Argentina fans are pushing to retire Lionel Messi's No. 10 jersey for good, but a FIFA regulation on squad numbering stands in the way. Lionel Messi‘s retirement from the Argentina national team has reignited a wish among fans on social media: retiring the No. 10 jersey permanently so no other player ever wears it for the Albiceleste again. The idea behind the push is straightforward for those calling for it — leaving the number forever associated with Messi, who wore it for two decades and leaves as the national team’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player. Doing so would also tie the number permanently to Diego Maradona, the other legendary figure most responsible for turning it into far more than just a shirt number. Regardless of how much support the idea gathers, it runs into a hard regulatory wall. FIFA rules require official squad lists for tournaments like the World Cup and Copa America to use consecutive numbering from 1 to 26, with a number assigned to every single player named to the roster. That means the No. 10 cannot simply be left unused in official competition, no matter how symbolic the gesture would be. The rule leaves Argentina with limited options — the number could theoretically go unused in a friendly, but in any official tournament, someone on the 26-man list would have to wear it. El escudo más lindo de todos también quería dedicarte unas palabras, Capitán 🐐🔟.Gracias, una vez más. Tu legado será infinito. pic.twitter.com/3TZfqVTFLs— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) September 1, 2026 The Maradona precedent This isn’t the first time this exact request has come up. Argentina previously attempted to retire the No. 10 ahead of the 2002 World Cup as a tribute to Maradona, whose career had already cemented the number’s legendary status in the country. FIFA rejected the request outright, citing the same consecutive-numbering requirement that stands in the way today. As a result, the number continued to be worn by subsequent generations of Argentine players in the years that followed, eventually passing to Messi himself. With that same regulation still in place, any renewed push to retire the No. 10 in his honor would face the identical outcome once again. Who could wear the No. 10 next? Beyond the retirement debate, the more immediate question is who actually inherits the No. 10 shirt when Argentina takes the field again. According to reports, Nico Paz is projected as a candidate, given that the Como playmaker operates in a similar position to Messi and wears the same number in his club. The concern, however, is whether the 22-year-old can handle the weight of that number so early in his international career. For that reason, some believe it might be better suited to a proven World Cup winner rather than a newcomer, with names like Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez floated as alternatives who already have the pedigree and experience to carry that symbolic responsibility for the Albiceleste going forward.
The Argentine had previously angered Chelsea supporters by flirting with a move to Real Madrid last season, leading to him being suspended by the club for two matches.
Despite playing for some of Europe and the world’s biggest clubs and carrying the attacking hopes of Portugal and Norway, the two prolific forwards have somehow never shared the pitch against one another. Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland have each spent years dominating the headlines individually, yet one unusual gap in their careers has remained untouched. Despite playing for some of Europe and the world’s biggest clubs and carrying the attacking hopes of Portugal and Norway, the two prolific forwards have somehow never shared the pitch against one another. That is about to change, with a meeting between two generations of elite goalscorers now looming on the international calendar. Ronaldo’s extraordinary longevity will go up against Haaland’s explosive rise, creating one of the most intriguing individual battles the Nations League could offer. Remarkably, the two aces have avoided each other for so long. Ronaldo has spent much of his career competing at the highest level with clubs such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr, while Haaland’s rise has taken him through Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City. Their paths have also failed to cross internationally. Portugal and Norway have met several times over the years, but their previous encounters came before Haaland established himself as a senior international star, with Norway’s striker making his senior debut in 2019. icardo Quaresma of Portugal challenges Heven Hovland of Norway during 2016 International Friendly match Even at club level, there has been no opportunity for the pair to face each other in a competitive fixture in which both were involved. That makes their upcoming international meeting particularly unusual, considering how frequently their names have been compared as some of soccer’s most dangerous finishers. The long-awaited date is finally here The wait will end on Sunday, September 27, 2026, when Portugal travel to Oslo to face Norway at Ullevaal Stadion in the Nations League. The fixture is scheduled for Sunday, with the two countries drawn together in League A, Group 4, alongside Denmark and Wales. A return meeting is scheduled for October 4 in Porto, giving the two national teams another opportunity to settle the group contest. However, it is the first match to attract most attention because it could finally deliver the long-awaited Ronaldo-Haaland showdown. Ronaldo’s experience vs Haaland’s power The contrast between the two forwards makes the matchup even more fascinating. Ronaldo remains one of the most prolific international goalscorers in soccer history, while Haaland has developed into one of the most feared center-forwards of the modern era. Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal. Ronaldo’s game has evolved throughout his career, but his movement, finishing and ability to produce decisive moments remain central to Portugal’s attack. Haaland, meanwhile, combines extraordinary physical strength with pace and ruthless finishing, making him a constant threat whenever Norway reaches the final third. Erling Haaland #9 of Norway. Their careers therefore represent two very different stories. Ronaldo has built his legacy through remarkable longevity and sustained excellence, while Haaland is still establishing his place among the game’s elite.
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