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LIONEL MESSI PSG Getty Images
Nick Khairi

Why does Messi wear No. 30 at PSG?

L. Messi
Paris Saint-Germain
Neymar
Barcelona
LaLiga
Ligue 1

He normally wears No. 10, so why is the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner sporting a different number in France?

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Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

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There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save around 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 67%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for five days in 150+ destinations.

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Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's entry-level Basic plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

The VPN can be applied across 10 different devices simultaneously, and offers Lite Protection that blocks ads and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.

Additionally, ExpressVPN's Basic plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 10MB/month private email relay plus 10 shared aliases.

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 80%.

Over 28 monthsSave 80%
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Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

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Lionel Messi dons an unfamiliar number - No. 30 - at Paris Saint-Germain, despite becoming synonymous with the No. 10 for both Barcelona and Argentina for over a decade.

There were reports that friend and team-mate Neymar had offered Messi the chance to wear No. 10, but he is said to have turned down the offer.

Instead, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner took a number which was already available, but why did he go for No. 30? GOAL takes a look.

Why does Lionel Messi wear No. 30 at PSG?

Lionel Messi debuted and scored his first ever professional senior goal with the No. 30 on his Barcelona jersey, so the number has sentimental significance to him. 

In the 82nd minute of a derby match between Barcelona and Espanyol in 2004, a 17-year-old Messi would come on in place of Deco, where he displayed a promising cameo for the Camp Nou faithful. 

Next matches
LEH

LEH

Ligue 1

30 Oct 2026

PSG

PSG

BAR

BAR

LaLiga

31 Oct 2026

ALA

ALA

Messi went on to wear the No. 30 for his first two seasons in the Barcelona first team, in 2004-05 & 2005-06, making 34 appearances and scoring 9 goals. 

He also took on the No. 19 for the two seasons which followed, before eventually inheriting the iconic No. 10 from Ronaldinho. 

Has Lionel Messi worn No. 10 at PSG?

Those not familiar with Coupe de France traditions may be surprised to learn that Messi did indeed sport the No. 10 for PSG. 

The Coupe de France maintains a tradition where, once you reach the knockout stages of the competition, the starting players must only wear numbers 1-11. 

And so, in January 2022, in a round of 16 tie between PSG and Nice, Messi was given the No. 10 shirt, a number usually occupied by Neymar, as he started the game while the Brazilian was absent.

However it was not to be a happy return for Messi to his notorious No. 10 shirt, as PSG crashed out of the competition, losing 6-5 on penalties.

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