{
  "id": 11397128,
  "title": "FIFA blocks Argentina’s plan to retire Messi’s No. 10 shirt",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/fifa-blocks-argentinas-plan-to-retire-messis-no-10-shirt-11397128",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-02T08:44:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/fifa-blocks-argentinas-plan-to-retire-messis-no-10-shirt/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "FIFA has ruled out Argentina's plan to permanently retire Lionel Messi's No. 10 shirt following his retirement from international football, according to reports. The Argentine Football Association had requested the retirement of the iconic number to honor Messi, who has made over 200 appearances for his country and scored 125 goals. However, FIFA regulations require teams competing in international final tournaments to use squad numbers ranging from 1 to 26, making it impossible for Argentina to permanently retire the No. 10 shirt. The decision leaves the future of the number 10 shirt uncertain, with Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni yet to decide who will inherit the number after Messi's farewell match.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Retirement: FIFA rule blocks Argentina from paying special tribute to Messi",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/retirement-fifa-rule-blocks-argentina-from-paying-special-tribute-to",
        "published": "2026-10-02T05:13:24.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "FIFA blocks Argentina’s plan to retire Messi’s No. 10 shirt",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/fifa-blocks-argentinas-plan-to-retire-messis-no-10-shirt",
        "published": "2026-10-02T08:16:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}