Argentina’s top flight will honour Lionel Messi this weekend after the country’s football association announced plans to pause every league match in the 10th minute for a minute of applause.
The tribute follows Messi’s decision to retire from international football on Monday. The 39 year old wore Argentina’s iconic number 10 shirt throughout his career and captained the team to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022.
Messi’s final appearance for Argentina came at the 2026 World Cup. Spain defeated the Albiceleste in the final in July, bringing an end to the forward’s remarkable international career.
“In tribute and homage to Lionel Messi’s career with the Argentina national team, at the 10th minute of play in all matches the referees will stop the game and a general minute of applause will be held,” the Argentine Football Association said.
“We look forward to seeing you on the fields – join us in this recognition!”
Messi leaves a historic international legacy
Messi holds Argentina’s record for international appearances with 207 caps. He also leads the nation’s scoring charts with 125 goals after making his debut in 2005.
The former Barcelona forward first retired from international football in 2016. He made that decision after Argentina lost the Copa America final to Chile on penalties.
Messi missed his penalty in the shootout as Argentina suffered their fourth major final defeat in nine years. However, he later reversed his decision and returned to the national team.
That comeback produced the greatest successes of his international career. Messi helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup and two Copa America titles while establishing himself as one of the most decorated players in international football.
Messi made his Argentina debut as a 63rd minute substitute in a 2 1 friendly victory over Hungary. Since then, he has gone on to become the country’s most capped player and leading goalscorer.
His journey began in Argentina before he moved to Barcelona’s La Masia academy at the age of 13. Despite his roots in the country, Messi has never played senior club football in Argentina.
The legendary forward also ranks second on the all time World Cup scoring list with 21 goals. Kylian Mbappe leads that chart with 22, while Messi sits second among all international goalscorers behind Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 146.
Messi’s future had also come under discussion after the death of his father, Jorge, in August. Jorge Messi died aged 68 following a long illness, and the loss prompted his son to consider his future in football.
When Messi announced his international retirement, he said his father’s death left him “even more convinced than before” that he had made the right decision.
Although his Argentina career has ended, Messi will continue playing club football. The eight time Ballon d’Or winner remains with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer and has a contract that runs until the end of the 2028 season.
