Eventually, someone will wear the No. 10 for Argentina again after Lionel Messi plays his last game for the national team. Who it will be -- and when it will happen -- is a question manager Lionel Scaloni is in no rush to answer. With the iconic No. 10 jersey unassigned, Argentina will face their first test of the post-Messi era when they host Bolivia in a friendly on Wednesday.

As the 39-year-old legend gets set for his farewell match with Argentina next week -- in a match against Benin at Monumental -- coach Lionel Scaloni is already looking toward the future. "We'll find a way to play differently," he said. "That's what these matches are for -- to experiment." Scaloni has opted to field strikers Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez together up front, a tactical combination he had previously avoided.

Scaloni confirmed no player will wear No. 10 for now. "We aren't obligated to assign it for these matches, so we won't give it to anyone until Leo's farewell game," the coach said. Messi's farewell match is Oct. 6 against Benin in Buenos Aires. He concludes his national team career as Argentina's all-time leading scorer with 125 goals.

Scaloni is reportedly close to renewing his contract, which expires on Dec. 31. He recently met with Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia to negotiate an extension through the 2030 World Cup. "We will always compete -- I am certain of that -- which is why I decided to stay," Scaloni said.