, Messi retired from international duty twice, once after losing the 2014 World Cup final to Germany and again after losing the Copa America final to Chile. However, he made a comeback both times, delivering exceptional performances.
Messi has scored 106 goals in 180 matches for Argentina. He led Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup. Whether Messi will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is uncertain, but before that, he is expected to represent Argentina in the 2024 Copa America.
Auction of Messi’s Jerseys Recently, Messi’s jerseys worn during the 2022 World Cup were auctioned for approximately $7.8 million. These jerseys became historic as they were worn during Messi’s last matches in the tournament.
Messi – The Sole Scorer in All World Cup Matches Messi stands as the only footballer to score in every match of a single World Cup season. Even in the final against France, he found the back of the net. His jerseys hold immense value in the footballing world, evident from the substantial amounts they fetched in recent auctions.
This information provides context to the retirement of Messi’s number 10 jersey, continuing a tradition that began with another football legend, Diego Maradona.
