Lionel Messi has been launched from worldwide responsibility for Argentina’s September break and received’t characteristic in opposition to Ecuador. Together with his absence in Guayaquil for the ultimate CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifier, stories counsel the successor to his iconic No. 10 shirt has already been chosen.
In a heartwarming farewell at a packed Estadio Monumental, Messi bid goodbye to the CONMEBOL qualifiers in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Venezuela, scoring twice in a classic efficiency. After the match, the Inter Miami star introduced he would step apart for the journey to Ecuador to give attention to his health.
“I spoke with Leo and we determined—or moderately, he determined—that I ought to relaxation. As I simply stated, I’m coming off an damage, and despite the fact that I’m nice now, we most well-liked to keep away from the journey and having to play one other match, so I can relaxation correctly and put together properly for what’s coming,” Messi informed reporters within the blended zone again on Thursday.
In accordance with ESPN’s Leandro Alves, Thiago Almada has been chosen to put on the No. 10 shirt in Messi’s absence. The Atlético Madrid midfielder impressed in opposition to Venezuela with an influential position in assault, and has now earned the popularity to hold Argentina’s most iconic quantity.
Thiago Almada of Argentina runs with the ball throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026 South American Qualifier match between Argentina and Colombia.
Almada, who was a part of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup–successful squad, took one other huge step this summer time by shifting to Atlético Madrid from Lyon. The previous Atlanta United star has already made 11 appearances for the Albiceleste, recording 4 targets and two assists, and at 24 years outdated he’ll now have the honour of sporting the No. 10.
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Messi first donned the jersey on March 28, 2009, and prior to now 16 years solely a handful of gamers have worn it in his absence. Almada will develop into the seventeenth participant to take action, becoming a member of an inventory that features Ariel Ortega, Sergio Agüero, Erik Lamela, Javier Pastore, Ángel Di María, Ángel Correa, and Paulo Dybala.
What in regards to the captain’s armband?
Together with the No. 10, Messi can also be Argentina’s captain, and with him again at Inter Miami the armband wanted a brand new bearer. In latest matches, Cristian Romero and Ángel Di María stuffed the position, however with Romero suspended and Di María retired from worldwide play, Lionel Scaloni needed to flip to a different choice.
In Monday’s press convention, the Argentina coach confirmed veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi would take the armband: “Nicolás Otamendi means rather a lot to us. With every part occurring with Leo, we type of forgot a bit. That’s why he performed the opposite day in opposition to Venezuela—I wished him to relaxation, however he deserved to play that match. He’s given us monumental assist all this time.”
The coach went on to reward the 36-year-old’s significance. “He has at all times proven what this jersey means: he’s come to play injured, he’s performed in opposition to the opinion of his membership, and that claims rather a lot. He missed the Copa América, however when he got here on for a couple of minutes, he confirmed what being a part of the group means to him. Undoubtedly, tomorrow he would be the captain.” Otamendi will lead Argentina for the ninth time once they face Ecuador.
