Argentine League to Honor Lionel Messi with Tribute
The Argentine football league will pay tribute to Lionel Messi by pausing all domestic matches in the 10th minute this weekend for a minute of applause. This gesture follows Messi's recent retirement from international football, announced on Monday.
The 39-year-old, who captained Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup, played his final match for the national team during the 2026 World Cup final against Spain in July. The Argentine Football Association confirmed that referees will stop the games at the 10th minute to allow fans to show their appreciation for Messi's contributions.
Messi holds the record for the most appearances for Argentina with 207 caps and has scored a total of 125 international goals. He first retired from international play in 2016 but returned to lead his team to significant victories, including the World Cup and two Copa America titles. Despite his retirement from the national team, Messi will continue his career in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami until at least 2028.
