Why did Messi wear Neymar’s No. 10 for PSG?

Fans got to see Messi don his iconic No.10 jersey again on Monday night.

Lionel Messi was back in his famous No.10 jersey during Paris Saint-Germain’s round of 16 clash against Nice in the French Cup.

Naturally, the sight of No.10 – the number Neymar uses – on Messi’s back caused confusion. He had donned the No.30 shirt since his arrival from Barcelona, after all.

But there is an innocent explanation.

As part of the French Cup tradition, the 11 starting players must use the traditional 1-11 numbers. The substitutes, on the other hand, have to wear numbers below 25.

And as Neymar is out injured, the Brazilian’s number was available.

So that’s the reason Messi was occupying the No.10, instead of the No.30 shirt he chose at the start of the season, on Monday night.

Tonight’s starting 1⃣1⃣ for the Nice game!

🏆 #CDF | #PSGOGCN pic.twitter.com/YWH8R6b4nv

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) January 31, 2022

Which other starting PSG players changed numbers?

Julian Draxler: 23 to 11
Danilo Pereira: 15 to 8
Ander Herrera: 21 to 7
Nuno Mendes: 25 to 5
Thilo Kehrer: 24 to 4
Colin Dagba: 17 to 2
Gianluigi Donnarumma: 50 to 1

What happened in the match?

Despite donning the number closely associated with his Barcelona legacy, Messi couldn’t replicate his old magic to spare PSG of defeat.

The Parisians’ title defense in the French Cup came to an early and unexpected end. They drew 0-0 in the last-16 tie, before losing 6-5 on penalties to Nice.

It’s the first time PSG won’t be in the French Cup final since 2014.