Argentina's top-flight football league will pause every match this weekend at the 10th minute for a minute of applause, honouring Lionel Messi following his retirement from international football.
The Argentine Football Association confirmed the gesture, which pays homage to the number 10 shirt Messi wore throughout his international career. The 39-year-old announced his decision to step away from the national team on Monday, bringing an end to one of the most decorated careers in the sport's history.
"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 in a statement. "We look forward to seeing you on the fields - join us in this recognition!"
Messi's final appearance for Argentina came in defeat, as the team lost the 2026 World Cup final to Spain in July. It was a bittersweet close to a career that included the ultimate triumph just years earlier, when Messi lifted the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 as captain of his country.
The forward leaves the national team as Argentina's all-time leader in appearances, having earned 207 caps. He also finishes as the country's record goalscorer, with 125 goals to his name across his international career, and he claimed the Ballon d'Or a remarkable eight times during his footballing journey.
Messi's international story was not without its twists. He first walked away from the national team in 2016, following a heartbreaking Copa America final loss to Chile in which he missed a penalty during the shootout. That defeat marked the fourth major final Argentina had lost in a nine-year span. Messi reversed that retirement decision, going on to add two Copa America titles and the World Cup to his trophy cabinet before ultimately calling time on his international career for good this week.
His journey with the Albiceleste began in 2005, when he made his debut as a 63rd-minute substitute in a 2-1 friendly victory over Hungary. Despite being a product of Argentine football, Messi never played senior club football in his homeland, having left for Barcelona's La Masia academy at just 13 years old. He would go on to become one of the most celebrated players in Barcelona's history before eventually moving to Major League Soccer.
In terms of historical scoring records, Messi ranks second on the all-time World Cup goalscoring list with 21 goals, trailing only France's Kylian Mbappe, who has scored 22. In overall international goals, Messi sits second globally with 125, behind his longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, who has scored 146.
The timing of Messi's retirement follows a difficult period for the player personally. In August, he revealed he was reconsidering his footballing future following the death of his father, Jorge, who passed away at 68 after a lengthy illness. When announcing his international retirement, Messi reflected on how his father's death had strengthened his resolve. He said he felt "even more convinced than before" that stepping away from the national team was the right decision.
While his international career has now concluded, Messi's playing days are far from over. He remains under contract with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer through the end of the 2028 season, ensuring fans will continue to see him on the pitch at club level for years to come.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.