Why does Lionel Messi wear number 10?

The start at FC Barcelona – Jersey number 30

Lionel Messi debuted in 2004 in the FC Barcelona jersey under coach Frank Rijkaard. The young Argentinian then wore jersey number 30. This choice was not random: Messi deliberately chose number 30 to honor his friends and mentors Deco (20) and Ronaldinho (10); together their numbers form 30 (20 + 10 = 30).

With this jersey number, the 17-year-old Messi made his first minutes at Camp Nou. It soon became clear that he possessed exceptional qualities. His speed, technique, and modesty made him beloved by teammates and fans.

Breakthrough with jersey number 19

When Messi officially became part of the first team, he received jersey number 19. With this number, he definitively broke through at the highest level.

One of his most memorable moments with number 19 was his hat-trick in El Clásico against Real Madrid, a match that definitively confirmed his status as a super talent.
Messi quickly grew into a key player in a team full of stars, with Ronaldinho as his great mentor.

The takeover of the legendary number 10

In 2008, Ronaldinho left for AC Milan, which freed up jersey number 10 at Barcelona. The club did not hesitate for a moment: the number went to Lionel Messi.

From that moment on, an era of unprecedented success began:

• 10 La Liga titles

• 4 Champions League titles

• 6 Ballon d’Ors during his Barcelona period

• More than 670 goals for FC Barcelona

Jersey number 10 at Barcelona became synonymous with genius, loyalty, and pure football poetry. Messi wore this number until his departure in 2021, when Barcelona could not extend his contract due to financial problems.

Paris Saint-Germain – Back to jersey number 30

In 2021, Messi moved to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). His good friend Neymar Jr. already wore number 10 there, and Messi did not want to take that number from him.
Therefore, he chose jersey number 30 again, the same number he wore during his debut at Barcelona.

At PSG, Messi won:

• Two Ligue 1 titles

• Trophée des Champions
  But despite some beautiful moments, his time in Paris did not feel like home. After two seasons, he decided to take on a new challenge.

Inter Miami – A new chapter with number 10

In 2023, Lionel Messi made the switch to Inter Miami, David Beckham's American club. There he got his familiar number 10 back.

With this jersey number, he immediately led Inter Miami to the Leagues Cup 2023, the first major prize in the club's history.
Messi's arrival not only changed the club but also American football; stadiums are full, jerseys are flying off the shelves, and his influence is visible everywhere.

Messi has since extended his contract with Inter Miami, and fans hope he will continue to shine for years to come with his familiar number 10 football shirt in the MLS.

Messi’s jersey numbers for Argentina

The beginning – Number 18

Messi’s first international success came in 2005, when he won the U20 World Cup in the Netherlands with jersey number 18. During that tournament, he even played in the FC Emmen stadium, a special detail for Dutch fans.

Debut with the national team – Number 19

Messi made his debut in the Argentine national team later that same year with jersey number 19. Number 10 was then still held by playmaker Juan Román Riquelme, a legend in Argentina.

The takeover of number 10

When Riquelme retired from international football in 2008, Messi was assigned number 10.
From that moment on, he became the leader of his generation.

With number 10 on his back, he led Argentina to:

• Copa América 2021
  

• 2022 World Cup in Qatar

• Copa América 2024

The image of Messi with the World Cup in his hands, with jersey number 10 on his back, is one of the most iconic moments in football history.

Overview: Lionel Messi’s jersey numbers