Argentina’s iconic No. 10 will remain Lionel Messi’s for a few more days. Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that nobody will wear the shirt before the Argentine legend’s final appearance for the Albiceleste, scheduled for October 6, 2026, against Benin. Only after that match will the national team decide who inherits it.
Argentina are slowly preparing to turn one of the biggest pages in their history. After announcing his international retirement following the 2026 World Cup, the 39-year-old Messi still has one final match to play for his country. Until his farewell, the No. 10 shirt will remain vacant.
Messi’s final match set for October 6
Scaloni confirmed the decision ahead of Argentina’s upcoming matches: “Until Leo’s match, we will not give the No. 10 to anyone. After the match, we will see who wears it.” Messi is set to make his farewell appearance on Monday, October 6, against Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. Before then, Argentina face Bolivia on September 30 and Burkina Faso on October 3, with Messi not expected to feature in either game.
Messi should therefore wear the legendary No. 10 one final time against Benin during a night dedicated to his farewell. The big question will then be who inherits the shirt. Scaloni has yet to make a decision and wants the number to be entrusted to a player capable of wearing it for the long term, given its immense significance in Argentine football history. The succession will only truly begin after October 6.
