Lionel Messi was back to donning the number 10 jersey once again and that too at PSG. To everyone's surprise, Messi was seen wearing Neymar's number during the round of 16 match. As one may recall ever since Messi has joined PSG in 2021, he has worn number 30, with which he debuted for Barcelona way back in 2004. The fans couldn't stop wondering as to why Messi wore number 10. So Neymar was missing from the squad due to an injury and as per the rules of Coupe de France, the players in the starting XI must wear traditional 1-11 numbers - with subs wearing numbers below 25. PSG 0-0 Nice (5-6 Penalties), French Cup 2021-22: Lionel Messi Returns As Parisians Exit Coupe de France (Watch Video Highlights).
Lionel Messi joined PSG in August 2021 and back then Neymar had even been offered number 10 from the PSG striker. But Messi politely declined the offer and chose to wear number 30. A few fans became quite nostalgic watching Messi donning number 10 once again. The pictures of Messi's number 10 jersey went viral on social media. A few of them also gave out the real reason for Messi donning number 10 jersey during the game.
Check out the tweets below:
Here is the reason why Lionel Messi is wearing No.10 Jersey for PSG vs Nice this night.
In the rules of Coupe de France, a team’s Starting XI must wear numbers 1-11 (and sub wears numbers below 25). Neymar was absent, leaving number 10 vacant for Messi to wear.#Sportlens360 pic.twitter.com/Rd1edPF95g
— Dammy Alagbe Dammydudu (@dammydudu) January 31, 2022
Another one
With Neymar injured for PSG, Lionel Messi could wear the number 10 shirt today against Nice. This via @DiarioOle. pic.twitter.com/y4QBB36mOh
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) January 31, 2022
Messi wearing number 10
Leo Messi will wear number 10 for PSG against Nice today 😍😍 pic.twitter.com/2iqCHn1CSX
— The Football Arena (@thefootyarena) January 31, 2022
Talking about the match, Lionel Messi's PSG crashed out of the French Cup after Messi's penalty was saved by goalkeeper Marcin Bulka. The Ligue 1 giants lost the match on penalties by 5-6.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 02, 2022 02:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).