SM
Watford vs. Oxford Utd: 5 hrs 24 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Argentina

Argentina to retire Lionel Messi's number 10 shirt when he stops playing

:Headline: Argentina to retire Lionel Messi's number 10 shirt when he stops playing:
Argentina are drawing up plans to retire Lionel Messi's number 10 shirt when the World Cup winner decides to call time on his international career.
Sports Mole

The President of the Argentinian FA has revealed plans to retire Lionel Messi's number 10 jersey when he calls time on his international career.

Messi cemented his legacy as an Argentinian icon when he led his country to their third World Cup trophy at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

The forward netted seven goals and provided three assists as Argentina went on to lift the World Cup for the first time since 1986.

Not only has Messi helped his country win football's greatest prize, but he is also Argentina's record appearance holder and all-time leading scorer after racking up 106 goals in 180 international appearances.

Although Messi continues to represent La Albiceleste, the nation's FA are already drawing up plans to honour his legacy by retiring the famous number 10 shirt that was also worn by the iconic Diego Maradona.

AFA President Claudio Tapia told reporters: "When Messi retires from the national team, we will not allow anyone else to wear the number 10 after him. This number 10 will be retired for life in his honour. It's the least we can do for him."

Messi addressed his international future in a recent interview with journalist Sebastian Vignolo, admitting that he is unsure whether he will be able to play in the 2026 World Cup.

The 36-year-old said: "Today all I'm thinking about is getting to the Copa America and being able to play in it and hopefully be able to fight again and try to be champions and then time will tell if I'm there or not.

"The reality is that I'm going to be at an age that normally doesn't allow one to play at a World Cup and that's why I said I don't think I'll be there.

"But now I want to be here [Argentina] more than ever because after spending so many years suffering and now we're experiencing a special moment that I've never experienced before.

"I want to enjoy it and I feel good with the group. I want to take advantage of all that without thinking about two or three years' time, which in football is a lot.

"I'm not thinking about the World Cup, but I'm not saying 100% that I won't be there because anything can happen. Because of my age and situation, the most normal thing is that I won't be there.

"But then we'll see how far it goes and maybe we'll do well in the Copa America and everything will work out for me to continue or maybe not, I can't say yes or no."

While Messi is focused on Argentina's defence of the Copa America next summer, he is also preparing for his first full season with Inter Miami.

The Argentine will be joined by another former Barcelona teammate after Luis Suarez recently completed a deal to join Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets at the MLS side. body check tags ::

amp_article__532619 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-01-01 10:44:19:
html db last update - 2024-01-01 10:44:19 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Lionel Messi future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Lionel Messi

Click here for more stories about Argentina

Share this article now:
AD
Read Next:
Maradona criticises Argentina "disaster"
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Lionel Messi Claudio Tapia Sebastian Vignolo Diego Maradona Luis Suarez Sergio Busquets Jordi Alba Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Maradona criticises Argentina "disaster"
Major transfer boost: Man United 'given encouragement' in pursuit of Gyokeres

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Preview: Man Utd vs. Leicester - prediction, team news, lineups

1

PM

Preview: Chelsea vs. Arsenal - prediction, team news, lineups

2

PC

Cubarsi to play in a mask? Predicted Barcelona XI vs. Real Sociedad

NEW

3

CT

Will Palmer return? Chelsea injury, suspension list vs. Arsenal

4

WP

Eleven changes, will Palmer be one of them? Chelsea predicted XI against Arsenal

5

EC

Preview: Spurs vs. Ipswich - prediction, team news, lineups

6

PS

Win comes at a cost: Man United suffer fresh injury blow vs. PAOK

7

WC

Rice question answered, will Odegaard start? Arsenal predicted XI against Chelsea

8

RQ

Preview: Roma vs. Bologna - prediction, team news, lineups

9

PR

Chelsea vs. Arsenal: Head-to-head record and past meetings

10

CV


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .