It is hard to imagine a world in which Lionel Messi does not play for Barcelona, but that is very much set to be reality.
News of Messi leaving his beloved Barcelona due to contract disagreements came as a shock, with the Argentine now having agreed a two-year contract with French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
After embodying the No.10 shirt at Camp Nou for so long, Messi will wear No.30 when he takes to the pitch for PSG.
Why is Messi wearing No.30 at PSG?
Messi will wear the No.30 shirt at PSG which is the number he wore at Barcelona when he first broke into the senior team as a youngster.
Lionel Messi's first-ever Barcelona shirt number: 3️⃣0️⃣
— Goal (@goal) August 10, 2021
Lionel Messi's first-ever PSG shirt number: 3️⃣0️⃣ pic.twitter.com/zGhCnEE3Lr
Messi said: “I am excited to begin a new chapter of my career at Paris Saint-Germain. Everything about the club matches my football ambitions.
"I know how talented the squad and the coaching staff are here. I am determined to help build something special for the club and the fans, and I am looking forward to stepping out onto the pitch at the Parc des Princes.”
The No.10 is currently being occupied by Messi's friend and ex-Barcelona team-mate Neymar, and even though reports stated that the Brazilian had even gone as far as offering his shirt to the Argentine, Messi declined the gesture.
Messi wore that number for two seasons until 2006-07, when he then donned the No.19 jersey that was left open by Fernando Navarro.
Lionel Messi arrives in Paris! 🇫🇷
— Goal (@goal) August 10, 2021
🎥 @LeMechenoua pic.twitter.com/m6gDd7dKYd
Messi had also worn the No.19 jersey in his younger days playing for the Argentina national team, and if he hadn't signed with No.30, he probably would have taken No.19.
It wasn't until 2008 that Messi inherited the iconic Barcelona No.10 shirt from idol and team-mate Ronaldinho, upon his leaving for AC Milan.
Will Barcelona retire the No.10 shirt after Messi?
It was Ronaldinho's shoes that Messi had to fill when the legendary Brazilian departed in 2008, and it's safe to say that Messi went above and beyond.
Ronaldinho himself insisted the Liga side should not allow another player to wear the No.10 after Messi - albeit he said this with retirement in mind, not in the event of Messi signing for another European side.
"When Messi retires, which I hope will be a long time from now, they should leave the No.10 there so that nobody can touch it again," he said in 2018.
