Lionel Scaloni said the number 10 jersey is reserved for Lionel Messi as Argentina hold on to hope that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner will prolong his international career.
Messi's Argentina future remains uncertain after not making himself available for international friendlies against Guatemala and Colombia.
The 31-year-old is reportedly weighing up whether to continue on the international stage following Argentina's tumultuous World Cup campaign in Russia, where the South American giants lost to eventual champions France in the last 16.
Messi has dominated discussions since Scaloni replaced Jorge Sampaoli on an interim basis and it was no different on the eve of Tuesday's match against Colombia in New Jersey.