Lionel Messi is set to be granted an exemption to one of the requirements of Ligue One.
Messi is expected to join Paris Saint-Germain on a 2 years agreement, with a projected annual salary of €25 million, after completing a 21-year connection with his adored Barcelona.
Messi was expected to take the No.19 shirt at PSG after politely declining the invitation of his best friend and former colleague Neymar to take over the No.10 shirt he now wears.
PSG has reportedly given Messi the No.30 shirt, which is "expected to be picked" by the six-time Ballon d'Or winner, according to MARCA.
Messi debuted for Barcelona with the number 30 on his shirt, moved to No.19 in 2k6, and then stepped up a level with the number 10 after Ronaldinho left 2 years later.
Image Credit: PAThe No.30 must be kept for goalkeepers according to Ligue One regulations, but it's been stated that there will be no problem doing so for perhaps the best footballer in world football.
Gianluigi Donnarumma, who joined on a free agent from AC Milan this season, was given the No.50 shirt since he was not permitted to wear the No.99 he wore at AC Milan.
Mario Balotelli, however, had to dress No.9 since No.45 was not permitted in Marseille and Nice.
The LFP regulation #670 reads, "The numbers 1, 16, and 30 are solely and inevitably designated for goalkeepers.
Image Credit: PA"Therefore, the No. 40 shirt can be allocated. All clubs should have a shirt with the identity 33 that is not allocated to a player and saved for broken substitutes. The LFP establishes a directory early on this season and make it accessible to judges and delegates."
Barca veteran Ronaldo de Boer, on the other hand, feels the shirt must be given to a youngster who aims to be "as excellent as Messi."
"We had that with Johan Cruyff No 14 [at Ajax]" De Boer told talkSPORT. "In another way, no, you have to constantly aspire of being just as brilliant as Messi." I believe the No 10 must always be kept alive, rather than saying, "OK, we'll put it somewhere and no one will touch it."
"I guess, Messi is Messi. [...] When I think of Messi, I thought of his football talents, not his jersey. Try giving it to a youngster who aspires to become as brilliant as Messi."
Featured Image Credit: PA