Mastantuono to wear Messi’s No 10 for Argentina against Ecuador | OneFootball

Franco Mastantuono took possession of the legendary number 10 jersey of the Argentina National Team, a decision made due to the announced departure of Lionel Messi and the last-minute absence of Thiago Almada for the match against Ecuador in the Qualifiers.

Although it was expected that Guayo would once again take part and wear the jersey that both Messi and Diego Maradona made iconic, the Atletico Madrid striker was ruled out of the match due to physical discomfort. In the obligation that it be used, the honor went to the jewel of Real Madrid, who turned 18 just a few weeks ago.

If he gets to play, this would be only his third match with the national team, having debuted against Chile and started against Venezuela a few days ago at the Monumental. All matches during the Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

Despite his young age, the native of Azul is no stranger to wearing the iconic jersey with the Albiceleste, having worn it during a friendly match of the Argentina U-20 National Team, but not in official matches as that honor was for Claudio "Diablito" Echeverri in the 2025 South American Championship, his only official tournament so far.

In a friendly with the U-20, Mastantuono wears the 10 of the Argentina National Team.

Interestingly, José Pekerman pointed him out shortly before defeating Venezuela as Lionel Messi's successor, which gains even more strength with this great vote of confidence from Scaloni: "He is going to make history and is beginning to make us understand this other stage. Maybe he is the one we are talking about: the team has to be organized, but he is the one who will make us win", he affirmed in a conversation with DSports Radio.

The players who wore the 10 of the Argentina National Team in the absence of Messi

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain player made his debut with the Senior team in 2005, but took possession of the 10 on March 29, 2009, in the 4-0 victory over Venezuela. From that moment, it belongs to him. Except, of course, the times he was not there. Review the 16 footballers who borrowed his insignia.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.