Argentina to Honor Lionel Messi with Tribute During Matches

A Special Tribute for Messi

This weekend, all football matches in Argentina will observe a moment of silence in the 10th minute, dedicating a minute of applause to Lionel Messi, as announced by the Argentine Football Association (AFA). This gesture follows Messi's recent retirement from international football.

The tribute will take place across both men's and women's divisions, with stadiums that have screens required to show an AFA video prior to the matches. The AFA stated, "For the upcoming matchday, all games will pause in the 10th minute of the first half for a minute of applause in honor of Lionel Messi's contributions to the national team."

This tribute is particularly significant as it corresponds to Messi's iconic No. 10 jersey, which he has donned for most of his career with Argentina.

Messi's Retirement Announcement

On Monday, Messi announced his retirement from the national team, concluding a remarkable international career that began with his debut in 2005. He holds the record as Argentina's most-capped player and its all-time leading scorer, having led the team to three major international titles.

In his Instagram post, Messi expressed, "After reflecting on the time since the final, I want to announce that I am retiring from the national team. This decision has been painful, but I believe this is the right moment. I assure you that I always gave my all, not just in the recent years when we achieved success, but throughout my entire career, striving to bring joy and pride to Argentines through soccer."

Messi's Remarkable Achievements

The 39-year-old's journey with Argentina was marked by both challenges and triumphs. After facing disappointment in the 2014 World Cup final against Germany and the 2016 Copa America final against Chile, Messi finally helped Argentina secure the 2021 Copa America, ending a 28-year trophy drought.

He then led the team to victory in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, scoring twice in the final against France and successfully converting a penalty in the shootout, resulting in a 4-2 win after a 3-3 draw in extra time.

Argentina also retained the Copa America title in 2024, adding to Messi's impressive international accolades. His World Cup journey spanned six tournaments from 2006 to 2026, during which he scored 21 goals in 34 matches. Notably, at the 2026 World Cup, he netted eight goals and provided four assists, including his first World Cup hat-trick against Algeria.

Despite stepping back from international play, Messi will continue his club career with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.