No player will ever pull on Argentina’s No. 10 after Lionel Messi. That is the standing pledge from AFA president Claudio Tapia, who has said the shirt will be retired for life once Messi ends his international career.

“When Messi retires from the national team, we will not allow anyone else to wear the number 10 after him. This number 10 will be retired for life in his honor. It’s the least we can do for him.”

The pledge is back in focus this week amid reports that the AFA is planning Messi’s farewell. And Messi, so far, is refusing to give a date.

No goodbye yet

After Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final in East Rutherford, many had expected the 39-year-old to declare his international career over. He did not. Gastón Edul of TyC Sports first reported that Messi wants to keep playing for the national team over the coming months before any formal announcement.

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Head coach Lionel Scaloni was asked in the immediate aftermath and had no clarity to offer.

“I don’t know. I have no idea. He never stops surprising us.”

Messi’s own post-match words were about the supporters, not the future.

“When I heard the Argentina fans chanting my name after the defeat, that was the moment that broke me.”

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A farewell match on home soil

The AFA is organising a proper send-off inside Argentina, a match built entirely around Messi and announced well in advance so supporters can travel and fill the stadium. Neither the opponent nor the date has been fixed.

Ángel Di María told reporters the captain should keep going for as long as he wants.

“Leo has to keep going as long as he wants. At 39, he’s shown that he’s one of the best.”

The idea of retiring the shirt outright is not new in Argentine football. A proposal to retire the No. 10 in Diego Maradona’s honour was made in 2002 but blocked by FIFA rules that require national teams to list numbers 1-23 for every tournament. The AFA has not yet said how it intends to work around the same regulation for Messi.

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What Argentina are losing

Messi finished the World Cup as its second-highest scorer with 8 goals and 4 assists at 39, behind only Kylian Mbappé, who claimed the Golden Boot with 10.

The next chance to see him in light blue and white is the international window between 21 September and 6 October, when Scaloni’s schedule of friendlies resumes.

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