Lionel Messi’s jersey number 10 set to retired by Argentina Football Association

Number 10 has always been the sign of greatness. Maybe it's just a coincidence or maybe not, but from Maradona, Toti, Pele, Sachin, Zidane, Ronaldinho to Messi. These legends have never let down the legacy of the number 10 jersey in sports.

Years ago the number 10 jersey of the Argentine National team was decided to be retired by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) to pay homage to the legendary Diego Maradona. It was worn by a player in Bielsa's team at the 2002 World Cup.

That time Julio Grondona the president of AFA and some of the officials wanted to remove the number but their wish “couldn’t be fulfilled” because there were some FIFA regulations. The regulations were that teams should use numbers 1 to 23 in the top national team tournament. After this the decision of retiring Maradona’s legendary number was cancelled and AFA chose Ariel Ortega as the last player to wear this number in Argentina-Peru match. 

Argentina to retire the jersey number of Lionel Messi

After winning the World Cup trophy in Qatar with the Argentina national team, Lionel Messi, the figure of the Argentine player will receive a last recognition.

The day Messi will call the day off and hang his boots, AFA has decided to retire the jersey number 10, which was a sign of legendary things in Argentina from Maradona to Messi. AFA president Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia has disclosed.

"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," AFA president Tapia told an Argentine newspaper.