Argentina 2004-2005 Home Shirt - Messi No.18 (S)
Argentina 2004-2005 Home Shirt - Messi No.18 (S)
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Ce maillot n'existe qu'en un seul exemplaire à l'Atelier. Une fois vendu, il ne revient jamais — plus de 1 300 pièces sont déjà parties.
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Shipped within 24/48h
From France
14-day returns
If unworn
📐 Flat measurements
| Width (pit to pit) | 53 cm |
| Length (shoulder to hem) | 70 cm |
The tip that prevents returns: lay flat a shirt that fits you well, measure it the same way and compare. Vintage often fits differently from new — this 2004 adidas S is wider than a modern S (53 cm) but short in length.
Shirt condition
Good condition — stains disclosed
Let me be direct: this shirt has several small yellowish stains spread across the back, and I photographed them in macro across four images (6, 7, 8 and 9) rather than hiding them behind a wide shot. They are individual specks, scattered rather than grouped into one large mark, and they show up mainly close up on the white stripes. A 2004 shirt that has lived.
On the other hand, and this is what matters most on a piece like this: the printing is in perfect condition. The MESSI No.18 on the back, the 18 on the chest and the embroidered AFA crest are immaculate, with no cracking or lifting (photos 3 and 5). No holes, no tears, fabric intact, collar not stretched.
| Size | S (adult) |
| Manufacturer | adidas (mesh side panels, production 02/04) |
| Season | 2004-2005 (Messi's first years with Argentina) |
| Version | Home — sky blue and white stripes, number on the chest |
| Nameset | MESSI No.18 (period adidas dotted font) |
| Crest | Embroidered AFA with two stars (1978 and 1986) |
| Auth. code | 645789 — independently verifiable |
Unsure about the size? Check my vintage football shirt sizing guide.
📖 The number from before the legend
Everyone knows Messi's 10. Far fewer people remember that he started out with Argentina wearing the 18. This shirt belongs to that moment: the Argentina from before, when a promising kid from Rosario had not yet won anything with his national team.
📅 17 August 2005 — a debut that lasted two minutes. Messi came on for his first Argentina cap, in a friendly against Hungary in Budapest. He was sent off after roughly two minutes. The most improbable start to the greatest career in modern football.
📅 2006 — the 18 goes to the World Cup. In Germany, Messi still wore No.18 for Argentina and became the youngest Argentine to play in a World Cup, scoring against Serbia and Montenegro. The 10 came later, after the Riquelme era.
📅 Two stars, not three. This shirt's AFA crest carries the two stars of 1978 and 1986. The third arrived in Qatar in December 2022, with Messi as captain. This shirt is literally the Argentina from before the third title.
👑 Lionel Messi — Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer, 2022 World Cup winner and 2021 Copa América winner. Pieces from his early international years are among the hardest on the market to source: they were produced in small quantities, at a time when nobody yet imagined what he would become.
👉 To explore this era: my vintage Argentina shirts, my Messi collection and my 2000s retro shirts.
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On authenticity
🎯 Who is this shirt for?
← Scroll →
01
The Messi collector
An Argentina shirt printed “MESSI 18” with two stars: the hardest period of his entire career to find. The stains are the entry price.
02
Anyone who frames shirts
The stains are on the back, the printing is perfect: framed front-facing, this shirt is faultless. That is the best possible use for this piece.
03
The 2000s purist
Fine graded stripes, mesh side panels, number on the chest, dotted font: all of adidas's mid-2000s DNA is here.
04
The Albiceleste supporter
You lived through 2021 and 2022. This shirt tells the story of the years of waiting that came before, when Argentina had only two stars.
Not sure? My Mystery Box offer is a great alternative — just add “Argentina / Messi” in the order notes.
❓ Frequently asked questions about this shirt
Where exactly are the stains?
They are all on the back and the sides of the back, never on the front. They are several small individual yellowish stains, scattered. I photographed them from four different angles (photos 6 to 9), in macro, so you can see exactly what you are buying. The front and the printing are clean.
Is the shirt 100% authentic?
Yes, and you can verify it: the original adidas label is photographed (photo 4) with product code 645789 and the date 02/04. Embroidered two-star AFA crest, period adidas nameset font, number on the chest. Lifetime authenticity guarantee.
Why does Messi wear 18 rather than 10?
Because when he broke into the national team, Argentina's No.10 belonged to Juan Román Riquelme. Messi wore 18 for his first caps and through the 2006 World Cup. That is exactly what makes this nameset rare: the window in which it was possible is very short.
How does this adidas shirt fit in size S?
Actual flat measurements: 53 cm pit to pit, 70 cm in length. Mid-2000s adidas cuts are wider and shorter than today's: this S is close to a modern M in width, but stays short. More benchmarks in my sizing guide.
Is there only one of these?
Yes. Every shirt I sell is a single piece, photographed exactly as it is, flaws included. On a reference this old I cannot replace it: once this one is gone, that is it.
How much is shipping and how long does it take?
Dispatched within 48 working hours with tracked Colissimo delivery (€5.99 in mainland France, free from €100). International rates and delivery times are detailed in my shipping FAQ. Returns accepted within 14 days if unworn.
Authenticated by Matthieu
Authentication expert, founder of Pure Football Shirts. 5,000+ shirts authenticated, 1,100 5★ Vinted reviews. My story →
🔗 Similar gems
- → See all my Argentina shirts
- → My Lionel Messi collection
- → My 2000s retro shirts
- → My Gems & Collectors
- → Try your luck with a Mystery Box
Authentifié à la main
Certificat d'authenticité disponible
Expédié sous 24-48 h
Offert en France dès 80 € · suivi inclus
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Pièce unique
Un seul exemplaire — il ne reviendra pas
✦ Preuve sociale authentique ✦
VINTED COMMUNITY REVIEWS
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"Great buyer, good communication. Would recommend"
"Tout est absolument parfait, le vendeur est très sympa et répond aux questions posées. La qualité des produits est conforme à la description. Je recommande vivement"
"Commande envoyée très rapidement, vendeur fort sympathique, et colis très bien emballé. Le maillot est parfait. Je recommande fortement."
"Vendeur très professionnel et réactif ! Article reçu en super état avec un état de flocage neuf, Je recommande"
"PARFAIT, Conforme à la description, Je recommande, au TOP 👌🏽 MERCI 🤗"
"Livraison rapide, et article conforme. Réponse très rapide et sérieux 👍"
"Article parfait, envoi rapide et échanges agréables. Je recommande !"
"Excellent vendeur !! Vraiment parfait !! 20/20"
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"Parfait bon échange et maillot de bonne qualité merci à vous 👌"
"Rapide, efficace, de très beau tee-shirt disponible rien à dire"
"tutto bene, buona trattativa e ottimi articoli. grazie!!"
"Excelente trato y excelente calidad"
"super conversation personne honnête respectueux de la qualité des produits vendu"
"Rien à dire ! Tout s'est très bien passé ! Merci encore !"
"Snelle en hele goede communicatie Echte aanrader!"
"Excellent vendeur !! Vraiment parfait !! 20/20"
"Todo genial !!! Recomiendo 100%"
"Snelle verzending en perfecte staat"
"Tutto perfetto! Grazie"
"Super client très agréable et poli"
"mon fils est content du maillot de foot parfait"
"Excellente transaction, merci pour votre achat ! 🙂"
"Hat alles reibungslos geklappt"
"Great buyer, good communication. Would recommend"
