The departure of Lionel Messi from the Argentine National Team not only raises a profound footballing question. After more than two decades wearing the albiceleste jersey and almost 17 years as the owner of the number 10, his retirement has left a symbol vacant that must find a new heir at the start of the journey towards the 2030 World Cup.
While it is still uncertain who will wear it, several candidates with sporting arguments and different paths within Lionel Scaloni's cycle emerge from the current squad.
Nico Paz and Thiago Almada, the creative options
Nicolás Paz stands out as one of the most natural alternatives due to his characteristics and potential. The attacking midfielder from Como is part of the generational change and can play as a playmaker, interior midfielder, or behind the forwards. At just 22 years old, he was one of the young players included in the list for the 2026 World Cup, where he wore the number 18 jersey.
By characteristics, Nico Paz and Thiago Almada could be the natural heirs of the "10"
On the other hand, Thiago Almada also appears among the main names for similar reasons. A world champion in Qatar 2022 and with an increasingly significant presence in Scaloni's team, the current Atlético de Madrid player offers versatility in the attacking sector. During the last World Cup, he wore number 16 and has already had opportunities to take on a leading role in matches where Messi was not present.
The experience of Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez
The experience and specific weight within the squad also play in favor of Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez to be the next bearers of the 10. La Araña has established himself as one of the main offensive references of the new generation and has an extensive career with the Albiceleste, although the number 9 jersey seems closely linked to his identity within the national team.
Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez could also wear the "10"
El Toro, meanwhile, is one of the players with the most experience during the Scaloni era and ranks among Argentina's all-time top scorers. Additionally, he played a decisive role during the 2026 World Cup by scoring the goal that qualified the team for the final against Spain.
The last players to wear the 10 without Messi
Recent history shows that the jersey was not always left without an owner when Messi was absent. The last to wear it was Franco Mastantuono, in September 2025 against Ecuador, during the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
Franco Mastantuono was the last bearer of the "10" when Messi was not present
Before him, it was worn by Ángel Correa during the double match in March 2025, and Paulo Dybala, who even scored a goal with that number against Chile in 2024. Other players also had the opportunity to wear it during Messi's absences, including Sergio Agüero, Éver Banega, Ángel Di María, Javier Pastore, Erik Lamela, and Walter Montillo.
The story of Messi with the number 10 jersey
Before being definitively associated with Messi, Juan Román Riquelme was its last great owner. La Pulga began wearing it on March 28, 2009, against Venezuela, in the qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup, and did so with a goal and an assist in Diego Maradona's debut as coach.
Riquelme was the last bearer of the number 10 before Messi arrived at the National Team
In recent years, several current members of the national team have already worn the 10 at their clubs. Lautaro Martínez wears it at Inter, Alexis Mac Allister at Liverpool, and Nico Paz at Como. They have also worn it at different stages of their careers Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Thiago Almada, Giovani Lo Celso, and Nicolás González.
