Argentine football will pause this weekend to honour Lionel Messi following his decision to retire from international football.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has announced that matches across the country will stop in the 10th minute for a one-minute applause in recognition of Messi’s outstanding career with the national team.
The tribute will cover men’s and women’s competitions, as well as other football disciplines.
The choice of the 10th minute is a symbolic gesture to Messi’s famous No. 10 shirt, which he wore throughout much of his remarkable career with Argentina.
During the tribute, players and fans will join together to applaud the 39-year-old forward and celebrate his contribution to Argentine football.
Stadiums with large screens have also been instructed to show a special video highlighting Messi’s career before matches.
Messi announced his retirement from the Argentina national team on Monday, bringing an end to a 21-year international career.
He leaves the national side as its most-capped player and leading goal scorer, with 207 appearances and 125 goals.
His time with Argentina included some of the biggest achievements in the country’s football history. Messi captained the team to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title and also helped Argentina win the Copa América in 2021 and 2024.
His final international appearance came in the 2026 World Cup final, where Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain. Messi subsequently confirmed that he would no longer represent the national team.
The one-minute applause in the 10th minute will therefore serve as a nationwide farewell to the player who made the No. 10 shirt synonymous with his name.
