Argentina's Football Association has passed a new regulation that mandates young players sign professional contracts with Argentinian clubs before they can transfer to European teams. This legislation is intended to safeguard local clubs from losing promising talent to European academies without compensation. Players will be allowed to sign contracts beginning at the age of 16, thus ensuring that they maintain a connection with their home clubs even as they aspire to play internationally.

Javier Méndez Cartié, the manager for youth teams at the Argentinian Football Association, stated that the decision originated from the executive committee with a clear goal: to protect the investments made by local clubs in the development of their players from a young age. This move is particularly significant in a country where football is intertwined with national pride and identity, as seen in the case of global superstars like Lionel Messi.

The new law also has implications beyond just player contracts; it serves as a protective measure for Argentinian football and highlights the importance of nurturing local talent. However, its retrospective effect raises concerns about how it might have affected iconic players like Messi had it been implemented earlier, potentially barring him from representing the national team after his early departure from Newell's Old Boys at the age of 13 for the Barcelona academy.