Why Can't Messi's "Number 10" Be Retired Forever? Two Ways to Leave a Legend

When a soccer player leaves the national team, what's left behind is not just scoring records or trophies. There is a single number that helps remember that player.

For the Argentine national team, Lionel Messi's "10" is such a number. For those who have placed their hopes on that back, celebrated victories, and sometimes shared in disappointment, seeing another player wear the same number may not be easily accepted.

But would retiring the number permanently be the greatest form of respect? Is there not value in allowing the next generation to carry the same number and build new memories?

The debate over Messi's number 10 is not only a matter of tournament regulations but also a question of how sports preserve legends.

The reality of retiring a number becomes an issue with national team retirement

On August 31, 2026, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) issued an official statement expressing gratitude to Messi. It praised his achievements with the national team and noted that the number 10 will continue to be associated with his name.

AFA also announced a fan event to bid farewell to Messi, coinciding with the Argentina vs. Benin match on October 6. As the day to say goodbye to the familiar back approaches, attention is also drawn to the handling of the number 10.

An article from Complete Sports dated October 1 reported that FIFA's tournament regulations pose a barrier to the permanent retirement of the number, a hope expressed by AFA President Claudio Tapia.

It is important to note that the "intention to retire the number permanently" and "official measures recognized by the tournament" are not the same. The registration method of the national team cannot be changed solely based on the magnitude of respect.

Why can't the number 10 be left out?

According to FIFA's explanation regarding the 2026 World Cup, the numbers assigned to each team player range from 1 to 26, with number 1 designated for goalkeepers.

If all 26 players are given different numbers within this range, leaving the number 10 vacant and using number 27 instead is not possible. This is why the idea of retiring a number for a club's commemorative event cannot be directly applied to World Cup player registration.

However, explaining this as "FIFA uniformly prohibits the permanent retirement of numbers in all matches worldwide" would be an overstatement. It is essential to confirm the numbers allowed and the registration conditions for each tournament.

The original article also introduces the possibility of not using the number 10 in friendly matches as a way to show respect for Messi. It is necessary to separate the temporary vacancy of a number from the decision to never use it again, including in future major tournaments.

Moreover, it is advisable not to apply the regulations of the 2026 tournament directly to future Copa América or World Cups. For each tournament, it is necessary to confirm the rules set by the organizers.

The debate also occurred during Maradona's time

The number 10 of Argentina has a story that predates Messi. It is Diego Maradona.

According to the British soccer magazine FourFourTwo, Argentina attempted to register without the number 10 in honor of Maradona before the 2002 World Cup. However, FIFA did not approve, and Ariel Ortega wore the number 10 in the same tournament.

This has a familiar connection for Japanese readers. The stage was the Japan-Korea co-hosted World Cup.

If the number 10 had been permanently retired at that time, the history Messi later built with the same number might have been associated with a different number. Of course, a player's talent does not change with a different number. Nevertheless, the significance of multiple generations' memories overlapping on a single number is substantial.

A jersey number can serve as a monument preserving the greatness of one individual or as a shared asset connecting the past and future. Argentina's number 10 embodies both of these characteristics.

Voices on social media: "Should be passed on" vs. "Too heavy"

Looking at reactions on social media, the issue does not boil down to simple pros and cons.

As of October 2, posts supporting the succession of the number 10 were observed in the soccer community on Reddit. The summarized sentiment is that since Messi appeared after Maradona, the number should be left for future players.

On the other hand, even among those who agree with the succession, there are cautious opinions about passing it on immediately to young players. There are voices calling for it to be entrusted first to players with national team experience to avoid excessive pressure on young players.

Additionally, there were posts imagining the psychological burden of wearing the number carried by Maradona and Messi, and opinions wishing to leave it vacant for a while.

What emerges here is the fans' sense that what is needed for the next number 10 is not just skill. Simply passing on the number might impose the expectation of being "the next Messi." This concern overlaps with the discussion of choosing a successor.

It should be noted that these are summaries of observed posts and not a public opinion survey. It cannot be confirmed that all posters are Argentine, nor does it represent the majority opinion of all fans.

