Messi’s Move to Miami: What Number Will He Wear?

It’s official: Lionel Messi has left Barcelona and joined Miami FC, the newest team in Major League Soccer. The Argentine superstar signed a two-year contract with the option of a third year, ending his 21-year association with the Catalan club. Messi will reportedly earn $30 million per year, making him the highest-paid player in MLS history.

But there’s one question that many fans are wondering: what number will Messi wear in Miami? The answer is not as simple as you might think.

Messi’s number history

Messi has worn the number 10 shirt for most of his career, both for Barcelona and Argentina. He inherited the iconic number from Ronaldinho in 2008, and has since made it his own. Messi has scored 672 goals and provided 305 assists in 778 games wearing the number 10 for Barcelona, winning 35 trophies along the way. He has also won six Ballon d’Or awards and six European Golden Shoes wearing the number 10.

For Argentina, Messi has worn the number 10 since 2009, after Juan Roman Riquelme retired from international football. He has scored 79 goals and provided 43 assists in 151 games wearing the number 10 for Argentina, becoming the country’s all-time leading scorer and appearance maker. He has also won the Copa America 2021 and the Olympic gold medal in 2008 wearing the number 10.

Why Messi can’t wear number 10 in Miami

However, Messi will not be able to wear his preferred number in Miami, because it is already taken by another player. Rodolfo Pizarro, a Mexican midfielder who joined Miami FC in 2020, is the current owner of the number 10 shirt. Pizarro is a key player for Miami FC, scoring six goals and providing four assists in 32 games so far. He is also a regular for the Mexico national team, having played in two World Cups and three Gold Cups.

According to MLS rules, players can only change their numbers during the offseason, unless they have a special permission from the league. Pizarro has said that he is willing to give up his number 10 shirt for Messi, but only if he gets something in return. “I would have to talk to him first and he would have to give me something,” Pizarro told ESPN. “Maybe his house in Barcelona or his car.”

What number will Messi wear in Miami?

So what number will Messi wear in Miami? There are several possibilities, depending on his personal preference and availability. Here are some of the options:

– Number 19: This is the number that Messi wore when he made his debut for Barcelona in 2004, and also when he won his first Ballon d’Or in 2009. It is currently vacant in Miami FC, so Messi could reclaim it as a tribute to his early days.

– Number 30: This is the number that Messi wore when he played for Barcelona’s youth teams, and also when he scored his first goal for the senior team in 2005. It is also vacant in Miami FC, so Messi could choose it as a reminder of his roots.

– Number 32: This is the number that Messi wore when he played for Argentina’s under-20 team, and also when he won the FIFA World Youth Championship in 2005. It is currently worn by Jay Chapman, a Canadian midfielder who joined Miami FC in 2020. Chapman has only played nine games for Miami FC so far, so he might be willing to give up his number for Messi.

– Number 33: This is a random number that Messi could pick if he wants to start fresh in Miami. It is also vacant in Miami FC, so Messi could have it without any hassle.

– Number 99: This is a bold number that Messi could choose if he wants to make a statement in Miami. It is also vacant in Miami FC, so Messi could have it without any problem. It would also match his age when he retires from football (just kidding).

Where to buy Messi’s jersey in Miami

No matter what number Messi wears in Miami, you can be sure that his jersey will be a hot item among fans. If you want to get your hands on one of them, you can visit Eletees, the official online store of Miami FC. Eletees offers a wide range of Miami FC merchandise, including jerseys, shirts, hats, scarves, and more. You can also customize your jersey with your name and number, or choose from the available players.

Order here: https://eletees.com/product/inter-miami-cf-2023-home-jersey-lionel-messi/

Order here: https://eletees.com/product/inter-miami-cf-black-2023-messi-jersey/

Eletees is the best place to buy Messi’s jersey in Miami, because it offers fast and free shipping, secure payment, and excellent customer service. You can also enjoy discounts and promotions when you sign up for their newsletter or follow them on social media. Don’t miss this opportunity to support Messi and Miami FC in style. Visit Eletees today and order your Messi jersey before they run out of stock!