Lionel Scaloni has confirmed Argentina's iconic number 10 shirt will not be retired when Lionel Messi steps away from international football, but the forward's successor is yet to be decided.
Scaloni yet to decide who will succeed Messi as Argentina's number 10
Lionel Messi's number 10 shirt will be assigned to another Argentina player after this international break, but their identity is undecided.
In the wake of the Albiceleste's World Cup final defeat to Spain in July, Messi confirmed he would bring an end to his incredible international career.
Messi will retire from Argentina duty as the only man to ever start three World Cup finals, the leading appearance-maker in the history of FIFA's flagship tournament (34), and the player with the most combined goal involvements at World Cups (33, 21 goals, 12 assists, since assist records began in 1966).
He will make one final appearance for his country in a farewell match against Benin on October 6 at the Estadio Monumental, which will be his 208th senior cap.
Before then, Scaloni's side will host Bolivia on Wednesday and Burkina Faso on Saturday, with Messi not linking up with the squad until after those matches.
Argentina have not yet assigned the number 10 shirt to any other player, and Scaloni says it will not be handed out until after Messi's last game.
"We aren't obligated to assign it for these matches, so we won't give it to anyone until Leo's farewell game," Scaloni told reporters on Tuesday.
"The idea is for someone to eventually take it on, given how special it is to wear. We just haven't decided who yet."
Como's breakout star Nico Paz has been tipped to take the iconic number 10, which was worn by Mario Kempes and Diego Maradona for Argentina's first two World Cup wins in 1978 and 1986, while Julian Alvarez, Thiago Almada and Franco Mastantuono are also contenders.
Argentina have confirmed the identity of their next captain, with Cristian Romero taking the armband, but there are still questions regarding how they will adapt their style of play without Messi.
Scaloni, who is in talks over a contract extension to run through the 2030 World Cup, plans to use the upcoming matches to try new things.
"That's what these matches are for – to experiment," Scaloni said. "That said, our core style still revolves around controlling the ball. From there, we'll see how we adapt.
"We will always compete. I am certain of that, which is why I decided to stay. We see the talent coming through and the hunger to be here.
"Not a single player turned down a call-up for this window, which is a great sign.
"We are guaranteed to compete against anyone, and I have no doubt we will perform at a high level."
