Argentina Coach Claims No. 10 Jersey Is For Messi Only

Argentina Reserves No 10 Jersey For Messi

Argentina manager, Lionel Scaloni, has revealed that the No. 10 jersey is reserved for Lionel Messi, until he decides his international future.

Messi, who led Argentina side to the world cup in Russia, has taken an indefinite break from the national team.

The team, since the absence of Messi, have not allowed any player wear the N0. 10 jersey.

Speaking at a news conference ahead of Argentina’s friendly against Colombia in New Jersey on Tuesday, Scaloni said, “Most of the players that went to the World Cup have kept their numbers.

“In this case, Argentina No. 10 belongs to Messi until he says whether or not he will continue. In principle, we do not have a negative [answer] from him. I have made the decision that nobody uses it.

“In the future we will see what happens. For now, nobody has the No. 10 because it’s exclusively for him and I made the decision.”

He stated that he is working on constructing a style of play that will suit Messi if he decides to return to the national team.

He said: “It’s obvious that when the best player in the world is not on the pitch, especially if he is Argentinian, the team loses. There is no doubt about it.

“Our idea is to build a team so that, in the event that he [Messi] is in, he feels comfortable. In the meantime, we want to build a group of young players that understand what it means to play with this jersey and then we will see what happens in the future.“

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