Argentinian Player Who Wore Lionel Messi’s No. 10 Reportedly Set to Miss World Cup

Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Argentinian Player Who Wore Lionel Messi’s No. 10 Reportedly Set to Miss World Cup

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kevin Binoy | Last updated May 28, 2026 2:45 PM ET

Lionel Scaloni appears ready to make another tough call as the Argentina national team finalizes its FIFA World Cup squad. One of the young players who wore Lionel Messi’s famous No. 10 shirt during qualifying is reportedly now in danger of missing the tournament altogether.

With Messi expected to reclaim his iconic number on the biggest stage, the decision adds another interesting layer to Argentina’s squad selection as Scaloni balances loyalty, form, and competition for places.

The youngster being talked about here is none other than Franco Mastantuono whose World Cup hopes are suddenly looking far less certain according to Gaston Edul who shared the news on X. This is especially notable because he recently had a very symbolic moment with Argentina.

Franco Mastantuono no va a la Copa del Mundo con Argentina. pic.twitter.com/L4Thfq5DPn
— Gastón Edul (@gastonedul) May 28, 2026

During World Cup qualifying, Lionel Messi did not travel for one of Argentina’s matches, and Thiago Almada was also unavailable. That left the famous No. 10 shirt open, and Mastantuono was the player who ended up wearing it.

For an 18-year-old, putting on the number associated with Messi and Diego Maradona was a huge sign of trust and a moment that naturally raised expectations around his future with the national team.

Lionel Scaloni Has a Few Tough Calls to Make

Mastantuono is reportedly fully fit and has impressed within the Argentina setup, but the competition for attacking places is intense. Lionel Scaloni has several experienced options to choose from, and with Argentina defending their title, every squad place has to serve a clear purpose.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni looks on from the sideline before the game against Venezuela at Hard Rock Stadium.Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

That leaves Mastantuono in a difficult position. He is talented, highly rated, and clearly part of Argentina’s long-term plans, but he may still be squeezed out of the final squad.

For now, the teenager is waiting on Scaloni’s final decision. A call-up would continue his rapid rise, but missing out would show just how ruthless Argentina’s selection process has become.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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