Argentina to leave No.10 shirt vacant until Lionel Messi's farewell match
Argentina will keep Lionel Messi's No.10 shirt vacant for upcoming friendlies to honor his international career before his final appearance against Benin in October 2026.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Bryan Berlin
Argentina is preparing for a new era as the national team confirms it will leave Lionel Messi’s iconic No. 10 shirt vacant during the upcoming international windows. This tribute will remain in place as the legend gears up for his final bow with the Albiceleste.
Manager Lionel Scaloni confirmed the decision, stating that nobody will wear the number until Messi’s final match. Consequently, the squad lists for the upcoming friendly fixtures against Bolivia and Burkina Faso will skip the number ten entirely.
This gesture follows Messi’s announcement in August 2026 that he would step away from international duty, marking the end of a historic career that saw him lead his country to global dominance. The AFA has decided to keep the jersey vacant to honor the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner’s unparalleled impact on the sport.
The grand finale for Messi is set for October 6, 2026, when Argentina faces Benin at the Estadio Monumental. The match will mark his 208th and final cap for the national team. As the focus shifts toward the 2030 World Cup cycle, Scaloni has also confirmed that Cristian Romero will take over the captaincy, signaling a formal transition of leadership within the squad.