Ronaldinho tells Barcelona what to do to number 10 when Messi retires

Former Barcelona forward and Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho has told Barcelona and Messi what to do with the number 10 jersey when the Argentine retires or leaves the club at the end of his career.

Ronaldinho wore the number 10 jersey while playing for Barcelona between 2003 to 2008. Messi first wore number 31 and 19 before Ronaldinho left for AC Milan in 2008 and Messi took over the number 10 and has made it his since then.

Ronaldinho has now advised Messi to stay and for Barcelona to retire the jersey number. “He must stay, he is the history of Barca. When Messi retires, which I hope will be in a long time, he can leave the number 10 there and nobody will touch it again.” he said.

Messi is close to renewing his contract at Barcelona but is being held up by the club having to free up some high wage earners to comply with La Liga's strict financial fair play compliance.