Argentina’s national seems to have narrowed to just two names the candidate’s list of inheriting the legendary fanella with the number 10 of Lionel Mess, Lautaro Martinez, and Nico Paz, who are the main favourites.
The selection of the Messi successor is not an easy decision for selective Lionel Scalon, since the eight-time contribution and weight of the winner of the Golden Ball in the national world are almost impossible to replace.
However, in addition to the reconstruction of the team after the departure of the legendary captain Scalon, it must also decide who will carry the ike fan with a number 10.
According to reports, the two candidates are Lautaro Martinez and Nico Paz, who represent two different generations of Argentina football.
Martinez is seen as an experienced candidate, being one of the leading figures of Argentina’s recent successes. The Inter striker was protagonist in the Copa America 2024 final, where he scored the only football match goal after Messie had been forced to leave the field because of the injury.
He was part of all four Argentina triumphs over a four-year period, thus gaining an important position in the history of the current generation.
On the other hand, Nico Paz represents national future. Como’s 22-year-old mid-fielder already carries the fanella with the number 10 in the Italian club and is one of the most promising talents of Argentina football.
He received his first national invitation in 2024 and gradually became part of Scalon’s plans. After a narrower role in the last World, Paz shone on Argentina’s first three games after the tournament, marking each.
To him, Mess has always been an idol, and the opportunity to play alongside him was a dream come true.
The first time I saw him, I fell in love with the way he played. My father and I always tried to calculate if there would be time for one day to play beside him. It seemed almost impossible, but in the end fate or God made the realization of that dream possible. I’m so glad I had the chance to go through it, he’d declared the Paz about Mess.
The Fanilla’s Historic Weight Number 10
In Argentina, the 10th – number fanella has a far greater meaning than the usual number in football. It is worn by some of the greatest legends of this sport, including Diego Maradona, Mario Kempes, and Lionel Messin.
This tradition has become a symbol of the Argentine football identity, where number 10 is usually entrusted to the team’s most creative and crucial football player.
Messie herself had earlier shown that her desire to carry that number was present from childhood to Argentinan football players.
We all thought we were a little different as players. Even if we weren’t, we all wanted to carry the number 10 from our young age. It’s definitely a special fan, Messy said. /Telegrafi/