{
  "id": 18395289,
  "title": "Argentina leave Messi’s No. 10 vacant for friendlies",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/argentina-leave-messis-no-10-vacant-for-friendlies-18395289",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-05T23:22:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/argentina-leave-messis-no-10-vacant-for-friendlies/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Argentina’s Head coach Lionel Scaloni has decided not to assign Lionel Messi’s iconic number 10 shirt to any player during the upcoming November friendly matches, according to TyC Sports. The legendary shirt worn by Messi for nearly two decades will remain unassigned during the friendlies against Uruguay on November 13 and Costa Rica on November 17. FIFA friendly matches do not require teams to assign shirt numbers consecutively, allowing Scaloni to leave the number vacant until the 2027 South American qualifiers. Nico Paz, a 22-year-old Como player, is the leading contender for Messi’s famous number, with teammate Valentín Barco supporting his claim. However, Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández are also being considered as potential candidates for the iconic shirt. Messi’s retirement from international football on August 31, 2026, ended his 23-year tenure with the national team, during which he claimed the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Copa América titles. Despite retiring, Messi continues his club career with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.",
  "summary": "Argentina will not assign Lionel Messi’s iconic number 10 shirt to any player during their November international friendlies following the former captain’s retirement from the national team. Read More: https://punchng.com/argentina-leave-messis-no-10-vacant-for-friendlies/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Argentina take decision on handing out Messi's No.10 shirt",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/argentina-take-decision-on-handing-out-messis-no-10-shirt",
        "published": "2026-11-05T20:50:36.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}