Scaloni’s Argentina plan puts Nico Paz at centre of Messi’s number 10 legacy

Lionel Scaloni has identified Nico Paz as the player who could take over Argentina’s historic number 10 shirt after Lionel Messi’s international retirement, according to ESPN.

Messi announced his decision to retire from international football this week at the age of 39, creating uncertainty over who will wear one of the most famous shirts in the game. FIFA regulations make it difficult for Argentina to withhold the number in official matches, meaning a successor will have to be chosen.

Messi inherited the shirt from another of Argentina’s greatest footballers, the late Diego Maradona, who also wore number 10 for his country and became a national icon.

ESPN reports that the decision has already been made internally and that Paz will be given the shirt if Scaloni extends his contract as Argentina manager. Talks over a new agreement are expected to take place in the coming months.

The report said: “If Scaloni renews his contract as Argentina coach, something that is expected to be negotiated in the coming months, the number 10 shirt will go to Nico Paz. This decision has already been made internally and is being taken seriously.”

Paz is only 21 but has already won 11 caps for Argentina. He has emerged as one of the most exciting young talents in European football and currently plays for Como in Italy under former Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

Born in Spain, Paz joined Real Madrid’s academy as a teenager after the Spanish club signed him from Tenerife. Real Madrid retained a buy-back clause in his agreement and were thought likely to bring him back this summer, but instead reached a new arrangement with Como.

The Italian club kept the attacking midfielder in a restructured deal worth £50m. The agreement removed the previous buy-back and sell-on clauses, while giving Real Madrid a new £68.6m buy-back option valid until 2027.

Messi’s latest announcement is the second time he has retired from international football. He first stepped away in 2016 after Argentina lost successive Copa America finals, either side of defeat by Germany in the 2014 World Cup final.

He later reversed that decision, beginning a decade in which Argentina enjoyed sustained success. Messi led the national team to the 2021 Copa America title, the 2022 World Cup and another Copa America triumph.

He finished his international career with 125 goals in 207 appearances for Argentina. His achievements included one World Cup and two Copa America titles, while his departure leaves the number 10 shirt facing another significant change in the country’s football history.