A Special Tribute for a National Hero
The Argentine league will pay tribute to Lionel Messi after his retirement from international football by pausing all of their matches in the 10th minute this weekend for a minute of applause. The Argentine Football Association announced the tribute, stating that in honour of Messi’s career with the national team, referees will stop the game at the 10th minute of play in all matches and a general minute of applause will be held. The association invited fans to join in the recognition.
His Retirement Announcement
The 39-year-old, who wore the number 10 shirt for Argentina, announced his retirement from the national side on Monday. His final game for his country was the 2026 World Cup final defeat by Spain in July. Messi captained Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, and he also won two Copa America titles with the national team.
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Record-Breaking Career with Argentina
Lionel Messi is Argentina’s appearances record holder with 207 caps. He made his international debut in 2005 as a 63rd-minute substitute in a 2-1 friendly win over Hungary. He scored a record 125 goals for his country, making him Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer. This was the first time he had retired from international football. He first retired in 2016 after a defeat by Chile in the Copa America final, where he missed a penalty in the shootout as Argentina lost a fourth major final in nine years. However, he later reversed that decision.
Records and Rivalries
Lionel Messi is the second-highest goalscorer in World Cup history with 21 goals, behind France’s Kylian Mbappe, who has 22. He is also second for goals in all internationals with 125, behind his great rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 146. These numbers show just how remarkable his career has been at the highest level.
Personal Reasons Behind the Decision
In August, Messi 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 retirement from international football, he said that following his dad’s death, he was even more convinced than before that he was making the right decision.
What’s Next for Lionel Messi
Although he has retired from international duty, Messi will continue to play in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami. He has a contract that runs to the end of the 2028 season. Having moved to Barcelona’s La Masia academy as a 13-year-old, Messi has never played senior club football in his native Argentina. Now, the Argentine league will honour him in a way that reflects his immense contribution to the national team and his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time.