There is also a movement calling for the permanent retirement of the number

In contrast to opinions wishing for succession, an independent supporter movement called "The Last Ten" is calling for signatures to request FIFA to permanently retire the number 10 in honor of Messi.

The site clearly states that this activity is not approved by Messi himself, AFA, or FIFA. Therefore, it cannot be introduced as his wish or the association's official application. As far as can be confirmed, the scale of support cannot be evaluated.

Nevertheless, it can be positioned as an activity that concretizes the desire to keep the number special.

Both those who seek to retire the number permanently and those who wish to pass it on to the next generation recognize Messi's value. The difference lies in how to express that respect.

A perspective from Japan: Not demanding too much from "successors"

For Japanese fans, the feeling of associating a specific player with a jersey number is likely easy to understand. When a beloved number is worn by another player, both sadness and expectation can arise simultaneously.

What is instructive in this debate is the perspective of separating the succession of the number from comparisons with the player.

The new number 10 does not need to achieve the same dribbling, scoring ability, or number of titles as Messi. If we do not see what that player brings to the team, the number, which should be an honor, may become an unattainable challenge.

Those entrusting the number also have a role. If the association and coaches only use words to search for the "new Messi," expectations will grow. It is important to convey that what is inherited is responsibility and history, not the predecessor's life itself.

The same applies to the media and fans. Even if the new number 10 does not perform well in one match, there is no need to compare them to past heroes each time. Valuing history and evaluating current players as themselves can coexist.

There is more than one way to show respect

The means to preserve Messi's achievements are not limited to retiring the number permanently.

At the farewell event announced by AFA, there will be screenings on large screens, music, and opportunities to take commemorative photos with major trophies. Gathering supporters and sharing memories is also a way to preserve the history of a single player.

Beyond that, there is the idea of creating opportunities for the next generation to experience his footsteps through commemorative exhibitions and development activities. This is not a decision made this time but a possible option for showing respect.

Leaving the number 10 vacant permanently has the power to demonstrate its irreplaceability. On the other hand, having someone wear it again has the power to advance the story.

Even if a new number 10 appears after Messi, his goals and joyous memories will not disappear. Remembering the former back while watching the new one is also a way sports keep legends alive.

Source URL

1. Complete Sports: Regarding the concept of retiring numbers and tournament regulations, and responses outside major tournaments.
   https://www.completesports.com/argentina-blocked-from-retiring-messis-no-10-shirt-due-to-fifa-rules/

2. AFA "Gracias, Capitán": Official statement regarding national team retirement. Confirmation of Messi's achievements and reference to the number 10.afa.com.ar
   https://www.afa.com.ar/es/posts/gracias-capitan

3. AFA: Official announcement of the farewell event on October 6. Confirmation of the screening of the Benin match, music, and commemorative photos with trophies.afa.com.ar
   https://www.afa.com.ar/es/posts/llega-el-fan-fest-gracias-leo-una-experiencia-unica-para-despedir-a-messi-junto-a-la-seleccion

4. FIFA: Official explanation of uniforms and numbers for the 2026 World Cup. The basis for the use of numbers 1-26.rusecure.fifa.com
   https://rusecure.fifa.com/organisation/news/match-colour-designations-world-cup-2026-group-stage

5. FourFourTwo: Precedent of Maradona's number retirement concept. Application before the 2002 tournament and the circumstances of Ortega wearing the number 10.FourFourTwo
   https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/player/argentina-have-already-tried-to-retire-the-no-10-shirt-will-they-do-it-again-for-lionel-messi

6. Reddit・r/SoccerCentral: Source of SNS reactions. Summary of posts regarding support for succession, pressure on young players, and temporary vacancy.reddit.com
   https://www.reddit.com/r/SoccerCentral/comments/1wu8w5n/lionel_messis_number_10_shirt_for_argentina_will/

7. The Last Ten: Independent supporter petition activity seeking permanent retirement. Confirmation that it is not approved by Messi, AFA, or FIFA.The Last Ten
   https://www.thelastten.org/