Messi became synonymous with the No. 10 jersey, mirroring the legacy of Argentina’s hero Diego Maradona, as he showcased his brilliance in it for both the national team and Barcelona.
Upon his arrival at PSG, Messi encountered a situation where his teammate Neymar had already claimed the No. 10, compelling Messi to choose a different number. Ultimately, he decided on the number 30, a choice rooted in his sentimental attachment to the same number from his early years in the Barcelona first team, spanning his two years in the French capital.
Despite his adaptation to the new number, Zinedine Zidane, the former France and Real Madrid legend, expressed a sentiment widely shared by fans, stating that everyone wants to witness the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner don the iconic No. 10 shirt.
In a conversation with Zidane for Adidas, Messi acknowledged the special significance of the No. 10 shirt, noting its enduring importance even though it might not hold the same prominence as before.
Reflecting on his time in Paris, Messi admitted to missing “his number” and the familiarity it brought, considering he had worn it throughout his illustrious career in Barcelona and with the national team.
Nevertheless, he adjusted to wearing the No. 30, a number that held its own significance as it marked the beginning of his professional journey.
Zidane responded by emphasizing that, for many, the allure of seeing Messi adorned in the No. 10 jersey remains strong. Messi, now back wearing the No. 10 shirt after joining Inter Miami, is set to showcase it in a special match against New York City this weekend, commemorating his eighth Ballon d’Or triumph.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini
This season he played in total 6 times for 372 minutes for Major League Soccer.
Lionel Messi scored 1 goal for Inter Miami. He procured two assists. He received no yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 14th in Major League Soccer. In the last match Inter Miami lost 1-0 against Charlotte.
Inter Miami performance and stats
Inter Miami is currently 14th in the Major League Soccer with 34 points.
In the last 34 games, it has won 9 times, drawn 7 times, and lost 18 times. In its last match, Inter Miami lost 1-0 against Charlotte.
It has a negative goal difference after scoring 41 goals and conceding 54.