Claims emerge that Nico Paz could be Argentina's new number 10 after Messi
Following Lionel Messi's announcement that he is retiring from the national team, reports suggest that there is a plan to hand the number 10 jersey to Nico Paz in Argentina.
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Following the announcement that the Lionel Messi era has come to an end for the Argentina National Team, all eyes have turned to the number 10 jersey, one of the most iconic shirts in football history. While retiring the jersey number for official matches appears unlikely due to FIFA regulations, a striking claim has emerged regarding who head coach Lionel Scaloni will entrust with the shirt.
According to ESPN, if Scaloni renews his contract with the Argentina National Team, the number 10 jersey will be given to Nico Paz. The report states that the decision has already been discussed within the federation and is being taken seriously.
If Scaloni renews his contract as Argentina head coach, which is expected to be negotiated in the coming months, the number 10 jersey will pass to Nico Paz. This decision has already been made internally and is being taken seriously.
Paz, who is only 21 years old, has worn the Argentina National Team jersey 11 times. The attacking midfielder, considered one of the most promising young players in European football, currently plays for Italian Serie A side Como under the management of Cesc Fabregas.
Born in Spain, Nico Paz was transferred from Tenerife to the Real Madrid youth academy at a young age. Although Real Madrid held a buy-back clause for the player, a new agreement was reached with Como this summer. It was noted that the Italian club kept Paz for 50 million pounds, and that there is a new buy-back option for Real Madrid valid until 2027 worth 68.6 million pounds.
The number 10 jersey left behind by Messi has held special significance in Argentine football since the days of Diego Armando Maradona. Messi was his country's biggest star in that shirt for years; he finished his national team career with 125 goals in 207 matches, winning one World Cup and two Copa America titles.
Messi had also announced his retirement from the national team following the 2016 Copa America final, but later reversed his decision. This time, the 39-year-old star's farewell has made the new era in Argentina and the future of the number 10 jersey one of the most discussed topics.