Andre Villas-Boas says FIFA should retire the No 10 shirt as a tribute to Diego

On Nov 26, 2020

Marseille boss Andre Villas-Boas says FIFA should retire the No 10 shirt for EVERY football team as a tribute to Diego Maradona following the death of the Argentina hero

Football legend Diego Maradona has died aged 60 following a heart attack
Andre Villas-Boas believes FIFA should retire the No 10 shirt in a tribute to him
The Marseille boss says that no player should ever wear the number again
Villas-Boas believes it would be the best possible tribute for the Argentina hero
Lionel Messi currently wears the No 10 shirt for Barcelona and Argentina

Published: 19:47 EST, 25 November 2020 | Updated: 20:12 EST, 25 November 2020

Andre Villas-Boas believes FIFA should retire the No 10 shirt across the world of football as a tribute to Diego Maradona following the death of the Argentina legend.

Maradona passed away on Wednesday at the age of 60 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home, just two weeks after undergoing surgery for a blood clot on his brain.

Regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Maradonna has become synonymous with the No 10 jersey – which he wore when he won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986. He also donned the shirt during his spells at Napoli, Barcelona and Boca Juniors.

Andre Villas-Boas (pictured with Diego Maradona) believes FIFA should retire the No 10 shirt for all teams as a tribute to the Argentine, who died on Wednesday following a cardiac arrest

Maradona became synonymous with the No 10 jersey which he wore for both club and country

Paying tribute to the football legend, Marseille boss Villas-Boas said retiring the shirt would be the best way to honour him.

‘It is very bad news, as well as the loss of a board member [at Porto] who was really important to me, who was the first person to open the door for me to the coaching world,’ he said after his side’s 2-0 defeat to Porto in the Champions League.

‘And Maradona yes it is tough news, I would like FIFA to retire the No 10 shirt in all competitions, for all teams.

Maradona is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and helped Argentina win the World Cup in 1986

‘It would be the best homage we could do for him. He is an incredible loss for the world of football.’

Tributes flooded in following the news of Maradona’s death with Man City boss Pep Guardiola joining Lionel Messi in paying respect to the Argentine.

Guardiola described him as one of the ‘few incredible players’ in football history.

He said: ”First (I think about) Sergio. His son, Diego was his grandfather.

‘There was a banner in Argentina which says, “It doesn’t matter what you have done in your life, it matters what you have done in our lives.” Imagine what Maradona would have done in our generation (of football).

Lionel Messi, who has also worn the No 10 shirt for Barcelona and Argentina, posted a tribute on Instagram to the football legend

‘There are few incredible players in our history, he’s one of…