Nico Paz will take Lionel Messi’s No.10 shirt for future Argentina tournaments.
ESPN Argentina report that head coach Lionel Sclaoni has made the decision following Messi’s retirement.
The Argentine federation had previously said they would retire the shirt, but FIFA rules prohibit such an act.
For World Cups the 26 players in a squad have to take shirt numbers 1 to 26.
As such, Como’s Paz will take what is probably the most iconic shirt in football.
Not only has the blue and white striped No.10 Argentina shirt been worn by Messi, but also the legendary Diego Maradona.
Argentina similarly said they’d retire it in 2001, but then Ariel Ortega had to wear it at the next tournament.
Who is Nico Paz?
Paz was born in Spain to a Spanish mother, but chose to represent Argentina who his father Pablo played for.
An attacking midfielder, the 21-year-old was quickly picked up by Real Madrid’s famed academy but only made eight appearances before being sold to Como in 2024 with a buy-back option.
Madrid exercised the €10million option this summer, and Como then obliterated their club record transfer, using a first refusal option to bring him back for €60m.
Paz now has an €80m option in his contract for Madrid, but will play in the Champions League for Cesc Fabregas’ Como this season.
Discussing why he was so keen to stay in Italy, Paz said of Fabregas: “He was the most important factor.
“He has a lot of faith in us, he’s a young coach, someone who lives for football, works hard, studies hard, and allows me to play the way I want to play. He’s fundamental.
“We’re having a good season; honestly, we didn’t expect it to be this good.
“The incredible work we’ve done is paying off, and I think we deserve it.
“We have to do everything we can; we’ll go and give it our all. We’re ready and we want to play as well as we can.”
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