Argentina U-17 Captain Happy To Wear Number 10 Lionel Messi

Claudio Echeverri wears the number 10 jersey like Lionel Messi (doc. FIFA).

JAKARTA The Argentina U-17 captain, Claudio Echeverri, said he was happy to have the same back number as his senior, Lionel Messi.

He conveyed this after leading La Albiceleste to play the last match of Group D of the 2023 U-17 World Cup at the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) on Friday, November 17, 2023.

"Wearing the same costume as Messi is really special. Moreover, Messi is an example for all of us young players in Argentina," he told the media crew at the mixed zone.

"He is a hero, an idol. I am very happy to be able to wear this uniform and be captain and represent Argentina U-17," added the player who defended the River Plate academy.

Echeverri continued that he did not feel pressured at all even wearing the same back number as one of the best players in the world today.

"I don't feel any pressure at all. I really enjoyed it by wearing this uniform and playing football," he said.

The 17-year-old player is dubbed the Little Devils and is predicted to be the La Pulga successor, Messi's nickname. He is even included in The Guardian's 60 best young talents in 2023.

The treatment was born thanks to the abilities possessed by the player on the field. He is a player who is difficult to stop and very agile even though he has a small stature.