The Argentine Football Association is stopping every match across all divisions of Argentine football in the 10th minute to honor Lionel Messi’s retirement from the national team

The Argentine Football Association has decided that all matches scheduled this weekend in the men’s and women’s leagues, regardless of division or discipline, will be interrupted in the 10th minute of the first half. For one minute, players and spectators will pay tribute to Lionel Messi following his retirement from Argentina’s national team.

Stadiums equipped with video screens will broadcast a feature dedicated to the footballer’s international career before kickoff. The tribute has already begun during the Argentine Cup match between Boca Juniors and Vélez, when fans stood up to applaud the iconic wearer of the number 10 shirt.

Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, described Messi’s departure as “a huge loss” for the national team, but said the decision was understandable.

Messi has ended a two-decade international career that began in 2005. He is Argentina’s most-capped player and all-time leading goalscorer, with 203 appearances and 124 goals. His record includes the 2022 World Cup title and two Copa América trophies, won in 2021 and 2024.

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