Messi's Farewell Looms as Argentina Debates Iconic No. 10 Legacy
SingTao · 2 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
Argentina secured a commanding 4-0 victory over Bolivia in an international friendly on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at home. The match served as a preview of Argentina's post-Messi era, with young star Nico Paz stealing the show by scoring one goal and providing one assist in a 56-minute performance . With Lionel Messi preparing for his farewell international match against Benin on October 7, 2026, the question of who will inherit the iconic No. 10 shirt has become the most compelling storyline in South American football .
Key Points
- Nico Paz, playing as a right winger in a 4-4-2 formation, scored a clever lobbed goal in the 29th minute and set up Cristian Romero's header from a free kick in the second half .
- Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring in the 19th minute, while Jose Lopez completed the rout in the closing stages as Argentina cruised to victory .
- Coach Lionel Scaloni stated the federation will not assign the No. 10 to anyone before Messi's farewell match on October 7, calling the jersey "extremely meaningful" .
- Julian Alvarez, 26, who won the 2022 World Cup alongside Messi, has emerged as the frontrunner due to his proven international pedigree and offensive capabilities .
- Nico Paz, a 22-year-old product of Real Madrid's academy now at Como, has recorded one goal and three assists in six Serie A appearances this season, including a two-assist performance against RB Leipzig in the Champions League .
Why It Matters
Messi's impending retirement marks the end of an era for Argentine football, and the No. 10 jersey carries symbolic weight beyond mere squad numbers—it represents the creative fulcrum of the team, a role Messi has defined for nearly two decades . The debate over his successor reflects broader questions about how Argentina will evolve tactically and emotionally without their greatest player, with the chosen heir expected to carry both offensive responsibilities and the weight of national expectations .
Messi's impending retirement marks the end of an era for Argentine football, and the No. 10 jersey carries symbolic weight beyond mere squad numbers—it represents the creative fulcrum of the team, a role Messi has defined for nearly two decades . The debate over his successor reflects broader questions about how Argentina will evolve tactically and emotionally without their greatest player, with the chosen heir expected to carry both offensive responsibilities and the weight of national expectations .