Argentina's No. 10 Jersey: From Messi to Nico Paz – Scaloni's Bold Decision

Since Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football, the legendary No. 10 jersey of the Argentina national team has become the center of attention. Who will inherit the legacy left by Diego Maradona and Messi? According to ESPN Argentina, head coach Lionel Scaloni has made a surprising decision: to award the iconic No. 10 shirt to Nico Paz, the 21-year-old midfielder currently playing for Como in Serie A. This decision has reportedly been set by Scaloni for some time, despite competition from stars like Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister. Insider Federico Bueno from ESPN Argentina revealed: 'If Scaloni renews as Argentina's coach, which is expected to be negotiated in the coming months, the No. 10 shirt will go to Nico Paz. This has already been decided internally and is being taken very seriously.' However, everything depends on Scaloni renewing his contract, which expires at the end of 2026. Scaloni, who led La Albiceleste to two consecutive FIFA World Cup finals in 2026 and 2026, winning the 2026 edition, is reportedly in line to sign an extension until 2030. Nico Paz, aged 21, is expected to be a key part of Como as they aim for a solid Serie A campaign. Last season, Como secured UEFA Champions League qualification, with Paz scoring 13 goals and registering seven assists across all competitions while wearing No. 10. The former Real Madrid player has 11 international caps for Argentina, scoring one goal. The decision to hand the jersey to a young player like Paz is a bold move by Scaloni, but it carries risks. The pressure of wearing such an iconic shirt could affect the player's development. Nevertheless, Scaloni seems confident in Paz's abilities, demonstrated by his impressive performances at Como. If everything goes well, Paz could become a worthy successor to Messi, enabling Argentina to continue dominating world football. Whether Nico Paz can handle this responsibility remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Argentina is preparing for a new era, and the No. 10 jersey has once again become the focus of dreams. The decision also reflects Scaloni's long-term philosophy of building a collective team. Paz's technical ability, passing, and composure under pressure make him an ideal fit for the No. 10 role. With time, he could become the centerpiece of Argentina's future success.