# The number 10 shirt must not retire with Messi

https://mins.news/en/item/45735

- Al Jazeera, 2026-09-04 16:31 UTC
- Sports
- Original: https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2026/9/4/the-number-10-shirt-must-not-retire-with-messi?traffic_source=rss

> Lionel Messi’s retirement from Argentina’s national team triggered an outpouring of grief and gratitude. After years of being compared with Diego Maradona, Messi leaves as a national symbol, but the number 10 shirt should remain available for the next great Argentine player to make it his own.