Nico Paz Emerges as Leading Candidate to Inherit Argentina's Iconic No. 10

Nico Paz has reportedly emerged as the leading candidate to inherit Argentina's famous No. 10 shirt following Lionel Messi's decision to retire from international football. The Como midfielder is considered a stronger option for the iconic number than Lautaro Martinez, who has also been associated with the shirt during his club career at Inter Milan.

Messi's departure marks the end of a remarkable era for Argentina. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner announced his retirement after Argentina's defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, bringing his international career to a close at the age of 39. Having previously stepped away from the national team temporarily in 2016, Messi returned and eventually helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The decision leaves Argentina with a major question over the future of the No. 10 shirt, a number that carries enormous historical significance. Diego Maradona famously wore it before Messi, making it one of the most prestigious numbers in Argentine football. According to reports from ESPN Argentina, Paz is now at the front of the queue to take on the responsibility and symbolism attached to the shirt.

Paz has already established himself as one of the most exciting young players in Serie A. The 21-year-old has made 11 appearances for Argentina while wearing No. 18 and has continued to develop rapidly at Como. His performances have been impressive enough for the Italian club to invest €60 million to secure his permanent future after his spell with Real Madrid.

His numbers also highlight his growing influence in attack. Paz recorded six goals and nine assists during his first Serie A campaign in 2024/25 before producing an even stronger season in 2025/26, scoring 12 goals and providing seven assists in 35 league appearances. With his creativity, attacking output and potential to become a key figure for Argentina, Paz could now be on course to begin a new era by taking over one of the most famous shirts in international football.