Messi’s No 10 successor: Serie A starlets Paz and Mastantuono among the contenders

Argentina's pursuit of a successor to Lionel Messi in the No 10 shirt has begun, with two Serie A playmakers, Nico Paz of Como and Franco Mastantuono of Fiorentina, emerging as top contenders, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. Paz is considered the favorite among Argentine fans, while Mastantuono, on loan from Real Madrid, is also in the running.

Both players possess the left foot and creativity synonymous with Argentina's legendary No 10s. Another option with immediate impact is Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister, who has already worn the number for his club and boasts World Cup experience. Lionel Messi, in his final appearance for Argentina following his announcement of international retirement, has made 126 goals in 208 caps for his country.

His coach, Lionel Scaloni, is taking his time in deciding, stating that the idea is for a player to make the shirt his own. FIFA's rules prohibit the retirement of the No 10 shirt, as national teams must number their squads consecutively from 1 to 26, leaving no gaps. When Argentina attempted to retire the No 10 in honor of Diego Maradona before the 2002 World Cup, FIFA refused, and Ariel Ortega took it on instead.