Argentina has officially entered a new World Cup cycle targeting the 2030 tournament, stepping onto the pitch for the first time in two decades without Lionel Messi as part of the active squad planning, as reported by infobae.com and as.com. Amid this generational turnover managed by head coach Lionel Scaloni, 22-year-old Como midfielder Nico Paz has emerged as a leading candidate among supporters to inherit the iconic number 10 shirt, drawing widespread comparisons to Messi after standout performances in recent friendlies.
The transition marks a critical juncture for the team as they build a new core of young talent alongside established veterans. While supporters weigh options across the roster, Paz’s recent displays against Bolivia and Burkina Faso have firmly established him as a central figure in the team’s immediate and long-term plans.
Supporters Rally Behind Nico Paz as the Successor to the Number 10
During Argentina’s dominant friendly victories—including a 7-0 rout of Burkina Faso at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires—fans voiced a preference for Paz to take over the historic squad number, according to infobae.com. Supporters surveyed outside the stadium pointed to his exceptional ball control, spatial awareness, and attacking instincts as reasons for the backing. One fan told infobae.com that Paz “deserves the 10 because he is the profile most similar to Messi,” while another praised his ability to break down defenses in tight spaces.
Paz capitalized on his recent opportunities with a pair of goals across consecutive matches, scoring against Bolivia in Córdoba and finding the back of the net against Burkina Faso with a precise finish through the goalkeeper’s legs. Formed in Real Madrid’s youth academy before moving to Italian club Como, the 22-year-old has translated his club form into international impact, becoming the first player of his generation to secure a consistent role under Scaloni, as.com reported.
Rising Talents Expand Scaloni’s Selection Options in Buenos Aires
Alongside Paz, several other teenagers and young prospects caught the attention of the coaching staff and the Monumental crowd during the fixtures. River Plate midfielder Franco Mastantuono delivered a strong performance and scored his first international goal for the senior side, per infobae.com records. Mastantuono holds the distinction of being the only player in the current setup to have previously worn the number 10 shirt in an official match, having donned the jersey at 18 years and 23 days old during a World Cup qualifying loss to Ecuador on September 25, 2025.
Boca Juniors youth product Leonel Flores also generated significant applause from the stands with his confident dribbling and energetic play in the final third. When asked about the pressure surrounding the famous jersey number in the mixed zone, Flores maintained a grounded perspective, telling reporters that he is simply happy wearing any shirt for the national team. Other young names mentioned by observers as potential future contributors to Scaloni’s squad include Perrone, Prestianni, Soulé, Valentín Barco, and Flores.
Veterans Provide Stability as Argentina Navigates Its Sweet Transition
While the emergence of youth injects fresh energy into the squad, Scaloni continues to rely on core veterans to maintain stability on the pitch. Established figures such as goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, defender Cristian Romero, midfielder Enzo Fernández, forward Julián Álvarez, and Lisandro Martínez remain central to the team’s competitive identity. In fan surveys conducted by infobae.com, midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández, alongside Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martínez, also received strong support from supporters as natural leaders for the team’s spine.
Scaloni faces the challenge of managing what is termed a “sweet transition”—a generational handover designed to avoid the prolonged periods of uncertainty that typically afflict national teams after the retirement of a generational superstar. With Scaloni widely expected to continue leading the technical staff, the coaching staff’s immediate focus turns to integrating the new wave of talent into high-level competitive fixtures ahead of the 2030 qualifiers.
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