Dbarta24 Sports Desk- Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed there is no immediate rush to hand over Lionel Messi’s iconic No. 10 shirt, stating that no player will wear the legendary jersey in the upcoming international friendlies leading up to Messi’s final farewell appearance.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday ahead of Argentina’s friendly against Bolivia, Scaloni put an end to speculation regarding who would inherit the famous shirt in the absence of the legendary playmaker.
“There is no obligation to give the shirt to anyone for these matches, so we are not giving it to anyone until Leo’s farewell match,” Scaloni said. “However, considering how special it is to wear it, someone will eventually take it, although we haven’t decided who that will be yet.”
Following his announcement on social media last August regarding his retirement from international football, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) persuaded the World Cup winner to feature in one final home match to receive a proper send-off. That farewell match will take place against Benin at the end of the current international window.
Before that final tribute match, Argentina faces a rare three-match home friendly series: opening against Bolivia on Thursday morning (6:00 AM BDT)—the team’s first outing since last July’s World Cup final—followed by a clash against Burkina Faso on Sunday, before wrapping up against Benin on Wednesday morning (5:00 AM BDT).
While Messi missed occasional matches in the past due to injury or tactical rest since his international debut in 2005, his permanent departure forces the coaching staff to adapt to a reality completely independent of their talisman. Scaloni acknowledged the tactical shift required for the future.
“We will find ways to play differently,” Scaloni noted. “These matches are meant for tests like this. However, our core style will still revolve around maintaining ball possession, and from there, we will see how to adapt.”
With Messi sidelined for the initial friendlies, Scaloni is expected to pair forwards Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez upfront against Bolivia. Young attacking midfielder Nico Paz, who currently plays for Como, is likely to take on the creative playmaker role in Messi’s absence.
Other potential lineup changes include Palmeiras defender Agustín Giay starting at right-back, while Exequiel Palacios is set to replace the suspended Enzo Fernández. Valentín Barco could also feature in the tactical setup as Argentina takes its first steps into a new era.