SM
Ipswich vs. Man United: 18 hrs 55 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"
Title blow! Man City lose five in a row as four-goal Spurs dismantle the champions
"He's been unfairly judged" - Have the critics been too harsh on Arsenal's Merino?
Argentina forward Lionel Messi's record vs. Peru

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144
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

'Not good enough': Man United chiefs have 'serious doubts' over summer arrival

1

'G

Yoro is back! When could Man United centre-back make his debut?

2

YI

'We have bricks, we need cement': Arteta explains plan for Arsenal's Nwaneri

NEW

3

'H

Title blow! Man City lose five in a row as four-goal Spurs dismantle the champions

4

TB

Is Rashford in Amorim's plans at Man United moving forward?

5

IR

Team News: Ipswich vs. Man Utd injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

6

TN

Team News: Leganes vs. Real Madrid injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

7

TN

'I'm trying to convince him': Maresca comments on Fernandez tactical tweak

8

'T

Man City vs. Spurs confirmed XIs: Foden, De Bruyne decisions made, Johnson benched

9

MC

Ronaldo 'contacted by European giant' with Al-Nassr contract expiring next summer

10

R'


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