Argentina will not assign the No. 10 shirt until Lionel Messi's farewell match. Manager Lionel Scaloni confirmed the decision ahead of the friendly against Bolivia.

Scaloni explained the jersey will remain vacant for the upcoming fixtures. "We aren't obligated to assign it for these matches, so we won't give it to anyone until Leo's farewell game," the coach said. He added the idea is for someone to eventually take it on given its significance, but a decision on the heir has not yet been made.

Experiments against Bolivia

Wednesday's match at the Kempes Stadium in Córdoba will serve as a testing ground. Scaloni indicated he will trial Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez together up front. In midfield, Valentín Barco is expected to slot in as a third midfielder and Nicolás Paz, currently at Italy's Como, will take on playmaking duties. In defence, Agustín Giay is set for a start at right-back.

These adjustments come with Enzo Fernández suspended. The team, coming off a final defeat to Spain in July, aims to rediscover its game without its talisman. Scaloni stated the possession-based style will remain but admitted they must "find a way to play differently."

Scaloni's future

Beyond the lineup, the manager also addressed his own continuity. His contract expires on December 31, but negotiations for an extension through the 2030 World Cup are well advanced. "The important thing is that the desire is there," Scaloni declared. After stepping back to evaluate the project, the coach said the excitement for the future and the commitment of the players convinced him to stay.

"We will always compete -- I am certain of that -- which is why I decided to stay," he stated. He highlighted that not a single player turned down a call-up for this window, a positive sign of the talent and hunger within the squad.

Competitive context

Argentina enters this renewal phase from a position of strength. They top their World Cup qualifying group with 9 points from three wins in three games. They hold a five-point lead over Austria and have scored eight goals while conceding just one. Lionel Messi, with 8 goals in 8 appearances this season, remains the cycle's top scorer.

Following the Bolivia friendly, La Albiceleste will prepare for the emotional tribute to Messi against Benin on October 6 in Buenos Aires. The forward, 39, announced the end of his international career in late August after 207 caps and 125 goals, including 21 in World Cup tournaments. Fans can follow the team's evolution and check the full squad during this transition period. The next official challenge will be the fourth round of qualifiers, with the schedule available on our fixtures page.

The original report is at ESPN Soccer