Argentina's football association will stop every domestic match in the 10th minute this weekend for a minute of applause honouring 
Lionel Messi following his retirement from the national team. The 39-year-old, who wore the number 10 shirt for Argentina, announced his retirement from the national side on Monday, BBC Sport reported.
"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. The association added: "We look forward to seeing you on the fields - join us in this recognition!"
Messi's final game for his country was the 2026 World Cup final defeat by Spain in July, a tournament in which he played a key role in knocking England out in the semi-finals, BBC Sport reported. He had captained Argentina to the World Cup title in Qatar in 2022. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner holds the national appearance record with 207 caps and scored a record 125 goals for Argentina, winning the World Cup and two Copa America titles. His international debut came in 2005, as a 63rd-minute substitute in a 2-1 friendly win over Hungary. He first retired from international football in 2016, after a Copa America final defeat by Chile in which he missed a penalty in the shootout, before reversing that decision. His 21 World Cup goals are second only to France's Kylian Mbappe, on 22, and his 125 international goals trail only Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 146.
In August, Messi, who has never played senior club football in Argentina, said he was considering his future in football after the death of his father, Jorge, who died aged 68 following a long illness. When he announced his international retirement, he said that following his father's death he was "even more convinced than before" that he was making the right decision, BBC Sport reported. He will continue to play in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, where his contract runs to the end of the 2028 season.
Figures referenced: Lionel Messi. — JudgeMarket.
