Lionel Messi Diego Maradona Barcelona Newell's GFXGetty Images

Messi should vacate Barcelona No.10 shirt to honour Maradona, says World Cup winner's son

Diego Maradona's son has called for Barcelona to retire the No.10 shirt which his late father wore at the club. 

Lionel Messi is the current owner of that shirt number and the Barca superstar honoured Maradona at the weekend after scoring against Osasuna, taking off his jersey to reveal a Newell's Old Boys shirt with the No.10.

Messi's goal came just days after Maradona passed away at age 60 following a heart attack.

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Tributes have poured in from across the footballing world, with Marseille coach Andre Villas-Boas suggesting the No.10 jersey should be retired from all teams in tribute to the Argentine legend.

Maradona's son Diego Sinagra has not gone that far but has called for all of his father's former sides to retire the No.10, which could result in Messi being forced to find a new number.

Sinagra also expressed how pleased he was with Messi's gesture, as well as other tributes from Maradona's former clubs including Boca Juniors' salute to Maradona's daughter Dalma.

"I was very moved," Sinagra told Marca. "These have been very emotional days. Leo's gesture was special, very nice. It got to me a lot, it made me cry. Also that of Napoli, Gimnasia's win, what happened in Boca Juniors, where Dalma was. Many were emotional."

Asked if the No.10 should be retired, Sinagra said: "In the teams where he played, I think so, including Barcelona. I have no doubt. But all that is secondary. I am focused only on getting through this difficult battle. I hope it happens quickly, or not. I don't even know what I want to happen."

Sinagra admitted that it has been difficult to deal with his father's death, saying that losing him at a relatively young age has been especially tough to take.

"That is something that I do not accept. I cannot accept it," he said. "He had many years to enjoy with his family. That's something that I don't know if I'll ever accept. Losing him so young, life is like that.

"I am very proud of what my father left behind, for his legacy."

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