Lionel Messi: Argentina to retire No 10 jersey when Inter Miami star bows out from soccer with the country set to honor their World Cup-winning captain ‘for life’

Lionel Messi's legendary No.10 Argentina shirt will be retired 'for life' when he hangs up his boots, the country's FA president has revealed.

Messi, considered by many to be the greatest footballer in history, put the icing on the cake of his iconic career last year when he helped Argentina end their 35-year wait for a World Cup in Qatar.

The Inter Miami superstar has now inspired his country to a possible major trophy as he scored 106 goals in his 180 caps, cementing his status as an all-time Argentine legend alongside the great Diego Maradona.

And as he plays out the final years of his career at the age of 36, Messi's country is already planning to honor their World Cup-winning captain by retiring his number 10 jersey.

“If Messi retires from the national team, we will not allow anyone else to wear the number 10 after him,” AFA president Claudio Tapia said.

Lionel Messi's No. 10 Argentina shirt will be retired 'for life' as he hangs up his boots

Messi put the icing on the cake of his iconic career last year when he helped Argentina end its 35-year wait for a World Cup in Qatar

The country's FA president has confirmed that no player will wear the famous number 10 after him

'This number 10 will be retired for life in his honour. It's the least we can do for him.'

Messi made his international debut for Argentina as an 18-year-old in 2005 but was sent off after just two minutes following a nightmare first cap.

Apart from winning an Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Games in Beijing, the Barcelona great failed to inspire his country to the same kind of success he enjoyed at club level until 2021.

It was then that he guided Argentina to Copa America glory – their first major title since 1993 – before adding the World Cup to his CV almost 18 months later.

Messi, who is gearing up for his first full season with Miami after moving to MLS in the summer, will remain captain of his country six months shy of his 37th birthday.

The former Paris Saint-Germain forward has had a breathtaking start to his career with Miami this year. He scored eleven goals in fourteen games and inspired the franchise to its first ever success in the Leagues Cup.

He will be joined at the DRV PNK Stadium next season by ex-Barcelona teammate and close friend Luis Suarez, who recently completed his move from Brazilian team Gremio to Miami.

Messi and Suarez enjoyed great success together at Barcelona, ​​with the pair achieving a historic treble in 2014/2015 after forming a lethal attacking partnership with Neymar.