Argentine domestic matches will stop at the 10th minute this weekend so referees can lead a minute's applause for Lionel Messi, following his decision to retire from international football.
The Argentine Football Association issued the instruction and asked clubs and supporters to take part. The AFA said, "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," and added, "We look forward to seeing you on the fields - join us in this recognition!"
Messi, 39, wore Argentina's number 10 and confirmed his retirement from the national side on Monday. His last game for the national team came in July, a World Cup final defeat by Spain, after a career that included captaining Argentina to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
He leaves international football holding Argentina records, finishing as the nation's most capped player with 207 appearances and as its top scorer with 125 goals. At World Cups he scored 21 times, the second-highest total behind Kylian Mbappe on 22, and he sits second in career international goals behind Cristiano Ronaldo on 146.
Messi's first senior international appearance came in 2005, when he entered as a 63rd-minute substitute in a 2-1 friendly win over Hungary. He joined Barcelona's La Masia academy aged 13 and never played senior club football in Argentina, instead building a decorated club career and winning the Ballon d'Or eight times.
His international path included a brief retirement in 2016 after Argentina lost the Copa America final to Chile, a match in which he missed a penalty in the shootout, before he returned to the squad. He later helped Argentina claim two Copa America titles and the 2022 World Cup.
In August Messi said he was weighing his future in football after his father, Jorge, died aged 68 following a long illness. When he announced his international retirement he said he was "even more convinced than before" that he was making the right decision. He will remain a club player in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami under a contract that runs to the end of the 2028 season.
The stoppage this weekend is a symbolic, nationwide gesture that gives supporters a single, coordinated moment to mark Messi's exit from international football and to recognise the records and milestones he set while wearing Argentina's shirt.
