Lionel Messi has followed in the footsteps of Diego Maradona as Barcelona and Argentina’s No.10 – but the son of the late superstar wants the number retired at his former teams in his honour.
Diego Maradona’s son has called on Lionel Messi to give up the No.10 shirt as a tribute to his father after his death.
Maradona died last week aged 60 at his home in Argentina with heartfelt tributes pouring in from around the football world.
Former Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas raised eyebrows on the night of Maradona’s death when, after a win for his side Marseille, he suggested the No.10 be retired from all football by FIFA.
And whilst such a move looks unlikely, one of Maradona’s sons believes his former clubs should adopt the tribute.
Diego Armando Maradona Sinagra, born in Napoli as a result of an affair between the Argentinian superstar and his mother, was asked whether the No.10 shirt should be retired in his honour.
That would mean Messi giving up his iconic No.10 shirt he has worn for both Barcelona and Argentina and drawn comparisons with Maradona.
Messi paid an emotional tribute to Maradona after his goal at the weekend, removing his shirt to unveil a Newell’s Old Boys shirt and recreating Maradona’s celebration from his debut goal for the club.
Messi watched on from the stands as a kid as Maradona opened his account for Newell’s Old Boys as a teenager, and Maradona’s son stated he liked the tribute “a lot”.
